Fix Missing Save as Template Option in SharePoint Online
Question details
Users are unable to locate the Save as template option in SharePoint Online, even with administrator privileges and Custom Script enabled.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to save an existing customized SharePoint Team site as a template to reuse its structure and design across other sites.
- Observed behavior
- The Save as template option is completely missing from the Site Settings menu on a modern SharePoint Online Team site.
Verify whether you are using a classic SharePoint site or a modern Team site, as the UI templating feature is exclusively restricted to classic sites.
Use Scripts and PowerShell for Modern Site Templates
Since modern SharePoint sites do not support the classic UI button, you must use site scripts and PowerShell to create and deploy site designs.
Microsoft has replaced the traditional 'Save as template' feature for modern Team sites with a programmatic approach. You will need to extract the site script, create a site design using the SharePoint Online Management Shell, and then apply it to your desired sites.
Use the Get-SPOSiteScriptFromWeb PowerShell cmdlet or the REST API to extract the JSON script of your existing modern site.
Run the Add-SPOSiteScript PowerShell command, passing your JSON payload to register the script in your SharePoint environment.
Use the Add-SPOSiteDesign cmdlet to link your newly uploaded site script to a specific site design name.
Navigate to the modern Team site where you want the template applied, click the Gear icon (Settings), select 'Apply a site template', and choose your new design from the 'From your organization' tab.
Use Classic SharePoint Sites for the Legacy Option
If you strictly need the traditional 'Save as template' UI button without using PowerShell, you must use a classic SharePoint site.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft remove the Save as template option from modern SharePoint sites?
Modern SharePoint sites are heavily integrated with Microsoft 365 Groups and rely on a different underlying architecture. The legacy 'Save as template' feature is incompatible with these modern dependencies, prompting Microsoft to replace it with PowerShell-based site scripts.
Can I enable Custom Script to bring back the template button on a modern site?
No. While enabling Custom Script is a prerequisite for saving classic sites as templates, it will not restore the missing 'Save as template' option on modern Team or Communication sites.
How do I share a modern SharePoint site design with other users?
Once you create and deploy a site design using PowerShell, it becomes automatically available to authorized users in your tenant under the 'From your organization' tab when they select 'Apply a site template' in Site Settings.
