---
title: Getting Started with Office Document Template Authoring Tutorial
slug: rm/getting-started-with-office-document-template-authoring-tutorial
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-06-25T00:28:53.484Z
---

Blueprint provides users with the ability to export artifacts in a highly customizable format. Before you can export artifacts to a Microsoft Word or Excel document, you must create and add a document template to Blueprint.

:::hint{type="warning"}
Before you can author document templates with ease, it is helpful to have a solid understanding of Blueprint, Microsoft Word/Excel, XML/XPath, and basic programming concepts.
:::

As you create and add more templates to Blueprint, users can export artifacts in a format that meets the needs of your organization.

Blueprint provides a template authoring add-in to simplify the template creation process. After you install the add-in you can customize templates and test them prior to adding the template to Blueprint.

Getting started with Blueprint template authoring involves the following six steps:

- Step 1: [Install the Blueprint template authoring add-in for Microsoft Office](https://blueprintsys.helpdocs.io/article/y5gqehg1vb-install-the-storyteller-template-authoring-add-in-for-microsoft)
- Step 2: [Download and open a sample template](https://blueprintsys.helpdocs.io/article/6o1yhczuc6-download-and-open-a-sample-template)
- Step 3: [Download your Blueprint Project XML Data and Add it as a Data Source](docId\:vxRfrxaSMK3sQefXIIvSv)
- Step 4: [Customize and Test the Document Template](docId\:OAzPJDiAFjb-m9NYV94E9)
- Step 5: [Add the Document Template to Blueprint](docId\:Vir41H5u3V3MlrH5JbjqI)
- Step 6: [Generate a Document](docId\:XzgUJL6KsLxiRMeFXV8Jx)

The following is a visual representation of the above 6 steps:

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