How to create an email template in new Outlook and web app

Does the new Outlook have email templates?

Yes, it does. Unlike the .oft files in the classic desktop version, accessing these templates doesn't require digging through numerous menus. Simply, head to the Message tab while composing an email, and you'll spot the My Templates icon under More options.

In the new Outlook, Microsoft has indeed emphasized simplicity, which means some advanced features are not available. While you can add small images and apply basic formatting, you won't find options to preset message fields like To, Cc, Bcc, Subject, or attach files.

Essentially, the templates in the new Outlook seem designed for small text-only content. However, they are still useful for creating consistent emails and saving time.

How to create email templates in new Outlook

Creating an email template in the new Outlook is simple and straightforward. Here's how you can do it:

1. Start by composing a new message or replying to an existing one.
2. Head over to the Message tab.
3. Click the More options button (…) in the top menu, and then pick My Templates under Add-ins.
4. You'll find some default samples there. To craft your own template, hit the + Template button.
5. In the provided fields, enter a title and your message content. Alternatively, you can directly type and format your message in the email window, then copy and paste it into the template – it will retain the formatting.
6. Once you're satisfied with the result, click Save.

That's it! You're all set to reply with template in the new Outlook.

On the next start, when creating a new email, keep an eye out for the My Templates button on the toolbar. It might be right there, ready for you to access your canned responses. If you don't see the button on the toolbar, don't worry! Just perform the above steps again to open the pane.

How to use email templates in new Outlook

Using canned responses in the new Outlook is a game-changer for productivity. Here are simple steps to insert a template into your messages:

1. In a message you are composing or replying to, navigate to the Message tab.
2. Click the More options button and select My Templates from the dropdown menu.
3. In the pane, click on the template you want to use.

Done! With just a couple of clicks, pre-designed content is inserted into your email.

How to access templates in Outlook web app

To access email templates in Outlook on the web (Outlook 365 online for work and school accounts), this is what you need to do:

1. In the Outlook web app, create a new mail.
2. On the Message or Insert tab, click the Apps button.
3. Select My Templates from the list of available applications. If it's not visible, click on the Add apps button to add it.
4. The templates panel will appear on the right side of your screen. From there, you can choose one of the inbuilt templates or create your own ones.

How to edit email template in new Outlook and web

Editing email templates in the new Outlook is also incredibly simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the My Templates pane.
2. Locate the item you want to edit and click the Edit template icon on the right.
3. Make the desired changes to the content.
4. Once you've finished editing, click Save to apply the changes.

How to delete email template in new Outlook

To permanently delete a certain template from your Outlook, do this:

1. Open the My Templates pane.
2. Find the item you wish to remove and click the Delete template icon on the right.

This way, you can easily declutter your template library and keep it organized in the new Outlook.

Template cannot be saved: too large to save error

If you've encountered a problem while attempting to save a template in the new Outlook or Outlook 365 web app, you are likely to get one of these errors:

• This template is too large to save. Please make it smaller, then try to save it again.
• Your template couldn't be saved. Please try again later.

Cause: This issue arises when the content of the My Templates app exceeds 32 KB.

Solution: To resolve this problem, delete outdated items that you no longer use or shorten large ones to reduce their size. Ensure that the total size of all templates is less than 32 KB.

Limitations of email templates in new Outlook and web app

While the new Outlook and the online version of Outlook 365 prioritize simplicity and user-friendliness, there are some drawbacks compared to the classic Outlook .oft templates. Here are the key limitations to be aware of:

• Inability to use graphics and images. While you can incorporate very small images or emojis directly into email templates, utilizing larger graphics is a no-go due to the 32KB limit on the combined size of all content.
• Inability to attach files. Another limitation is the inability to attach files within email templates. This can be inconvenient if you frequently send messages with attachments, as you'll need to manually add them each time.
• Inability to auto-fill email fields. Unlike email templates in the classic desktop Outlook app, which allow you to predefine message fields such as To, Cc, Bcc, and Subject, the new Outlook lacks this functionality. You'll need to enter these details manually for each message.

In general, while sacrificing some advanced features, Outlook and its web app focus on making it simple and fast to do common tasks. You should consider these pros and cons in relation to your particular needs when choosing to use the new Outlook or go back to the old version.

My Templates missing in new Outlook

After Microsoft's October 2023 update for the new Outlook, some users reported the disappearance of the My Templates feature from the Message tab. While subsequent updates have fixed this issue for many, some users may still encounter it. If you find that the My Templates app is missing in your Outlook, try these troubleshooting techniques:

Full-featured email templates for new Outlook

If you find that the capabilities of the built-in app aren't quite meeting your needs, then our Shared Email Templates might be just what you're looking for. Comfortably residing in its own pane, much like the native templates, this add-in offers all the capabilities of the traditional .oft templates and a whole lot more:

• Use templates personally or share with your team.
• Pre-fill any email fields such as Cc, Bcc or Subject line.
• Insert images and attach files automatically.
• Add fillable text fields, drop-down lists, and date-picker calendars.
• Apply basic formatting within the in-place editor or create beautiful HTML-based designs.
• Insert different parts of a template based on specific conditions, ensuring your messages are always relevant.
• Dynamically pull related info from Excel sheets and insert it into the message where appropriate.
• Personalize your emails in many different ways, e.g. by inserting the recipient's name in the greeting and subject line.