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How to Restore a SharePoint Site Template in Office 365
Question details
The user needs to revert a SharePoint site to its previous template layout after a new template has been applied.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing site design and applying templates in SharePoint Online.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint Online displays a template history but lacks a direct 'undo' or 'restore' button to instantly revert to a previously applied site template.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Site Administrator permissions before attempting to modify site information and reapply templates in SharePoint.
Manually Reapply the Previous SharePoint Site Template
Since SharePoint does not offer a one-click restore function for templates, you must identify your previous layout from the history logs and manually reapply it to your site.
Applying a new template changes the site's layout, theme, and pre-populated web parts, but your existing content (lists, libraries, and documents) remains intact. You can use the built-in template history to find your old design and configure it again.
Click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of your SharePoint site. Select 'Site information', then click 'View template history' to see the exact name of the previously used template.
Return to the Settings menu and select 'Apply a site template'. Locate the template you identified from the history logs and apply it to your site.
Navigate to Site settings to manually reconfigure your site navigation menus and links so they match your previous structural layout.
Go to 'Site contents' and open the 'Site Pages' library. Find your original home page, click the vertical ellipsis (three dots) next to the file name, and select 'Make homepage'.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely undo a SharePoint site template application with one click?
No, SharePoint Online does not currently offer a one-click 'undo' feature for site templates. You must manually reapply the previous template and restore your pages and navigation menus.
Will applying a new template delete my existing SharePoint content?
No, applying a site template only changes the visual design, layout, and pre-populated web parts. Your existing documents, lists, libraries, and site data remain completely intact.
Who has permission to change or apply templates on a SharePoint site?
Only users with Site Owner or Site Administrator permissions can access the 'Site information' settings to view template history or apply new templates to a SharePoint site.
Where do I find the SharePoint template history logs?
You can find the template history by clicking the Settings gear icon in the top right, selecting 'Site information', and then clicking the 'View template history' link at the bottom of the panel.
