How to Use SharePoint Modern Document Library Templates

Last Updated on March 12, 2024

Saw the new templates for libraries?

In this guide, you will learn how to use these document library templates in SharePoint Online, and the benefits of doing so.

Let’s get started!

What are document library templates?

Similar to list templates, document library templates are premade templates.

They will allow you to streamline the creation and document management in SharePoint Online.

Each template will contain:

• Metadata columns
• Custom flows
• Document library views
• Formatting

Currently, there are only three templates available. But we can expect this to change as more updates go live.

Related: SharePoint Document Library Types: Differences Between Them

How to Use Document Library Templates

The steps now are fairly the same with creating a new SharePoint list and using a list template.

Let’s talk about each step:

1. Create a new document library

To get started:

• Navigate to the target site
• Click the new button > document library option

This will open a window within the page.

2. Choose a template

As you can see, there are three templates available:

• Media library
• Invoices
• Learning

Simply click on the template you want to use

By the way, you can start from scratch or an existing library from other sites using the buttons above the templates.

3. Preview the template

On the next page, you will see a preview of what the document library will look like when filled with content.

On the right side of the preview, you can see a summary and features of that template.

Well, for the features, what you will see are actually the things that will be included with the template.

Unfortunately, similar to using a list template, the site contents in the preview won’t be imported.

Why use a document library template?

But why use these custom templates at all?

Well, there are a few reasons why:

• Save time and reduce effort in setting up new document libraries
• Ensure consistency across SharePoint document libraries
• Standardize metadata, views, and permissions

Instead of designing a library from scratch, you can simply use the templates to get most of what you need right away.

For example, if you’re planning on creating a media library anyway, why not use the template that has most of what you need?

Got any questions about the new document library templates in Microsoft SharePoint? Leave a comment.

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