How to Create a Custom Template in Apple Pages

You can create your own templates using Apple Pages . Here's a guide to creating your own custom templates in Apple Pages .

Apple's Pages app comes with default templates in different styles like resumes, certificates, books, magazines, etc. They can meet all your needs.

However, sometimes you need a template that isn't available in Pages. At this point, you can follow the instructions below to create your own custom template in Pages on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Create a custom template in Pages

You can create a new template from scratch or adjust an existing template to your liking. When saving a custom template, it is added to the Pages templates. You can access it on all devices registered with the same Apple ID.

On iPhone or iPad

To create a template on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

1. On Pages, tap the plus icon in the top left corner to create a document.
2. To tweak an existing template, select Choose a Template . To create a template from scratch, select Start Writing . Next, format the template as needed.
3. When finished formatting, tap the 3 dots in the top right corner of the document, then tap Export > Pages Template . Alternatively, you can tap the Share button at the top, select Export and Send > select Pages Template .
4. Select Add to Template Chooser in the next menu.

After adding the template to the Template Chooser , it will appear in the Templates folder named My Template . You'll see it on all Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID, but only if you have iCloud Drive turned on .

To rename a custom template, long-press the template and select Rename . Next, enter a new name and tap Rename .

You can delete a custom template, but this will delete it on any devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Drive installed. To do this, go to My Templates in Pages. Next, touch & hold a template, then tap Delete . Tap Delete again . It's done!

On Mac

Here's how you can create a template on Mac:

1. Open Pages , select New Document .
2. Select an existing template or a blank document.
3. Format your document. You can use Apple 's Continuity feature to insert sketches or add photos to your iPhone or iPad.
4. After formatting the document, click File in the menu bar, and then select Save as Template .
5. Select Add to Template Chooser . The template will appear in My Templates .

To rename a custom template. Ctrl-click the template, then select Rename . Then enter a new name and press the Return key . To delete a custom template, Ctrl-click the template, then select Delete .

How to import a custom template in Pages

If you don't want to create a template from scratch or change an existing one, you can import a template from elsewhere. You can find templates on Apple Pages from a variety of sites.

On iPhone or iPad

You can import a custom template shared via AirDrop in Pages on iPhone/iPad, or install a template you've created on another device.

Whether you downloaded a sample file on the Internet or received it via email, AirDrop or iMessages, you can follow these steps to install it.

1. Tap the template file to open it in Pages . It will have a .template extension .
2. Next, tap the Share button , and then tap Export and Send .
3. Select Pages Template > Add to Template Chooser .

On Mac

Just like on iPhone, you can install a custom template downloaded from a web or received via email, AirDrop, or iMessage. The details of each step are as follows:

1. Click the sample file to open it in Pages . It will be in .template format.
2. Save the created template you want by clicking File > Save as Template from the menu bar.

Here's how to create a custom Apple Pages template . Hope the article is useful to you.

Lesley Montoya

Update 27 June 2023