Upgrade Your Office Experience with Branded Templates
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Understanding Custom Branded Organization Templates
- The Importance of Custom Branded Templates
- Steps to Create Custom Branded Templates
4.1 Saving the Template File
4.2 Uploading the Template to SharePoint
4.3 Converting the Document Repository to a Template Repository
- Accessing Custom Branded Templates on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
5.1 Accessing Templates on Windows
5.2 Accessing Templates on Mac
5.3 Accessing Templates on the Web
- Benefits of Using Custom Branded Templates
- Limitations and Considerations
7.1 SharePoint and Global Admin Access
7.2 Licensing Requirements
7.3 Propagation Time for Template Library
- Conclusion
Article:
How to Load Custom Branded Organization Templates to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Start Pages
Introduction
In today's digital age, establishing a recognizable and consistent brand identity is essential for any organization. From fonts to images, every Detail contributes to creating a Cohesive brand image that resonates with customers and partners. When it comes to creating presentations, documents, and spreadsheets, using custom-branded templates not only ensures a professional and uniform look but also reinforces the company's brand identity.
Understanding Custom Branded Organization Templates
Custom branded organization templates refer to pre-designed templates that incorporate a company's specific branding elements. These templates typically feature the organization's chosen fonts, logos, color schemes, and imagery. By using these templates, employees can create content that aligns with the company's brand guidelines, providing a consistent and visually appealing experience for recipients.
The Importance of Custom Branded Templates
Custom branded templates play a crucial role in maintaining brand consistency and professionalism across various communication channels. Whether it's a presentation, a report, or a spreadsheet, using templates helps employees save time and effort while ensuring that each document adheres to the organization's branding guidelines. This consistency builds trust, reinforces brand recognition, and enhances the overall Perception of the company.
Steps to Create Custom Branded Templates
To load custom branded organization templates to the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint start pages, follow these steps:
- Saving the Template File
To create a custom branded template, start by opening the desired document, presentation, or spreadsheet in the respective Microsoft Office application. Then, go to the "File" menu and select "Save As." Choose the desired location, such as the desktop, and select the "PowerPoint Template" (potx) format. Specify a descriptive file name, reflecting the organization or template's purpose, and save the file.
- Uploading the Template to SharePoint
To make the custom branded template accessible to all employees, it needs to be uploaded to a SharePoint document repository. Navigate to the office.com Website and sign in with a SharePoint or global admin account. Select SharePoint from the available options and choose the desired site to store the templates. Create a new document library or select an existing one that will serve as the template repository. Upload the saved template file to this document repository.
- Converting the Document Repository to a Template Repository
To convert the document repository into a template repository, access the SharePoint Online Management Shell. If not already installed, download and install the SharePoint Online Management Shell. Once installed, launch the SharePoint Online Management Shell from the start menu. Log in as an administrator using either username and password or multi-factor authentication. Run the PowerShell command provided in the instructions, ensuring to customize the library URL and template library name. Follow the Prompts and confirm any necessary actions.
Accessing Custom Branded Templates on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
After successfully loading the custom branded templates to the SharePoint template repository, You can access them on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint start pages.
- Accessing Templates on Windows
Open the desired Office application, such as PowerPoint, on a Windows computer. Click on "New" to create a new document, presentation, or spreadsheet. Under the available templates, check the "Personal Templates" category or the organization's name, which appears as the template repository name. Select the desired template to create a new document Based on the custom branded template.
- Accessing Templates on Mac
On a Mac computer, the process of accessing custom branded templates is similar. Open the desired Office application, like PowerPoint, and click on "File." Then, select "New from Template" or "New Document from Template." Navigate to the "Personal" or template repository section to locate and select the custom branded template.
- Accessing Templates on the Web
To access custom branded templates through the web, open the desired Office application through the Office Online portal. Upon opening a new document, presentation, or spreadsheet, browse for the "Templates" folder. Under this folder, locate the template repository folder named after the organization or designated name. Inside the repository folder, select the desired custom branded template to create a new document.
Benefits of Using Custom Branded Templates
Using custom branded templates offers several advantages for organizations:
- Ensures brand consistency across all communication materials.
- Saves time for employees by providing ready-to-use templates.
- Enhances professionalism and visual appeal of documents and presentations.
- Strengthens brand identity and recognition among recipients.
- Streamlines the process of creating new content while adhering to brand guidelines.
Limitations and Considerations
While using custom branded templates provides numerous benefits, there are a few limitations and considerations to keep in mind.
- SharePoint and Global Admin Access
To follow the steps outlined in this guide, SharePoint or global admin access is required. However, if you do not have the necessary permissions, you can easily share this video with your admin for assistance.
- Licensing Requirements
For employees to view and use the custom branded templates, they need to have either an E3 or E5 license. These licenses provide access to the desktop apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ensure that the appropriate licensing is in place for your employees to utilize the custom templates seamlessly.
- Propagation Time for Template Library
After converting the document repository to a template repository, it may take some time for the changes to propagate fully. The Microsoft service utilizes caching, which can cause a delay in the appearance of the template library. Be patient, and check back periodically to verify that the template library is accessible to all employees.
Conclusion
Loading custom branded organization templates to the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint start pages is a powerful way to maintain brand consistency and enhance the visual appeal of documents and presentations. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, organizations can ensure that all employees have easy access to the official templates that Align with their branding guidelines. Empowering employees to create professional and branded content contributes to reinforcing the company's image and delivering a consistent experience to customers and partners. Start leveraging custom branded templates today and elevate your organization's visual identity.