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how do I save an InDesign template so it shows up when I open an new file?

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
December 20, 2025
4 replies
582 views

I am on a Mac using InDesign 21.0.2

Thanks,

Phil

How to

Correct answer BobLevine

Many options can be set with no documents open but instead I would create a new file with all of the options you want to use. Then use the file>save as command and choose InDesign 2026 template. This will save the file as an INDT file. When you open that it will open as untitled and you can create a new document using all of the preset options you saved.

rob day

Community Expert

A one line script can do it—you can give a script any key command from Keyboard Shortcuts

//Opens a template named MyTemplate.indt—replace with path to your .indt file
app.open(File("~/Desktop/MyTemplate.indt"));

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Does it not show in the Recent Files list on the Home Screen when you open InDesign?

You can also define and save a preset (just page dimensions with margins, columns, bleeds etc. but not styles and other useful stuff yiou can save in a template) from the new document dialog.

P

pstraus141Author

Known Participant

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the preset idea, but I want four text boxes with borders.

Phil

BobLevine

Community Expert

I don't want to be snarky (believe me, if I wanted to, you'd know 🙂 ) but this is not Powerpoint.

You can explore a scripting option to have that INDT file open automatically (be prepared to pay someone) or you can try to use the open recent command. You could also save it as an INDD (you can even rename it) file and once opened, immediately do a save as.

Beyond that, what you want is not possible natively.

tonks_the_auror

Community Expert

Hi Phil,

Are you asking if you can set things up so that when you open a new file (File > New) it automatically opens your template, the answer is no. But if you create a template--create a file and save it as .indt--when you open that file, it will open a new untitled document based on the template. I hope that makes sense.

P

pstraus141Author

Known Participant

Thanks for your prompt answer, but I've already do that.

What i want is for the template to show up when I do "New"

BobLevine

Community Expert

There's no way I know of but I suppose it could be scripted in some way.

BobLevine

Correct answer

Community Expert

Many options can be set with no documents open but instead I would create a new file with all of the options you want to use. Then use the file>save as command and choose InDesign 2026 template. This will save the file as an INDT file. When you open that it will open as untitled and you can create a new document using all of the preset options you saved.

tonks_the_auror

Community Expert

You beat me to it, Bob 🙂 I tried to upvote your answer, but for some reason it's not working.

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