What Is SharePoint Page Template? SharePoint Definition and Guide
A SharePoint Page Template is a reusable modern page or news-post starting point saved within a SharePoint site. It preserves an approved layout, sections, web parts, and sample content so authors can create consistent pages faster without modifying the template or other pages that were previously created from it.
What SharePoint Page Template Means in SharePoint
Authors choose a template from the modern Template Gallery when creating a page or news post. Microsoft-provided templates appear alongside templates saved on that site. A site editor can create or open a suitable page, choose Save as template, and maintain the result in the site's template experience.
The relationship is copy-based, not synchronized. After a new page is created, authors can change it without affecting the template, and later edits to the template do not update existing pages. Microsoft also documents that custom page templates are site-specific and cannot currently be used across sites or groups as a single shared master.
Why It Matters to the Business
Page templates reduce blank-page anxiety and help communications teams standardize operational guides, landing pages, policies, events, and department content. They can improve accessibility and brand consistency when the pattern includes correct headings, concise sections, owners, review dates, and supported web parts.
Templates need editorial governance. Sample text can accidentally be published, copied owners can remain wrong, and outdated web parts can spread quickly. Assign each template an owner, use clear instructions and placeholders, and retire patterns that no longer match the design system.
What SharePoint Administrators Need to Know
Site owners control who can create pages and templates. Test the gallery with authors, confirm template naming and previews, and protect the template library from casual changes. Because templates are site-local, plan a distribution and update strategy when many sites need the same pattern.
Avoid unsupported custom CSS or scripts inside templates. Use accessible native web parts, approved SPFx components, Brand Center assets, and documented page standards. Audit pages created from templates for required metadata, review dates, broken links, mobile layout, and accessibility.
What to Consider
Design for authors
Use clear sections, sample content, instructions, and a small number of approved choices so the template speeds work without encouraging careless publishing.
Account for site scope
Custom page templates are site-specific; define how common patterns are copied, versioned, communicated, and retired across an intranet.
Audit published pages
A strong template reduces errors but does not guarantee accurate content, owners, metadata, accessibility, links, or review dates.
Practical Takeaway
Use Page Templates as governed authoring accelerators, with site-level ownership, accessible patterns, unmistakable placeholder guidance, and a plan for version changes.
How This Shows Up in the Field
Operational guide
A template provides overview, audience, prerequisites, steps, escalation, owner, and review-date sections so teams publish consistent procedures.
Department landing page
Authors start from a branded accessible layout, replace sample content, validate links and mobile behavior, and publish without altering the original template.
Page and Site Templates
| SharePoint Page Template | A site-local reusable page or news starting point that copies layout, web parts, and sample content. |
|---|---|
| SharePoint Site Template | A tenant-registered configuration that applies site scripts to provision supported site elements. |
| Copy of this page | Duplicates one existing page for an immediate starting point but does not create a governed gallery template. |
Related SharePoint Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Page Template changes update existing pages?
No. A new page starts as a copy of the selected template. Later template edits do not automatically update pages already created from it.
Can a custom Page Template be used across SharePoint sites?
Microsoft's current support guidance says custom page templates cannot be used across sites or groups. Organizations need a governed copying or provisioning strategy for common patterns.
Can a SharePoint home page become a page template?
Microsoft documents that page templates cannot be created from home pages. Build a suitable standard modern page or news post and save that as the template instead.
Official Microsoft References
Editorial review date: July 13, 2026. Product status and licensing can change; confirm current Microsoft documentation before implementation.
Put SharePoint Page Template to work with a clear plan
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