Create and Use Email Templates in Outlook

Updated November 08, 2019

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When you frequently send very similar emails, save one of these messages as a message template first in Outlook. Then, instead of creating the email from scratch, start with a template and customize it to fit your email recipient. You'll save time and become more efficient at your email tasks.

Instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007; and Outlook for Office 365.

Create an Email Template (for New Messages) in Outlook

To save a message as a template in Outlook:

Create a new email message. Select Home > New Email. Or, press Ctrl+N.
Enter a Subject if you want to use one for your message template.

You can save an email template without a default subject in Outlook.
Enter text, images, and other elements you want to appear in the email message template.

Remove signatures if you set up Outlook to add a signature automatically when you create a new message.
Once you've set up your email template, select File > Save As. In Outlook 2007, select Office Button > Save As.
Enter a file name.
Select the Save as type dropdown arrow and choose Outlook Template (*.oft). In Outlook 2007, select the Save as type dropdown arrow and choose Outlook Template.
Select Save.
Close the original email.

Compose an Email Using a Template in Outlook

To write a new message (see below for replies) using a message template in Outlook:

Go to Home and select New Items > More Items > Choose Form. In Outlook 2007, select Tools > Forms > Choose Form.
In the Choose Form dialog box, select the Look in dropdown arrow and choose User Templates in File System.
Choose the template you want to use.
Select Open.

Create a Simple Email Template for Quick Replies in Outlook

To set up a template for replies in Outlook:

Go to the Home tab.
In the Quick Steps group, select Create New.
In the Name text box, enter a descriptive name for the reply template.
Select the Choose an Action dropdown arrow.
In the Respond section, select Reply.

To set up a simple template for new messages that include a default recipient, select New Message.
Select Show Options.
In the Text text box, enter the message for your reply. Do include a signature.
Select the Importance dropdown arrow and choose Normal to have your reply go out with normal importance regardless of the original message's level.
Optionally, select the Automatically send after 1 minute delay check box. The message automatically goes to the Outbox and stays in the Outbox for 1 minute. During this time, you can delete it or make an edit.
To add further actions, select Add Action. For example, add an action to move the original message to your archive folder or add an action to categorize it with a color to identify messages that received a boilerplate answer.
To add a keyboard shortcut for the action, select the Shortcut key dropdown arrow and choose a shortcut.
Select Save. In Outlook 2019, select Finish.

Reply to an Email Fast Using a Quick Reply Template in Outlook

To send a reply with a pre-defined Quick Step template:

Select the message to which you want to reply. Either open the message in the Reading pane or in a separate window.
If the message displays in the Reading pane, go to the Home tab. If the message appears in a separate window, go to the Message tab.
In the Quick Steps group, select the reply template quick step. If you defined a keyboard shortcut for the action, press the corresponding keyboard keys.
Make changes to the email as needed, then select Send.