How To: Create a Template for your Posts

This post will show you how to create a template. Using a template can be a time-saving convenience if you post often with repeated content.  For example, let's say I have a picture I'd like to appear on all of my posts. I can create a template that includes that picture. Then, each time I create a new post from the template, that picture will appear. I would not have to go through the steps to import it separately into each new post.

Another use of a template might be If I wanted all of my posts to follow a specific format, say, "Intro", "Body" and "Summary". I would make a template with those headings to remind myself to include those into each post. Other uses of templates might include: mandatory warnings, disclaimers, public service announcements, etc., that I want to ensure each post contains.

Think about what letters or words will require special treatment (bolding, color, etc.), where will logos and images be located, etc. This is important to consider since the answer to these options is how your finished template will appear. 

My resources for creating this post included Google's official support site "Create, edit, manage or delete a post" (scroll down to "Create a Post Template") and a "how-to" demo found on-line.

Without further ado, let's get to it:

1.    Open Blogger and select the blog to which a template is to be added.

2.    Create a new post just as you would with any post, saving as desired but do NOT publish.

    a.    Remember to add Alternate Text to any images you include in the template.

3.    Once you're satisfied with the layout of your template (make sure you "Preview" it), switch to "HTML" view:

    a.     Find AND click on the "pencil" icon at the left-most position of the post formatting menu:

    

 

    b.    Select "HTML view".  

HTML View

Note the icon changed to a "double carrot" symbol to let you know you're in HTML view.

 

4.    Copy ALL of the code!

5.    Go to "Settings" AND scroll until you find the "Posts" heading.

    a.    Click on "Post Template (optional)" sub-heading.

    b.    A field form will appear:

Screen shot of path to get to "Post template (optional)" with HTML code already pasted

     c.    Paste the copied HTML text into the field.

    d.    Click "Save".

That's it. The next time you click "New Post" it will appear in HTML view. Switch back to "Compose view" to see the template.

End of Tutorial