How to change the page template in WordPress

Page templates can be applied only to pages, in order to change their aspect. It can be applied to a single page, a page section, or to a group of pages.

Your Theme files should include a default page template (named: page.php). It may also have one or more custom page templates, for instance, to display content in wider columns. 

If you need more information about Page Templates, check the following link.

Changing a Page Template

There are 2 scenarios we have to take into consideration:

  • first - you want to change the template of an existing page
  • second - you want to change the template of a new page

First scenario - existing page

Step 1:

Go to Dashboard > Pages > All Pages.

Step 2:

Go to one of the existing pages that you want to modify and select Quick Edit.

Step 3:

Go to the Templates options (1), choose one of the available templates and click on Update(2).

Once it's done, click on the Apply button (3).


Second scenario - new page

Step 1:

Go to Dashboard > Pages > Add New.

Step 2:

After adding a New Page, it will automatically open the editor

Go to Page Attributes and expand (1). Then choose one of the options available for the page template (2).

Template Options:

In the following example, we are using the Hestia theme, which has 5 templates available.

Please note that this is specific to Hestia and the number of templates may differ on each theme.

  • default template - generates a centered content.

  • fullwidth template - generates extended left-right content.

  • page with sidebar - you have to select also the direction of the sidebar (2)

  • There is at least one custom page template file in your active Theme's folder. If you change your Theme, the page templates in your previously activated Theme will not display.
  • You are viewing a screen for editing a Page: page templates are not a default option for posts or custom post types.
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