Use documents templates from Finder, it is possible with 3rd party apps?

Question

Use documents templates from Finder, it is possible with 3rd party apps?

Hi,

My use of computers starts in 1984, I did use CP/M, DOS, Windows 3.x, NT, OS/2, Linux, Classic MacOS and current MacOS. When I used to use OS/2 and when I use gnome, those OS have the ability to add some document templates in a folder and then when I need to create a new file (txt, docx, xls, etc) just press right click and select the template I need directly on the folder I need that file to start editing.

BUT I prefer to use MacOS over all, but apparently Finder don't include a way to do that.... anybody know any app or trick to get the same functionality (or similar)?

Thanks in advance.

Carlos Le Mare

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Dec 12, 2022 3:17 PM

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Answer 1

etresoft

Level 9

60,454 points

Dec 12, 2022 4:32 PM in response to Carlos Le Mare

As Yer_Man says, this functionality is normally provided by individual apps.

However, you can certainly create your own folder somewhere and fill it with various types of template documents. Apple like Word and Excel have dedicated document template types that you can use. For plain text files, there is no document template type. But you could easily roll your own. Just copy a text file to that folder and set it to be write-only. Use Get Info in the Finder and click the "Locked" checkbox. Then, when you try to edit the file, you'll get something like this:

Just choose Duplicate to create a new document.

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Answer 2

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,864 points

Dec 12, 2022 3:57 PM in response to Carlos Le Mare

As the Finder doesn't open any of these files, this would be a function of the app you're using to edit the .txt, docx etc. So which apps are those, and do they have template functions?

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Answer 3

Dec 12, 2022 5:49 PM in response to etresoft

Yes, I know I can have templates in a folder, the missing part is the ability to create a file based in one of those templates without the need to open that folder. In Linux (gnome) you simply click the right button and get a menu entry that enable you to create the file you need.... like in the image attached.

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Answer 4

etresoft

Level 9

60,454 points

Dec 12, 2022 7:09 PM in response to Carlos Le Mare

You can do that on the Mac too. Use Automator or AppleScript to create services to open those documents.

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Use documents templates from Finder, it is possible with 3rd party apps?

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