Google Apps and Templates Guidelines
University of Minnesota branded templates are available for Google Docs, Slides, Sites, and Blogger.
Google Sites
As of February 2017, Google Sites does not include the option to automatically choose a University branded template. Instructions for creating a branded Google Site can be found on our Google Sites page.
Google Docs, Forms, and Slides Templates
Branded templates are available for Google docs, forms, and slides. Instructions for finding and using the templates can be found on this Google Templates doc.
Using the UMN Blogger Template
Blogger does not currently allow us to add a template to the template gallery. To create a blog with the University's template, download the XML and follow the instructions below.
NOTE: The steps outlined below are primarily for applying the University's template to a new blog. Since Blogger widgets are included in a blog's template/layout code, if you apply this template to an existing blog you may need to redo the configuration of any widgets you are using. Please be sure to backup your current template before proceeding.
Creating Your Blog
Begin by visiting Blogger.com or clicking the Blogger link under the "More" dropdown in the Google Apps menu at the top of your email or Drive web page. Once in Blogger, click the “New Blog” button.
In the "Create a new blog" window, give your blog a title and blogspot URL (this can be changed later). There is a small list of templates in this window; leave it on "Simple" to upload a custom template later. Click the “Create blog!” button; the new blog will appear in the "Your blogs" list. Click the blog title to open your blog's dashboard.
Uploading Template XML
In your blog's dashboard, select “Template” and then click the “Backup/Restore” button in the upper right.
Under "Upload a template from a file on your hard drive" in the window that appears, click either the “Browse” or “Choose File” button. Select the UMN-Blogger-Template.xml file (available to download from the link above), and click “Upload.” Click the “Close” button to go back to your blog dashboard.
Since this template includes mobile-optimized styles, be sure to tell Blogger to use them for the blog's mobile version.
In the window that appears, select “Custom” in the "Choose mobile template" dropdown, then click “Save.”
Adding a Secondary Header
To add a secondary header, such as a department header image, click “Customize” under the blog preview thumbnail.
This will open up the Blogger Template Designer. Choose “Layout” to see a wireframe of all the regions/widgets in your blog. Click the “Edit” button in the Header box to upload a file.
This template defaults to 1040px width. If you want to use a department header image it should match the blog's full width like the U of M branded header. You can upload a department header that matches 1040px, or, if you have a smaller one (at 960px, for example), you can click the “Adjust Widths” tab and change the entire blog width to match the width of your image.
