Microsoft SharePoint Replaces Blank Pages With AI-Driven Template Gallery

SharePoint is expected to get an AI-focused upgrade, and Microsoft is now preparing a significant update that changes how users create pages, marking another step in its broader AI-driven productivity strategy.

According to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (message ID MC1240743), SharePoint will soon open a template gallery by default when users create new content, replacing the traditional blank page experience.

The change aims to streamline content creation and encourage more polished, structured communication across organizations.

SharePoint to launch template gallery by default

Under the upcoming update, clicking “New Page” from the Site Contents menu will no longer generate a blank canvas instantly. Instead, users will see a full template gallery featuring pre-built layouts designed for specific use cases.

Microsoft is introducing 31 new templates centered around storytelling and announcements. The update also unifies “Page” and “News” creation into a single, template-driven workflow.

This shift reflects Microsoft’s broader push toward AI-assisted and structured content creation across Microsoft 365. Rather than starting from scratch, users will choose from categorized layouts such as News and Storytelling, helping teams produce more consistent and visually engaging internal content.

Productivity boost or extra step?

Microsoft positions the change as a productivity improvement. Templates can speed up publishing for communications teams and ensure consistent branding across sites.

However, the added browsing step may frustrate power users who prefer starting from a blank page. For them, the immediate canvas has been a faster way to build highly customized layouts.

Organizations may also need to revisit training materials, since the traditional blank page entry point will effectively disappear for many users.

Impact on custom templates

It remains unclear how the new Microsoft-provided templates will interact with organization-wide custom templates. Some administrators may worry that built-in designs could overshadow corporate-approved or user-created templates.

At the same time, the gallery could help enforce stronger design governance and reduce inconsistencies across departments.

Targeted Release has already begun and is expected to complete by mid-March 2026.

General Availability for Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, and DoD tenants will start in late March and finish by early April.

The update arrives as Microsoft continues refining SharePoint and OneDrive offerings, including plans to retire certain business plans in the near future.

The update also comes at a time when SharePoint has increasingly been abused in phishing campaigns, although Microsoft has taken steps to address and mitigate these security concerns.

Via Neowin