Remove Default Templates in Google Editors

This article is written for G Suite for Education Administrators.

Introduction

This blog explains why and how to remove default templates in Google Editors to ensure a streamlined and tailored user experience in educational and organizational settings. Default templates in Google Docs, Sheets, forms and Slides are designed to assist users in creating documents quickly. However, these templates may not align with the specific needs of users, leading to confusion and potential misuse of inappropriate formats. By removing default templates, administrators can provide a more focused environment, enabling users to work with only the relevant and approved templates that meet their project requirements.

Additionally, this blog will cover how Safe Doc facilitates the removal of default templates across the entire Google Workspace suite, ensuring that users have access only to content that aligns with their institution’s standards and branding. This approach promotes consistency and professionalism in document creation across all Google Editors.

For more information, please visit  Google docs support.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Default Templates in Google Editors

Why Remove Default Templates in Google Workspace for Education?

In an educational setting, maintaining a secure and controlled environment is crucial for fostering creativity and academic integrity. Default templates in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides can lead to students relying too heavily on pre-made designs, which may stifle originality and encourage academic dishonesty.

When students use these templates for assignments, they might submit work that lacks their personal touch or understanding of the material. Furthermore, some templates may contain content or formatting that is inappropriate or misaligned with educational standards, potentially leading to distractions or misunderstandings about assignment expectations.

Let’s understand the scenario through a user story:

• Problem: Teacher Emily, committed to nurturing creativity and academic honesty in her middle school classroom, observed that students frequently utilized default templates in Google Docs for their writing assignments. This reliance on templates resulted in submissions that were strikingly similar and often lacked depth and personal expression. Additionally, some templates included elements that did not align with her classroom guidelines, causing further confusion about the assignment requirements.
• Solution: To address this issue, Emily decided to remove the default templates available in Google Workspace for Education. By eliminating these templates, she encouraged her students to create their documents from scratch, allowing them to express their unique voices and ideas while adhering to the assignment guidelines.
• Result: By disabling default templates, Emily successfully promoted a more creative and individualized learning environment. Students began to take greater ownership of their work, leading to more diverse and original submissions. This change not only enhanced their learning experience but also reinforced the importance of academic integrity in her classroom.

By removing default templates in Google Workspace for Education, administrators can ensure that students engage more deeply with their assignments, fostering creativity and maintaining high standards of academic integrity.

What is a xFanatical Safe Doc?

xFanatical Safe Doc is a comprehensive solution for maintaining a focused and secure online environment for Google Workspace admins and users. It provides robust tools to manage and restrict access to various online content, ensuring a safe and productive digital environment. xFanatical Safe Doc integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering administrators the ability to customize content filtering policies according to their needs.

Remove Default Templates in Google Workspace with xFanatical Safe Doc

Remove Default Templates in Google Docs

Google Docs’ default templates offer users a convenient starting point for creating various document types, such as resumes, letters, and reports. While these templates can save time, they may also lead to a lack of originality and critical thinking among students, who might rely too heavily on pre-formatted layouts instead of crafting their own unique content.

At this point, xFanatical Safe Doc becomes an invaluable tool. By implementing the BlockEditorTemplates policy, you can prevent users from accessing these default templates in Google Docs. Once this policy is set, the option to use default templates will be removed from the document creation process, encouraging students to develop their writing and formatting skills while producing original work that reflects their individual ideas and creativity.xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Templates layout in Google Docs

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the General Templates option in Google Docs

Disallow Default Templates in Google Sheets

Google Sheets’ default templates provide users with pre-formatted spreadsheets for tasks like budgeting, project management, and data analysis, facilitating quick document creation. However, in educational settings, these templates can lead students to depend on existing formats rather than engaging in critical thinking and developing their own organizational skills.

At this point, xFanatical Safe Doc becomes an invaluable tool. By implementing the BlockEditorTemplates policy, you can prevent users from accessing default templates in Google Sheets. Once this policy is set, the option to use default templates will disappear, encouraging students to create their own spreadsheets from scratch. This approach promotes independent learning and fosters creativity, ensuring that students develop essential skills in data organization and analysis.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Templates layout in Google Sheets

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the General Templates option in Google Sheets

Inactivate Default Templates in Google Slides

Google Slides’ default templates offer users a range of pre-designed layouts for presentations, making it easy to create visually appealing slides quickly. However, in educational environments, these templates can encourage students to rely on established formats rather than thinking critically about their content and presentation style, which can hinder their ability to develop unique ideas and designs.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Templates layout in Google Slides

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the General Templates option in Google Slides

Remove Default Templates in Google Forms

Google Forms’ default templates provide users with ready-made structures for creating surveys, quizzes, and feedback forms, which can streamline the process of form creation. However, in educational settings, these templates may lead students to rely on existing formats instead of designing their own unique forms, potentially stifling creativity and critical thinking.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Templates layout in Google Forms

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the General Templates option in Google Forms

How to Remove Default Templates in GWFE using xFanatical Safe Doc

Step 1: Install Safe Doc: 

The first step is to install Safe Doc in your Google Workspace environment. Safe Doc is a browser extension that seamlessly integrates with Google workspace, providing enhanced control and security features.

Step 2: Configure Safe Doc settings: 

Once Safe Doc is installed, you can configure its settings to remove default templates in Google Workspace.

Step 3: Access Google Admin Console: 

Now, navigate to the Google Admin Console. In the Google Admin Console, click on Devices followed by Chrome. Then, select Apps & Extensions and click on Users & Browsers.

Step 4: Copy the Policy: 

Locate the policy that you wish to apply and copy it. The policy will display in a specific format similar to the example provided below:

"BlockEditorTemplates": {

  "Value": ["*"]

}

or 

"BlockEditorTemplates": {

  "Value": ["temaplate name"]

}

Step 5: Save the Policy: 

After applying the policy, click the Save button to apply it.

How to configure Safe Doc?

Ensure the deployment of Safe Doc on your students' Chrome browsers, and review the xFanatical Safe Doc Configuration document for detailed instructions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing default templates in Google Workspace is an essential measure for maintaining a streamlined and focused educational environment. By eliminating unnecessary templates, educators can reduce potential distractions and encourage students to create original work tailored to their assignments. This approach not only fosters creativity and critical thinking but also ensures that students engage more meaningfully with their projects. Implementing this change supports a culture of ownership and accountability in student submissions, ultimately enhancing the overall educational experience. With solutions like xFanatical Safe Doc, schools can effectively tailor their digital resources, promoting a more productive and secure learning atmosphere for all students.

To learn more about how xFanatical Safe Doc can help enhance online safety in your educational institution, visit our website  Safe Doc

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