Classic Outlook to New Outlook: OFT Templates – Use templates without the old file workflow

You rely on Outlook Form Templates (OFT files) to send standardized emails for reports, invoices, or announcements. In the new Outlook for Windows, the familiar File > New > Choose Form workflow is gone. This change breaks your existing template workflow. This article explains how OFT templates work in classic Outlook, why the new Outlook removed the old file-based method, and how you can still use template content in the new Outlook by saving templates as regular Outlook messages or using Quick Parts.

Why the New Outlook Removed the OFT File Workflow

Classic Outlook (Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions before the switch) includes a built-in template system based on the OFT file format. You create a template by going to File > Save As and selecting Outlook Template (.oft). To use it, you open a new message, click File > New > Choose Form, then browse to User Templates in File System. This workflow relies on the Windows file system and the Outlook Forms Library.

The new Outlook for Windows is a web-based app built on the same platform as Outlook on the web. It does not support the Outlook Forms Library or the Choose Form dialog. The OFT file format is not recognized by the new Outlook. Microsoft designed the new Outlook to be faster, more secure, and simpler. Removing the OFT workflow is part of that simplification. If you open an OFT file from File Explorer in the new Outlook, it opens in classic Outlook instead, or it fails to open at all.

What an OFT File Actually Contains

An OFT file stores the message body, formatting, images, attachments, and some metadata like subject and recipients. It is essentially a message template without the Send button. In classic Outlook, the template preserves the layout so you can fill in variable fields and send it. In the new Outlook, you cannot open or create OFT files directly.

How to Use OFT Template Content in the New Outlook

You have three practical methods to reuse the content from your existing OFT templates in the new Outlook. Choose the method that matches your workflow.

Method 1: Convert OFT to MSG in Classic Outlook

1. Open the OFT file in classic Outlook
   Double-click the OFT file in File Explorer. It opens as a new message in classic Outlook. If classic Outlook is not your default, right-click the file and choose Open with > Outlook.
2. Add recipients and fill in fields
   For templates that include placeholder recipients like [Recipient Name], replace them with actual data. You can leave the To field blank if you want to fill it later.
3. Save as MSG file
   Click File > Save As. In the Save as type dropdown, choose Outlook Message Format – Unicode (msg). Choose a location like your desktop or a shared folder. Click Save.
4. Open the MSG file in the new Outlook
   In the new Outlook, double-click the MSG file. It opens as a new message. You can edit the subject, body, and recipients before sending.

The MSG format preserves the body, formatting, and attachments from the original OFT. This method works best if you need the exact layout and embedded images from the original template.

Method 2: Copy Template Content and Save as Quick Part

1. Open the OFT in classic Outlook
   Double-click the OFT file to open it as a new message in classic Outlook.
2. Select the body content
   Press Ctrl+A to select all text and images in the message body. Press Ctrl+C to copy.
3. Open a new message in the new Outlook
   In the new Outlook, click New Mail. Click in the message body and press Ctrl+V to paste the content.
4. Save the content as a Quick Part
   Select all pasted content again. Press Alt+N to open the Insert tab, then click Quick Parts. Choose Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. Give it a name like Invoice Template. Click OK.
5. Insert the Quick Part later
   In any new message, click in the body, press Alt+N, click Quick Parts, and select your saved template. The full content appears.

Quick Parts are stored in the NormalEmail.dotm file on your computer. They sync with your Microsoft 365 roaming settings only if you use the same device. This method is best for text-heavy templates without complex embedded images.

Method 3: Use the My Templates Add-in

1. Install the My Templates add-in
   In the new Outlook, click Get Add-ins on the Home tab. Search for My Templates. Click Add to install it.
2. Open the OFT in classic Outlook and copy the body
   Double-click the OFT file, select the body content, and press Ctrl+C.
3. Paste into the My Templates pane
   In the new Outlook, click My Templates on the Home tab. Click Add Template. Paste the copied content. Give it a name. Click Save.
4. Insert the template in any new message
   Open a new message. Click My Templates on the Home tab. Click the template name to insert it into the message body.

The My Templates add-in stores your snippets on Microsoft servers and syncs across all devices running the new Outlook. This is the best method for teams that share standardized email content.

Limitations and Things to Avoid When Moving Templates

The New Outlook Does Not Support OFT Files Directly

Do not try to open an OFT file by double-clicking it in the new Outlook. The file will either open in classic Outlook or show an error. The new Outlook does not register the OFT file association. Always convert the file first using one of the methods above.

Embedded Images May Not Paste Correctly

When you copy and paste content from an OFT file into the new Outlook, embedded images that are not inline may appear as broken links. To fix this, save the images separately and insert them using Insert > Pictures in the new Outlook. For templates with many embedded images, the MSG conversion method preserves them better.

Quick Parts Do Not Sync Across Computers

Quick Parts are stored locally in the NormalEmail.dotm template file. If you switch computers, your Quick Parts do not follow you. Use the My Templates add-in instead if you need cross-device access. My Templates syncs with your Microsoft 365 account.

Attachments in OFT Files Are Lost in Quick Parts

When you copy only the body content of an OFT file, attachments are not copied. You must reattach files manually each time you use a Quick Part. The MSG conversion method preserves attachments, but the MSG file itself must be opened and then you can forward or send it.

OFT vs MSG vs Quick Parts: Key Differences

Item	OFT (Classic Outlook)	MSG (New Outlook)	Quick Parts (New Outlook)
File format	Outlook Template (.oft)	Outlook Message (.msg)	Stored in NormalEmail.dotm
Open in new Outlook	Not supported	Opens as a new message	Inserted via Quick Parts menu
Preserves attachments	Yes	Yes	No
Preserves embedded images	Yes	Yes	Partial
Syncs across devices	Manual copy	Manual copy	No

Your existing OFT files are not lost. Convert them to MSG files in classic Outlook before switching to the new Outlook. For frequently used email content, set up Quick Parts or the My Templates add-in. Test each method with one template to confirm formatting and attachments transfer correctly. If your organization has strict compliance rules, verify that the My Templates add-in meets your data retention policies.