New Outlook Email Templates finally give users a clean, modern way to reuse messages without relying on outdated tools like OFT files or the limited My Templates add-in. If you’re wondering how to use templates, import your old ones, or build new ones directly inside New Outlook, this guide gives you the complete breakdown.
Watch the full step-by-step tutorial:
Stop Rewriting Emails: New Outlook Mail Templates Tutorial Explained
Use an Email Template in New Outlook
You can start an email template directly from the New from the Home menu.
How to compose an email from a template:
- Home > New > Mail from template
- Pick a template from the library
- The email opens with all formatting, images, and layout already in place
This is the fastest way to send consistent replies, announcements, onboarding emails, and recurring communication.
Import Your Classic OFT Templates
New Outlook supports importing your old OFT files, but only one at a time. Beginning in 1Q2026, Microsoft will support uploading multiple OFT files at once.
Use that limitation to clean up years of unused templates.
Import steps:
- Select + Add template
- Copy the folder path that houses your current OFT files
Tip: Microsoft has provided the path for you.
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates - Paste the path into File Explorer
- Choose your OFT file
- Rename the template if needed
- Click Add
Now your Classic template appears inside New Outlook, ready for reuse.
Create New Outlook Email Templates Within the App
You can build a brand-new template directly inside New Outlook—no Classic Outlook required.
Steps to create your own template:
- Start a new email or open an existing email
- Add text, images, links, tables, formatting, and anything else you need
- Go to Message > Mail Template > Save email as a template
- Note: You can add up to 50 email templates in New Outlook. Non-Microsoft Accounts are unsupported.
Two important points:
- Edit Mode prevents accidental sends
When editing a template, Send is automatically disabled so you don’t distribute it unintentionally. Save the template immediately to lock it in. You can rename the template before saving
Whatever is in the Subject field becomes the template name, but you can change it.
Share a Template Using “Forward as OFT”
New Outlook includes an easy way to share a template with coworkers:
- Message > Mail Template > Forward as OFT
They can open the OFT file and save it to their own template library.
This is the fastest way to distribute standardized messages across a team.
Where Are the New Outlook Email Templates Stored?
Templates you create in New Outlook are not saved on your device and do not appear in the Classic Outlook template folder.
Important details:
- New Outlook templates are stored in a hidden Microsoft cloud library
- They will not show up in the local %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates folder
- You cannot save New Outlook templates into the Classic OFT folder (you’ll get a system-file restriction error)
- Templates created in New Outlook cannot be used in Classic Outlook
- You can export your New Outlook templates for backup if desired
Example of a personal backup folder (optional use):
Documents\New Outlook Templates YYYY Backup
If you want to see how the hidden cloud storage behaves, or why the Classic folder rejects New Outlook templates, refer to the demonstration in the full video.
Should You Still Use the My Templates Add-In?
In my opinion, no. The My Templates add-in is limited.
Problems with My Templates:
- Very small storage limits
- No support for images, tables, or hyperlinks
- Naming restrictions that cause confusion
- Not designed for modern workflows
Microsoft is aware that the naming convention between Mail Templates and My Templates is confusing and has confirmed they are considering changes. They have not announced what will change or when it will happen.
My recommendation: retire My Templates entirely, move everything to the modern Mail Templates experience.
Final Thoughts
New Outlook Mail Templates modernize email workflows that used to depend on clunky OFT files. Whether you’re pulling in old templates or creating new ones from scratch, these tools help you standardize messages, reduce manual typing, and maintain consistent communication.
If your team sends repeated messages—status updates, onboarding emails, request confirmations, announcements—build your shared library now and streamline everything.
