Creating newsletters can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can easily create customized newsletters that grab your audience's attention.

Besides offering a range of free newsletter templates that you can customize, Microsoft Word allows you to create your own newsletter templates. Read on to learn how to create a newsletter template in Word from start to finish.

Why You Should Create a Newsletter Template

Thanks to a template, you don't have to start from scratch each time you want to write a newsletter in Word. The template comes with preset elements around a basic design and structure, eliminating the need for manual work. This saves time and lets you focus on drafting your newsletter's content.

Although you can always use the free built-in newsletter templates in Microsoft Word, creating your personalized template can better reflect the style and branding of your business and help it stand out from competitors. By designing your own template, you can ensure consistency in branding and add unique touches, such as custom colors, images, and fonts.

How to Create a Newsletter Template in Microsoft Word

Follow these steps to design your first newsletter template in Word.

1. Open a Blank Document

Start with a new document. To do this, open Microsoft Word and click on Blank Document.

2. Set the Page Layout

Page Layout Margin Options

Before you start creating your newsletter, it's essential to set the page layout. First, go to the Page Layout tab and select Margins. Then, choose from preset margins or set custom margins.

You can also change the page orientation or use both landscape and portrait orientations in the document.

Inserting header into a Newsletter Template

The next step is to create a header and footer for your newsletter template. The header and footer will contain important information, such as the name of your newsletter and the date.

To use a header or footer in your document, go to the Insert tab and select Header or Footer. You can add text or images to the header or footer by typing or pasting the images.

4. Add Columns to Your Template

Columns can hold not only the text but also direct the flow. Here's how.

  1. Click on the Layout menu tab and choose Columns from the drop-down options.
  2. Choose one of the preset column options: One, Two, Three, Left, or Right.
    Preset Column Options in Word
  3. Click on More Columns to insert four or more columns or customize the column width.
  4. Uncheck the Equal column width option and set your desired column width.
  5. Check the Line between box to add a dividing line between the columns.
  6. Click on Apply to and select This point forward from the drop-down menu. This will insert the columns below the headline.
    Column Settings to Insert Column below Headline

5. Enable Rulers

Enabling Rulers in a Newsletter Template

The Word Ruler is a visual aid for adjusting the width of the columns and margins. Depending on your Microsoft Word settings, you may already see rulers at the top and left-hand of your document. If you don't see any rulers, click on the View tab and check the Ruler box. The top ruler indicates the location of your columns.

6. Add Headings

Using a heading allows people to quickly scan the document and understand its content, even if they don't have enough time to read it thoroughly. To format a heading:

  1. Highlight and right-click on the heading.
  2. Select Heading 1 from the Styles menu.

7. Add a Table of Content

Table of Content Options

A table of content is a crucial feature of any newsletter. It allows your readers to navigate through the different sections of your newsletter easily. To manually add a table of content, go to the References tab and select Table of Contents. You can also use one of the free Microsoft Word table of content templates available online.

8. Add and Format Images

Now that your newsletter template is set up, you can add images. Here's how.

  1. Click on Insert and choose Pictures to insert a placeholder image.
  2. Select any image and hit Insert.
    Inserting Image to a Template

To format the image:

  1. Click and drag the image corners to fit the image into your template's column.
  2. Click on the Layout Options icon at the top-right of the placement image.
  3. Click See More.
  4. Choose the Text Wrapping tab and adjust Distance from text.
  5. Use the up and down arrows to adjust the height of the space between the text and the image.

9. Insert and Format Text Boxes

While you can type text into columns, text boxes allow you to position it more precisely. To insert a text box into your template:

  1. Click on Insert and then Text box.
  2. Drag the corners of text boxes to position them, just like you did with images.
    Various Text Box Options in Word

You can choose from the various text box options available or create a basic text box that you can format to your preference.

10. Edit Your Template

If you want to include extra details in your newsletter template, insert and position additional text boxes, headings, and images. You can do this until you're satisfied with the template.

You can also personalize elements of your newsletter by highlighting the text you want to change, right-clicking it, and then choosing from the preset styles or adjusting the size, color, and font to your preference.

11. Save Your Newsletter

Once you've finished creating your newsletter template, save it on the desktop. You can save it as a regular Word document or as a template. To save it as a template:

  1. Go to File and select Save As.
  2. Choose Word Template from the Save As Type menu.
  3. Hit Save.
    Save as Word Template Option

To use your newly created newsletter template, open Microsoft Word and click on New. You'll find the template under the Personal menu. Click on the template to use it for your newsletter.

Make a Free Newsletter in Word

Creating a newsletter template in Word is a simple process that you can do in a few steps. Following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can create a template tailored to your needs.

If you have thought about a newsletter, a custom template in Microsoft Word can be an economical way to test the waters and see how your readership responds to the knowledge you share.