SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Content Type Template Opening Instead of Creating a New Page

Bushra Parveen Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix a configuration issue where clicking a SharePoint template from the 'New' menu opens the original template file for editing instead of generating a new, blank instance.

How to Fix SharePoint Content Type Template Opening Instead of Creating a New Page

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a new page or document using a custom SharePoint content type template in a document library.
Observed behavior: The template file itself opens directly, preventing the creation of a new instance based on the content type.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions in your SharePoint environment to modify site content types and library settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Re-create and Verify the Custom Content Type

Re-creating the content type ensures the template URL and configuration are properly registered in SharePoint to generate new instances.

When a template opens directly, it usually indicates that the template URL is improperly linked, or the file is treated as a standard document rather than a template instance. Following Microsoft's documented process to rebuild the content type will often clear the misconfiguration.

Access Site Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint site, click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'Site information' followed by 'View all site settings'.

Create a New Content Type

Under the 'Web Designer Galleries' section, click 'Site content types'. Click 'Create' to establish a new custom content type, ensuring it inherits from the correct parent type (e.g., Document).

Upload the Template File

Open the advanced settings of your newly created content type. Choose the option to upload a new document template and select the appropriate template file from your computer.

Add Content Type to Library

Go to the target Document Library, access Library Settings, and enable 'Allow management of content types' under Advanced settings. Then, add the newly created content type to the library.

Test the Configuration

Return to the document library and click the 'New' drop-down menu. Select your content type to verify that it creates a new instance instead of opening the template itself.

Re-create and Verify the Custom Content Type

Further Troubleshooting: If the issue remains, document your configuration steps, template type, and take screenshots to consult Microsoft Support for advanced diagnostics.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Professional Document Templates with WPS Office

If you need a reliable suite to design documents for SharePoint libraries, WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office. It allows you to create high-quality templates without subscription fees.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Design Your Template: Open WPS Writer, Spreadsheet, or Presentation to design your custom template with your required standard formatting and layouts.
3. Save as Standard Office Format: Go to Menu > Save As, and choose a standard Microsoft format like .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx to ensure compatibility with SharePoint.
4. Upload to SharePoint: Navigate to your SharePoint Site Settings and upload the newly created file as your custom content type template.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Easily design and edit rich document templates for your SharePoint content types.Lightweight, free-to-use, and features a familiar tabbed interface for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint template open instead of creating a new file?

This occurs when SharePoint does not recognize the file as a template instance. It usually points to a misconfiguration in the Site Content Type's advanced settings, an incorrect template URL, or the library failing to process the file generation properly.

Can I use any file type as a SharePoint content type template?

While SharePoint supports many standard Office formats (like DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), the template format must match the parent content type it is based on. For example, a content type inheriting from 'Word Document' should use a Word-compatible file as its template.

How do I change the template for an existing SharePoint library?

Navigate to your Library Settings, select 'Advanced settings', and look for the 'Document Template' section. From there, you can edit the URL of the current template or upload a new default template file directly.

Document & File Issues