How to Edit Document Template in SharePoint Library

You can upload templates for Word, PowerPoint, and other apps to the + New menu in a SharePoint document library. This makes process-related templates readily available in your company. To edit these templates, simply overwrite them.

In this screenshot of a SharePoint Online document library with the 'Edit New menu' dialog on the right edge, you can see that when you select a template, only actions to move the template up or down in the menu are available — Screenshot 1 – Edit New menu in SharePoint Online document libraries since March 2025

Apparently with Message ID MC996585, Microsoft is changing SharePoint document libraries in February 2025 through March 2025. Actions that were previously available, such as Edit, Change Content Type, and Delete, will no longer be available. Users must re-upload and replace the existing templates to edit them.

Screenshot of a SharePoint Online document library with the 'Edit New menu' dialog on the right edge before March 2025 with the actions to edit, change content type, and delete a document template — Screenshot 2 – Edit New menu in SharePoint Online document libraries before

Edit Document Templates in SharePoint Document Libraries

Instead of editing the templates as before, you just need to upload them again and hit replace. When uploading, you must confirm by clicking on Replace.

A screenshot of a SharePoint Online document library shortly after uploading a template with the same name as an existing one shows a black dialog in the bottom center with the question to Replace or Keep both — Screenshot 3 - Request to replace previous version of the document template in the SharePoint

Hide Document Templates from a SharePoint Library's New Menu

Instead of deleting document templates, they are now hidden from the menu. Unused templates will not be displayed.

In the screenshot of a SharePoint Online document library with the 'Edit New Menu' dialog on the right edge, you can see that the selection of some templates have been removed — Screenshot 4 - Edit New menu to hide document templates in SharePoint document libraries

Links

1: Microsoft SharePoint: Updated document libraries – admin role in Microsoft 365 is required to view message center posts
2: Message center in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn
3: Set a custom template for a SharePoint library - Microsoft Support