SharePoint Document Issues

How to Edit an Outlook Template Stored in SharePoint

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to update an Outlook template (.oft file) located in a SharePoint document library without having to download it, edit it, and manually re-upload it.

How to Edit an Outlook Template Stored in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing an existing Outlook template directly from a SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: Clicking the .oft file in SharePoint opens it as a new email draft in Outlook rather than providing an option to edit the original template file and save the changes back to SharePoint.

Before you start

Ensure that you have the Microsoft OneDrive sync client installed on your computer and that you have edit permissions for the SharePoint document library where the template is stored.

Solution 1Recommended

Synchronize the SharePoint Library Using OneDrive

Because SharePoint Online cannot directly open .oft files for editing in Outlook, syncing the library locally allows you to edit the file and have changes automatically upload back to SharePoint.

Using OneDrive to sync your SharePoint document library creates a local bridge. Any edits made to the .oft file in the synced folder on your PC will automatically synchronize back to SharePoint online, eliminating the need to manually download and upload.

Navigate to the SharePoint library

Open your web browser, log in to SharePoint Online, and navigate to the document library that contains the Outlook template (.oft) you want to edit.

Sync the library to your computer

Click the 'Sync' button located in the toolbar at the top of the document library. Allow your browser to open Microsoft OneDrive when prompted to complete the sync setup.

Access the synced folder

Open File Explorer on your computer and look for your organization's name in the left navigation pane. Click it to find the newly synced SharePoint folder.

Open the template for editing

Locate the .oft file in the synced folder. Right-click the file, select 'Open with', and choose 'Outlook' (or open Outlook, go to File > Open & Export, and browse to the file). This ensures you edit the template rather than creating a new email.

Save your changes

Make your desired changes to the template and click 'Save'. Do not use 'Save As'. Close Outlook, and OneDrive will automatically sync the updated template back to SharePoint.

Synchronize the SharePoint Library Using OneDrive

Automatic Synchronization: Once saved locally, look for the green checkmark icon next to the file in File Explorer. This indicates that OneDrive has successfully synchronized your updated template to SharePoint.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an .oft file open as a new email instead of the template itself?

By design, double-clicking an .oft file in Windows or opening it from a browser triggers Outlook to create a new message based on that template. To edit the template itself, you must open it directly from within the Outlook application or use the 'Open with' right-click menu.

Can I edit an Outlook template directly in the browser using SharePoint Online?

No, SharePoint Online and Outlook on the web do not support native editing of .oft files in the browser. You must use the desktop version of Outlook to make modifications.

How do I ensure my edited Outlook template is saved back to SharePoint?

If you have synced the SharePoint folder using the OneDrive client, simply saving the .oft file in your local synced directory will trigger OneDrive to automatically upload the updated file back to your SharePoint document library.

Document & File Issues