SharePoint modern page link to .dotx template opens the template not a new document

Question

Has anyone come up with a solution to this issue? I don't want anyone editing the actual template, ever.

I don't see SharePoint listed in the Apps under Microsoft 365 and Office so I'm choosing Word.

Answer 1

Dear Jim, 

Good day! Thank you for your detail information.  

Format the Link to Create a New Document Since users will be clicking a hyperlink, you can format the link like this: 

https://yourdomain.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite/Shared%20Documents/yourtemplate.dotx?action=default 

Replace: 

• yourdomain with your organization’s SharePoint domain
• yoursite with the name of your SharePoint site
• yourtemplate.dotx with the exact name of your template file

This link tells Word Online to treat the file as a template and open a new document from it. The original .dotx file remains untouched and protected. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like help applying these steps to your site. We're here to support you every step of the way. 

Warm regards, 

Vy-Ng - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Dear Jim, 

Good day! Thank you for your detail information. I understand you're using a Work account, storing your .dotx template in a SharePoint document library, and linking to it from a modern SharePoint page. Your goal is to ensure users can create new Word documents from the template without ever editing the original file. I’m happy to guide you through a solution that’s secure and easy to implement. 

1. Upload the Template to SharePoint 

• Go to your SharePoint site and open the document library where you want to store the template.
• Upload your .dotx file to this library.

2. Set the Template as the Default for New Documents 

• In the document library, click the gear icon (⚙️) > Library Settings.
• Select Advanced Settings.
• Under Document Template, paste the full URL of your .dotx file.
• Click OK to save.

This setup allows users to click New > Word Document in the library, which automatically creates a new document based on your template without opening the original. 

Additional Tips 

• The “Read Only” setting from Windows Explorer doesn’t apply once the file is uploaded to SharePoint. To protect the template, you can adjust permissions in SharePoint so users only have View access to the file.
• If you’d like help setting up permissions or generating the correct link, I’d be happy to assist further.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like help applying these steps to your site. We're here to support you every step of the way. 

Warm regards, 

Vy-Ng - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 3

But they are not going to go to the library, they are clicking a hyperlink. Will you solution still work then?

Answer 4

1. Work
2. SharePoint document library
3. Hyperlink on a modern SharePoint page
4. Open a new Word document based on the template. I don't care where it opens as long as it's not the actual template.
5. Just the Read Only property I gave the file when it was in Explorer.

Answer 5

Dear Jim, 

Good day! Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Support Community and sharing your experience. I understand you're experiencing an issue where a link to a .dotx template on a SharePoint modern page opens the template itself, rather than creating a new document. I’d be happy to help you with this. 

To better assist you, could you please help clarify a few details? 

1. What type of Microsoft account are you using? 
   (For example: Work or School account, Personal Microsoft account, or a Guest account)
2. Where is the .dotx template stored? 
   Is it in a SharePoint document library, OneDrive, or another location?
3. How are you linking to the template? 
   Are you using a hyperlink on a modern SharePoint page, a button, or another method?
4. What behavior are you expecting when users click the link? 
   Should it open a new Word document based on the template in Word Online or in the desktop app?
5. Are there any permissions or restrictions set on the template file or the library where it’s stored?

Please reply with the answers to the questions above and let us know if any of the steps helped. We’re committed to helping you regain access as quickly as possible. 

Warm regards, 

Vy-Ng - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist