Template Issues

How to Make SharePoint Excel Templates Create New Files Online

Rana Garcia Oct 13, 2026 868 views

Question details

Configure SharePoint so that clicking an Excel template creates a new workbook instead of opening the template for editing.

How to Make SharePoint Excel Templates Create New Files Online

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user wants to utilize an Excel template (.xltx) in a SharePoint document library to generate new, blank workbooks for their team.
Observed behavior: When clicking the .xltx template directly in the document library, SharePoint opens the actual template file for editing instead of creating a new workbook based on it.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions in your SharePoint site, as you will need to access and modify Site Content Types.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a SharePoint Document Content Type

By configuring a custom Site Content Type, you can add your Excel template to the document library's 'New' menu. This forces SharePoint to generate a new file rather than editing the template.

By design, clicking an .xltx file directly from a SharePoint document library opens the template itself. To provide a seamless experience where users can generate new documents from the template, you must link the template to the library's creation menu via Content Types.

Create a New Content Type

Navigate to your SharePoint site and click the gear icon to open 'Site Settings'. Under Web Designer Galleries, select 'Site Content Types' and click 'Create' to make a new Document Content Type.

Upload the Excel Template

Click on your newly created Content Type and go to 'Advanced settings'. Select the option to 'Upload a new document template', browse for your .xltx Excel template, and click 'OK'.

Enable Library Content Types

Navigate to the specific document library where you want to use the template. Click the gear icon to open 'Library settings', go to 'Advanced settings', and toggle 'Allow management of content types' to 'Yes'.

Add Content Type to Library

Return to the Library settings page and scroll down to the Content Types section. Click 'Add from existing site content types', select your custom template content type, and add it to the library.

Create New Workbooks

Go to the default view of your document library. Click the 'New' dropdown menu at the top of the library; your Excel template will now appear as an option to create a fresh workbook.

Configuration Complete: Users can now select the template from the 'New' menu to create new workbooks without accidentally overwriting the original template design.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Use Spreadsheet Templates Seamlessly with WPS Office

If managing SharePoint's template configurations feels overly complex, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that comes with a vast built-in template gallery, making it incredibly easy to standardize and generate new documents for your team.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application and navigate to the 'Spreadsheet' section on the main dashboard.
2. Access the Template Gallery: Click on 'New' to open the extensive Template Library, where you can browse or search for specific spreadsheet layouts.
3. Generate a New File: Select your desired template and click 'Use Now' to instantly create a new, editable workbook without altering the original design.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xltx) and features.Extensive built-in template library for instant and hassle-free document creation.Free and lightweight with a familiar user interface for immediate adoption.Built-in WPS Cloud allows easy template sharing and seamless file management without complex setup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint open my .xltx file instead of creating a new one?

This is SharePoint's default behavior. Clicking directly on any file in a document library, including templates, opens that specific file for editing. To trigger the creation of a new file, the template must be integrated into the library's 'New' menu using Site Content Types.

Can I use this Content Type method for Word and PowerPoint templates as well?

Yes, the exact same process applies. You can create custom Content Types for Word (.dotx) and PowerPoint (.potx) templates, upload them in the advanced settings, and add them to your document library's 'New' menu.

Do I need special permissions to add a template to the 'New' menu?

Yes, you typically need Site Owner or Site Administrator permissions to access Site Settings and create new Site Content Types, as these settings affect the broader SharePoint environment.

Document & File Issues