How to save a PowerPoint file as a template (.potx)
How to save a PowerPoint file as a template (.potx)
Go to File > Save As, choose your save location, and change the "Save as type" dropdown from PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx) to PowerPoint Template (.potx). Click Save. The .potx format tells PowerPoint to treat the file as a template: when someone opens it, PowerPoint creates a new untitled presentation based on the template rather than opening the template itself. The original file stays untouched.
What is the difference between .pptx and .potx?
A .pptx file is a presentation. When you open it, you are editing that file directly. Any changes you make and save overwrite the original. A .potx file is a template. When you open it, PowerPoint generates a new .pptx based on the template's slide master, layouts, theme and content. The template remains unchanged in its saved location.
This distinction is the single most important reason to save your template as a .potx. If you distribute a .pptx as your "template", staff will save over it, rename it, and strip out layouts. Within weeks, the original template file will no longer exist in its intended form. A .potx prevents this by design.
Where does PowerPoint save .potx files by default?
On Windows, PowerPoint defaults to saving .potx files in C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Custom Office Templates. On Mac, the default location is /Users/[username]/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates. These are local folders that only the person who saved the file can access.
For corporate use, you will want to save the template to a shared location: a SharePoint document library, a OneDrive for Business folder, or a network file share. This gives your entire team access to the same template without emailing files around. If you use SharePoint, your IT team can configure it as a custom template location so the template appears in PowerPoint's New > Custom tab.
Should the template contain sample slides?
There are two schools of thought. Some organisations save the .potx with sample slides that demonstrate how each layout should be used, giving staff a reference they can duplicate or delete. Others save the .potx with no slides at all, so staff start with a blank presentation and choose layouts from the Layout dropdown.
At Ideaseed, we recommend including a small set of example slides for the first rollout of a new template, then switching to a clean version once the team is familiar with the layouts. Example slides reduce the learning curve but can lead to staff duplicating sample content instead of using the Layout menu, which weakens the connection between their slides and the slide master.
Can you save a .potx with macros?
If your template includes VBA macros, save it as a .potm (PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Template) instead of .potx. The .potx format strips macros on save. The .potm format preserves them but will trigger macro security warnings when staff open the file, depending on their organisation's security settings. Check with your IT team before distributing a macro-enabled template, as many organisations block macros by default.
How do you test the template before distributing it?
After saving the .potx, close the file, then open it again from its saved location. PowerPoint should create a new "Presentation1" file (not open the template itself). Check that all layouts appear correctly in the Layout dropdown, that theme fonts and colours are working, and that placeholder prompt text displays as expected. Create a few test slides using different layouts. Insert a chart, a table and an image to confirm that theme colours apply correctly to each element.
Send the template to two or three colleagues and ask them to build a short presentation. Watch for font substitution, missing logos, or layout confusion. Catching these issues before a full rollout saves significant time.
Saving as .potx is a small step that makes a large difference. It protects your template from accidental overwrites and ensures every new presentation starts from a clean, branded base. Always distribute templates as .potx files, never as .pptx.
Need a template built and packaged for distribution across your organisation? Talk to Ideaseed about a PowerPoint template project.
RAVE REVIEWS
who we work with
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
