How to create and add SharePoint template to the Organizational Template tab

[Laci Porter]

I have been searching for a week.  I don't understand why this is so difficult.  When you create a SharePoint Online site, you go to Apply Site Templates there is an organizational tab option.  We want to create a SharePoint Online site, save as a template, and then have it appear in that organizational tab.  I am a global Admin for the tenant also. 

Any ideas? Is this really only available for SharePoint On-Prem?  Do we really have to create a template from scratch in JSON and use PowerShell to upload it?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Sorry not currently possible to "Save Site As a Site Design Template" via the UI - you have start from a crafted JSON site script and upload the design to make it available "From your Organization" - using PowerShell.

You can extract a existing web site script to a JSON to get you started, but then must be uploaded vis PowerShell to be made available.

https://www.devjhorst.com/2019/11/extracting-a-site-collection-using-sharepoint-site-designs-Get-SPO...

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/sharepoint-online/get-spositescriptfromweb?view=s...

This is SharePoint Online only, the old Save Site as A Template was Classic SharePoint only and has been removed in SharePoint Online and newer version of SharePoint Server.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/declarative-customization/site-design-overview

https://laurakokkarinen.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-sharepoint-site-designs-and-site-scripts/

https://www.sitedesigner.io/#/

[#3]

@Warwick Ward 

Thank you.  I was afraid of that.  I wonder the thoughts behind not making that easier process.  

The team is now working on following your links.  

[#4]

I can't imagine the backlog of improvements the development team are managing :)

It usally starts off the ability to do it via PowerShell/Manually, then overtime a UI in the front-end will be build for it, so maybe in time we will see it.