Forum Discussion
Outlook Templates keep disappearing.
I have noticed that my Outlook templates periodically disappear/are deleted from Outlook for the Web. I add several templates. Pressing My Templates while composing an email...works for a while...then one day they all disappear. Has anyone else been experiencing that lately? Thanks.
Thanks to everyone for chiming in here. (I was hoping it was just me :). Not only do they need to fix this issue, but they also need to increase the storage space allocated for templates so you that you can save a whole lot more templates than what that feature currently allows. Since I have been burned several times already with all my hard work being deleted...I have unfortunately lost some trust in the application. What I have been doing lately is just creating my templates as Drafts and just leaving those in my Drafts folder. Then I just do a copy/paste from the draft to a new email. It's definitely not ideal...but they haven't deleted on me so far (knock on wood) AND I can create as many as I want without hitting any limits. Be forewarned thought that using the Drafts method is not as safe as saving them to say a doc like someone else suggested. I just like being able to flip over to the Drafts folder quick, copy...and then paste. I started doing that in hopes that it would be a temporary process...and that Microsoft would have fixed the problem by now. Based on the continued replies that people are leaving here...it doesn't sound like that is the case :(. Here is to hoping the New Outlook will fix it once it is completely rolled out!
I have the exact sentiment about My Templates. I have been using the same workaround process for years now.
You inspired me to create a separate post - My Templates Explained, that summarized all the comments from this thread and new learnings.- That's great, Teresa! I went ahead and upvoted your feedback item on Microsoft's portal.
It's super frustrating when Outlook templates vanish. While I can't directly fix that issue, I can suggest a workaround. You might want to consider creating your email templates using something like Word or Google Docs, and then saving them securely on your computer or in a cloud storage service.
Speaking of templates, if you ever need more than just email templates, you can check out https://freelydocs.com/docstemplates/brochure-templates/. They offer a variety of templates that could come in handy for different purposes.- In our case, in our company, people - using only the Web mode of Outlook - have been complaining a lot about this, that the Add-in and Template button - have disappeared from the email bar. I have been persistently searching to find an answer or an idea when to contact Microsoft, but without success. This conversation of yours is the closest to my situation.
On the top, right side of upper toolbar, there is a box with 4 smaller boxes in it. This is the app area. This is where the Templates will be if not in the normal space.
How can we get the add-on to show in the outlook web version. The template emblem has disappeared from the email message section, altogether! It shows in "My Add-ons", but it's nowhere on the message icon line or in the Add-ins drop down.
- Sorry I didn't actually answer your question. I have the same question.. It shows for one user and not on mine.
- Only 1 of 3 of us, at the moment cannot access the templates icon.
I've been going back and forth with microsoft on this. They just reopened my case because the user lost her templates again!
It is looking like at a licensing level - we are G1 we have no control at an admin or individual level over the default templates (being able to turn them on and off as suggested). My user was unable to save templates - (she was recreating the ones that were lost) After Microsoft got into it in at the tenenant level they did something and then she was able to save them. I'm about to write this feature off as use at your own risk. I've asked to her to keep the text she uses in a word doc. so when the templates disappear, she can just copy and paste and make new ones - until they disappear again.
- I agree...we're not able to trust the feature at this time. So, asking users to save text in a word doc is one way. What I have been doing up to this point is just creating drafts in Outlook with the subject "TEMPLATE - [Name]". Each of those has the body of the template. Then, I'm just leaving those in my drafts folder. It's a bit quicker than needing to open another file. (I suppose you could also just create a Templates folder in your Inbox as well). You just need to go to the draft and do a copy/paste of the text to a new email. Just be careful not to delete those drafts as you use them. It's a shame we have to do things like that. The other annoying thing is the size limitation. Even when the Templates add-in worked, you were very limited in how many templates you could actually save...so eventually it became useless either way. Hopefully they will eventually remove that limitation as well. Maybe I'll try testing the Templates add-in again once they finish the New Outlook conversation and get rid of Classic Outlook. Until then, I have just lost trust in the feature.
- My guess is as they are executing and deploying features from their "Project Monarch" initiative to try to bring consistency to all of their Outlook application flavors, it is resetting some system services in the process (Just speculating here). If that is the case, it's a shame that they are not backing up and replacing those settings as they deploy those changes :(.
Hughes818 cmorenob Florian_T_FR
Same issue here. I reported to Microsoft. I will keep you up to date with any responses.
However, during my investigation I learned the following:
"My Templates" is available in the New Outlook for Windows.My Templates is listed in the Add-ins For Outlook in both applications.
I also learned that MS has had issues with Flagged Items since April 17th with hope to have it resolve soon. I shared this information, because it appears something happened in the last update which also aligns with our dates. Stay tune.
If you find this information helpful, please like this post which will assist others with the same question.
/Teresa
#traccreations4eTeresa_Cyrus This is very helpful. The problem I am encountering is that my Templates Add In is showing as Added, but I cannot find where to access said templates. They are no longer in either of the 2 locations where they have been in the past. This is such a great workflow tool....until it isn't.
Thank you so much. I went to ADD ons in the picture you posted and there they were!! All my templates! Thank you so much!!!
I am glad to help. If you can mark the post as the best response, it will help others with the same issue.
Have a great day!
/Teresa
Hi jtruitt,
Here are some steps you can take to fix the issue:
- Make sure you have the latest version of MS365.
- Hit the Continue button, if the introduction page appears.
- Ensure that the My Template entry size is 32kb or smaller, as otherwise, it will not save.
- Type "Hello" and save it. Close and reopen Outlook and check if the issue is resolved.
If you find this information helpful, please like it or mark it as the best response that will assist others.
/Teresa
#traccreations4e
- Hello,
I have the same issue in my company. We have train our users to use the "MyTemplates" add-in in Outlook for the web. From times to times, I have users complaining about the disappearing templates.
Since last week (~20April2023), I have a lot of complaints regarding this, it seems the issue becoming bigger and bigger.
