Template Issues

How to Set a Custom Templates Folder in Word for Mac

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure Microsoft Word on a Mac to use a shared custom templates folder located outside the default Library directory.

How to Set a Custom Templates Folder in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Setting up a shared workspace or custom directory for document templates to improve team collaboration or file organization.
Observed behavior: The goal is to successfully map Word's template location to a specific shared folder and ensure proper access permissions.

Before you start

Ensure that the new folder you intend to use for custom templates is already created and that you have the appropriate read and write permissions if it is located on a shared network drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Change File Locations in Word Preferences

Modify the Workgroup templates location settings in Word to point to your shared custom folder.

By default, Microsoft Word for Mac stores templates deep within the system's hidden Library folder. Changing the 'Workgroup templates' location allows you to store and access templates from a more accessible folder, such as a shared network drive or a cloud-synced folder like OneDrive or Dropbox.

Open Word Preferences

Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. In the top Apple menu bar, click on 'Word' and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.

Navigate to File Locations

Under the 'Personal Settings' section in the Preferences window, click on the 'File Locations' icon.

Modify Workgroup Templates

Select 'Workgroup templates' from the list of file types, and then click the 'Modify' button at the bottom of the window.

Select the Shared Folder

A Finder window will appear. Navigate to your desired shared custom templates folder, select it, and click 'Open' or 'Choose'.

Verify Permissions

Close the Preferences window. Ensure file sharing is enabled on your Mac via System Settings > General > Sharing, and confirm that all required users have read/write permission to access this shared location.

Change File Locations in Word Preferences

Templates Applied Successfully: Once configured, you can access your shared templates by going to File > New from Template and looking under the 'Personal' or 'Shared' tab.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the default template folder for Word on Mac located?

By default, Microsoft Word for Mac stores user templates in the hidden Library folder. You can usually find them by navigating to ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates.

Can I use standard .dotx templates on my Mac?

Yes, Microsoft Word for Mac fully supports standard .dotx template files. You can double-click to open them directly as a new document or place them in your designated custom templates folder for easy access.

Why is the 'Modify' button grayed out in File Locations?

This typically happens if your organization's IT administrator has locked these settings via an MDM configuration profile, or if the Word application does not have the necessary 'Full Disk Access' permissions in your Mac's System Settings under Privacy & Security.

Document & File Issues