If you rely on OFT template files to send standardized emails in Outlook, you may have noticed that the new Outlook for Windows does not place them where the classic version did. The OFT file format itself remains unchanged, but the steps to open, save, and manage these templates have shifted in the new Outlook app. This article explains exactly where OFT templates are stored in new Outlook, how to open them, and which template features still work differently compared to the classic Outlook client.
Key Takeaways: OFT Templates in New Outlook
- New Outlook > New Mail > More Apps > Choose a Form > User Templates in File System: The only location where new Outlook looks for OFT files
- %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates: Default folder where OFT files must be stored for new Outlook to see them
- File > Save As > Outlook Template (.oft): Still works in classic Outlook but the saved file must be moved to the Templates folder for new Outlook access
How OFT Template Handling Changed in New Outlook
OFT stands for Outlook Form Template. It is a file format that stores the layout, formatting, and fields of an email message. Classic Outlook lets you open, edit, and save OFT files from any folder on your computer. New Outlook restricts OFT file access to a single system folder: the User Templates folder under your Windows profile. This change was made to simplify the app’s architecture and align with the Microsoft 365 cloud-first design. New Outlook also lacks the ability to create a new OFT template from scratch using the classic form designer. You must first create the template in classic Outlook, save it to the correct folder, and then open it in new Outlook.
Where to Find OFT Templates in New Outlook
- Open New Outlook and start a new email
Click New Mail in the ribbon. A blank message window opens. - Access the More Apps menu
In the message window, click the three-dot menu (More Apps) located in the ribbon or in the toolbar above the message body. - Select Choose a Form
From the dropdown, click Choose a Form. A dialog box titled Choose Form appears. - Change the Look In dropdown to User Templates in File System
At the top of the Choose Form dialog, click the Look In dropdown and select User Templates in File System. This is the only location new Outlook scans for OFT files. - Select your OFT template and click Open
The dialog lists all OFT files stored in the default Templates folder. Click the template you want and then click Open. A new email window opens with the template content loaded.
Default OFT Template Folder Location
The folder that new Outlook reads for User Templates in File System is:%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates
On most Windows systems, this expands to:C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
If you have OFT files stored elsewhere, you must copy or move them into this folder for new Outlook to detect them.
What Still Differs Between Classic and New Outlook for OFT Templates
Creating a new OFT template from scratch
Classic Outlook lets you create a new OFT file by going to New Items > More Items > Choose Form > Design a Form. New Outlook does not include the form designer. You cannot create a new OFT template directly in new Outlook. You must use classic Outlook or another tool to build the template, then save it to the Templates folder.
Saving an email as an OFT template
In classic Outlook, you can save any email as an OFT file using File > Save As > Outlook Template. New Outlook does not have a Save As option for OFT. The only way to save an email as an OFT is to open the email in classic Outlook, save it there, and then move the resulting .oft file to the Templates folder.
Editing an existing OFT template
In classic Outlook, you can open an OFT file, edit the content, and save it again as OFT. In new Outlook, after you open an OFT template from the Choose Form dialog, the resulting email is a regular message. You cannot save it back to the same OFT file. Any changes you make are lost when you close the window unless you manually copy the content to a new OFT using classic Outlook.
Template fields and macros
Classic Outlook OFT templates can include custom fields, form regions, and VBA macros. New Outlook does not support custom form fields or macros embedded in OFT files. If your OFT template relies on custom fields or automation, those elements will not function in new Outlook. Only the static content (text, images, formatting) is preserved.
If OFT Templates Still Do Not Appear in New Outlook
OFT files are in the wrong folder
The most common reason OFT files do not show up in the Choose Form dialog is that they are not located in the correct folder. Open File Explorer, paste %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates into the address bar, and press Enter. Verify that your .oft files are present. If they are in a different folder, move them here.
File extension is hidden
Windows may hide the .oft extension. In File Explorer, click View > Show > File name extensions. Confirm that your template files end with .oft. If they end with .msg or .txt, rename them to .oft.
New Outlook app version does not support OFT
Some early builds of new Outlook for Windows did not include the Choose a Form feature. Update to the latest version via File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. After updating, restart Outlook and try again.
Classic Outlook vs New Outlook: OFT Template Feature Comparison
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Open OFT from any folder | Yes | No — only from User Templates folder |
| Create new OFT from scratch | Yes — via Form Designer | No — must use classic Outlook |
| Save email as OFT | Yes — File > Save As | No — not available |
| Edit and re-save OFT | Yes | No — changes not saved back |
| Custom form fields | Supported | Not supported |
| VBA macros in template | Supported | Not supported |
New Outlook restricts OFT templates to a single folder and removes creation, editing, and advanced field support. For full template functionality, keep classic Outlook installed alongside new Outlook and use it for template management tasks.