Google Docs is an excellent word processing platform. It is free, web-based and offers seamless collaboration between users. It’s no surprise that Google’s offering is popular among small businesses, educational institutions, and individuals. While you can always compose a document from scratch, the real treasure is in Google Docs templates.
Using templates, it is possible to quickly create a flyer, business letter, corporate notebook, brochure, etc. professional looking. Google has quite a few templates. The internet is full of third-party developers creating specific Google Docs templates based on different categories. But what if you want more customization and better template control in Google Docs? In this case, you must create one or use the existing template and make the necessary changes.
Why would you need a custom template in Google Docs? If you find yourself creating the same document layout over and over again, you can save a lot of time with a template.
This article will explain how to create a custom template in Google Docs using different background colors, font styles, types, etc. Let’s start.
Choose a model
First, you need to decide how you want to create a template in Google Docs. You can either start using the blank document or select a beautiful template and make necessary changes to it. We will discuss both methods here.
Let’s create a template using a blank canvas. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Visit Google Docs on the web.
2nd step: Tap the + icon and choose a blank canvas.
Step 3: Give the template a meaningful name.
Now let’s design a model with relevant details.
Add background color
If you’re not a fan of the boring Google Docs background, you can change it to your favorite color. Follow the steps below to change the background color in Google Docs. If the white background suits you, skip this section.
Step 1: Open the File menu and select the option labeled Page Setup.
2nd step: Expand the color picker under Page Color.
Step 3: Select the color you want from the presets provided.
Select Custom if you want to refine your color selection. You can also add a hex color code to get the exact background color you want.
You can also click Set as Default if you want the selected color to automatically apply to new documents. It won’t affect older documents – you have to manually change the color of each one if you have to.
Now that you’ve selected the template’s background color, let’s add the relevant details.
Add text, company logo and horizontal lines
You can use title, subtitle, heading 1/2/3 and add relevant details to the document. I added the company name, slogan and address. So I don’t have to worry about them anymore.
Press the Insert menu, select Image > Upload from Computer. Add the company logo and keep it in a preferable place. I kept it in the upper right corner.
To add horizontal lines, select Insert > Horizontal Line. This gives a nice break in the layout of a document.
Now you can add common text to a Google Docs document. For example, you can write guidelines, rules, and some common company onboarding details.
Use a third-party template
The method mentioned above is the simple trick to create a custom template on Google Docs. You can also opt for a third-party template and make minor changes to it. Let me show you an example.
In the image below I have uploaded the sales template for Google Docs. I opened the document in the app and made relevant changes such as company name, address, email and phone number.
Now I can save the template and from next time I just have to edit minor details like sale items, discount rate, sale name, etc. Within minutes, I have a ready-to-use flyer to send out for printing.
Save and reuse Google Docs templates
After making the necessary changes, tap on the move folder menu and save the template to a Google Drive folder. Now remember this is your main template file in Google Docs. You should not make any changes to the original file.
Whenever you want to use the template to create a quick document, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Visit Google Drive on the web and find the template you want to use.
2nd step: Open the template in Google Docs.
Step 3: Don’t make any changes now as it will mess up the original custom document.
Step 4: Instead, tap File > Make a Copy and save it to Google Drive.
Now go ahead and edit the necessary details in the template, and you are good to go.
Create Google Docs on the go
Designing a custom Google Docs template can save you a lot of time when you frequently deal with the same type of documents in the app. Go ahead and create a custom Google Docs template to simplify the process. Let us know how you plan to use the custom template feature in Google Docs in the comments section below.
Next: Improve your work efficiency with Google Docs. Read the article below to know more about eleven best Google Docs templates to increase productivity.
