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Simple 5E Microsoft Word Template & Beginner's GuideClick to magnify
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Simple 5E Microsoft Word Template & Beginner's Guide

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Create polished layouts in Microsoft Word!

This template for Microsoft Word allows you to easily create polished supplements without investing in expensive design software. Created by Laura Hirsbrunner (@laura_hirsb), adamantine-bestselling designer & editor. Enjoy doing (mostly) painless layout using software you already own!

Check out the Full Preview to see everything the template includes!

  • 1 letter-sized Word template (8.5 x 11 in)
  • 1 A4-sized Word template (210 × 297 mm)
  • Full-width and single-column stat blocks
  • Two text box styles
  • Table styles for classes and more
  • Dozens of paragraph & character styles to easily follow fifth edition style
  • Parchment background
  • Front and back cover templates
  • Table of Contents style
  • Valuable tips and tricks for using Word to create professional-looking layouts
  • And more!

IMPORTANT -- HOW TO INSTALL:

1) Save all files provided in the DMsGuild listing onto your computer.

2) Install the provided fonts (all use the Open Font License and are free for commercial use).

3) Then open the "READ ME" PDF (which contains instructions for use, along with an exact example of what the Word template looks like when exported to PDF).

4) Read the entire Using This Template page in the PDF before opening your Word template!

5) Once you've followed the instructions in "Using This Template," you can use the Word template. Happy layouting!

System Requirements (Windows):

You will need to install a few fonts before opening this template (provided in download). For best results, use this template on a Windows computer running the latest version of Word (2019/365) with all updates. This template DOES work well on earlier versions (Word 2013 and later); however, page elements may appear slightly different on older versions.

System Requirements (Mac):

You will need to install a few fonts before opening this template (provided in download). Most parts of this template function well on Word for Mac. However, the software has some bugs with how Word for Mac handles PDF export, and you may experience undesirable results when exporting the final PDF from Word for Mac (including no interactive bookmarks and potential distorted text in sidebars). This can be worked around by either not using bookmarks and changing the sidebar font to Arial, or by exporting your document using a Windows computer. NOTE: Some page elements may shift when opening a Word for Mac document on a Windows PC--it may require a little bit of work once moved to PC to export.

Incompatible Products:

This template does not work in OpenOffice, LibreOffice, the free version of Word Online, or Google Docs! Also, please be aware that Microsoft Word is not suitable for creating print-on-demand hardcover books. If you plan to publish POD supplements, I highly recommend using Nathanaël Roux's InDesign template or Affinity Publisher template!

Sample Pages:

Using This Template  Samples to Copy

Sample Monster  Sample Class

Spellcasting  Credits

LICENSE:

You can use the Simple 5E Microsoft Word Template for personal & commercial use as follows:

  • You CAN use the Word template, page background, page number decorator, stat blocks, and other text elements & text styles for unlimited publication of both COMMERCIAL and PERSONAL digital and print documents

  • You can NOT sublicense, sell, or lease the individual images embedded in this template for stock art or other uses.

  • The DMsGuild logo can NOT be used for ANY use outside the Dungeon Masters Guild (copyright Dungeon Masters Guild, used under license).

  • Commercial publications using other image assets within this document must adhere to the rules and restrictions of the storefront in which they are sold. The jagged red swoosh on front cover and jagged black page decorator on back cover can NOT be used for commercial use outside the Dungeon Masters Guild.

  • The fonts included with the template are licensed under the Open Font License and CAN be used in commercial work; see their individual licenses for full terms of use.

  • While not required, it's appreciated if your documents credit the template designer (Laura Hirsbrunner) and include a link to the template's product page.

Keep Playing It Forward: Community Copies

Money tight? I'm playing it forward, no strings attached! If you can't pay, I still want you to play!

Please support me with whatever you can:

If things start looking up, you can come back later to support my work (or check out my Ko-Fi). And if you don't, that's okay! I want everyone to enjoy creating for this game we love so much.

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Reviews (56)
Discussions (57)
Customer avatar
MORGAN L December 23, 2023 3:19 am UTC
PURCHASER
this is really well done, took some time to resolve some issues, but all in all really excited to use this!
Reply
Customer avatar
MORGAN L December 23, 2023 3:46 am UTC
PURCHASER
I am really struggling with the cover title. For some reason both the title and title tagline are highlighted with this awful yellow hue. No matter what I try, I cannot get the font to just be white with a black outline. 45 minutes, no luck unfortunately.
Customer avatar
Garth E December 14, 2023 5:34 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is there a ODF or ODT version of this template. I am having some problems when I try to import the DOC version into LibreOffice (which I normally use for personal or design documents).
Customer avatar
Charles F September 21, 2023 4:26 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This is incredibly well done. The instructions are well laid out and the document is much easier to use than many others I have found online, especially if you know MS Word. I actually learned a few things about Word from their setup. Thank you for your work on this resource!
Customer avatar
Luke G August 15, 2023 3:27 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This template was incredibly useful as I was getting started as a TTRPG professional. It's helpful, easy to understand instructions made laying out my adventures a breeze!
Customer avatar
Henrique M May 11, 2023 3:43 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi, Laura! Thanks for this awesome product!
It might be a dumb question but, should I use the template itself replacing the content or I copy to another doc and edit it?
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H May 11, 2023 2:26 pm UTC
CREATOR
Not a dumb question! I recommend opening the "Blank" version of the template and replacing its text with your own content. :)
Customer avatar
Andrew N April 28, 2023 7:00 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Can you please share any suggestions you have to add images with overlaid watercolor stains into the document like GMbinder and Homebrewery can do? Thank you!
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H April 29, 2023 8:45 pm UTC
CREATOR
The tutorials on this YouTube channel may help. https://youtube.com/@nathanaelroux4575
Customer avatar
Stoyan G April 20, 2023 12:32 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Does this work with Cyrillic?
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H April 20, 2023 4:16 pm UTC
CREATOR
I'm not aware of anyone who has used it in Cyrillic, but it should work fine in any language that Word 365 supports.
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H April 20, 2023 4:18 pm UTC
CREATOR
oh, I should add - the only issue you might have is if the fonts it uses don't support Cyrillic - I'm not aware of if they do or not. However, if you run into problems with that, you can absolutely edit each style to use another font of your choice - it just might not look as close to standard 5e books.
Customer avatar
Kenneth M February 27, 2023 4:58 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'm turning the word doc into a PDF, but a blnk page is showing up after the cover page, any idea how to get rid of it?
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H February 27, 2023 10:56 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hiya! I've heard of a couple people with that issue, so you're not alone, but I haven't been able to figure out why it's happening for them. The easiest fix is to delete the page after export with Acrobat (if you have it), a free program like PDFArranger ( https://github.com/pdfarranger/pdfarranger ), or a free website like iLovePDF ( https://www.ilovepdf.com/remove-pages )
Customer avatar
Pilleri F February 07, 2023 4:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hello, I'm having a rather annoying issue with the "5E - Stat Block Heading" style from the monster table: it counts as a Level 1 index entry, so the auto index saves things as Actions and Reactions for every creature.
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H February 07, 2023 4:58 pm UTC
CREATOR
If the TOC is doing that, you can fix it by modifying the style > Paragraph > change Outline Level to "Body Text"

More details on how to do so here (along with a different solution if you prefer)
https://cybertext.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/word-getting-rid-of-odd-styles-in-an-auto-toc/

Hope this helps!
Reply
Customer avatar
Pilleri F February 07, 2023 6:50 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks, it worked! I had no idea how it changed its outline level (and it doesn't work that I bought Word in Italian, why do they change every name with the most counter-intuitive translation possible?).
Customer avatar
Jared P January 31, 2023 8:33 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I have an issue where the title fonts show yellow outline when printing but not when editing. I feel like I'm going insane and have no clue how to fix this. It did not do this when I originally purchased the product. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? I've tried reinstalling the fonts, redownloading the the whole template. The styles seem fine... I've loaded it on two computers and it seems wrong on both.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rgeHJnhJN0MFy0iZJOfK7FjdwdsgElWd/view?usp=sharing
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H February 01, 2023 2:27 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi Jared, sorry to hear about the weird bug, I've never seen that happen before. Does it do this even if you open up a fresh template downloaded from here, and immediately export it without making any other changes? What version of your OS and Word are you on?
Reply
Customer avatar
Jared P February 01, 2023 10:30 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Turns out... it's a stupid dark mode bug with Office. There's a check box to never have the actual page colors altered when using dark mode. Once you select it (or use regular/white Office, the issue goes away. Brutal.
Customer avatar
Trevor V January 04, 2023 11:49 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I use this all the time, and it's so useful, I just bought another copy for a fellow DM!
Customer avatar
Tracy G October 12, 2022 9:50 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Laura, I am using your template for a DMs Guild product. In the credits I include everyone's pronouns. I would like to do the same for you. What are your pronouns? Thank you.
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H October 13, 2022 4:20 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi Tracy, thanks for asking! My pronouns are she/her. However, I'd like to clarify that the only place I should be credited in your product, if at all, is using the line "Template: Simple Microsoft Word Template by Laura Hirsbrunner"—though you're welcome to add a parenthetical at the end of that saying "(she/her)". There should be nothing in the credits that suggests I collaborated on or was otherwise involved with a product that uses my template. :)
Reply
Customer avatar
Tracy G October 13, 2022 5:23 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Yep, I understand that. I was just adding to the template credit.

PS Love the template, you totally deserve credit for that.
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H October 13, 2022 5:41 pm UTC
CREATOR
Thanks so much, I'm delighted it's been a help to you! <3
Customer avatar
Bartholomew K August 28, 2022 10:56 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I don't see the parchment background in my download. How do I access this?
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H August 29, 2022 8:24 pm UTC
CREATOR
It's embedded in the word file, not a separate doc. If you have followed all of the setup instructions in the pdf, and it's still not showing up, try restarting your computer and reopening the template. Hope this helps!
Customer avatar
Penny B June 24, 2022 8:46 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Laura, this looks like such a great product - do you know if it would work with Open Office? Or is it only with Word? Many thanks for your time :)
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H June 25, 2022 12:47 am UTC
CREATOR
Word only, sorry!
Reply
Customer avatar
Penny B June 25, 2022 8:34 am UTC
PURCHASER
Aw, no worries - I really appreciate you getting back to me so quickly, thankyou! :)
Customer avatar
Craig W May 17, 2022 8:52 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Not sure where the issue lies, but I am unable to re-download this. I purchased it and downloaded it ages ago but had to redownload for my new PC. It doesn't show up in my library anymore and the links in the description don't work either. Anyone else having this issue or just me?
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H May 18, 2022 2:20 am UTC
CREATOR
Hi Craig, I haven't heard from anyone else having this problem, but it sounds like an issue your computer is having with the DMsGuild website, not something I can fix on my end.

Have you tried clearing your browser cache, restarting your computer, and then logging back into DMsGuild? (alternatively, try using a different web browser)

(If you're not sure how to clear your cache, this site walks you through it for each browser: https://clear-my-cache.com/windows.html )
Reply
Customer avatar
Craig W May 24, 2022 4:38 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I've cleared my cache and tried another browser but it's not working aaaand it confuses me. Any chance I can get a hold of you with a confirmation of my purchase to get a copy sent or something along those lines? Really not sure what's up here. I have no issues downloading anything else in my library. :(
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H May 26, 2022 3:55 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi Craig, I'd suggest getting in touch with DMsGuild support—I just confirmed the file downloads work fine with other template buyers so I'm not sure what the issue is, something may be buggy with your account. Let me know if they can't sort it out.
Customer avatar
Paul L January 22, 2022 8:39 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Laura - thanks for this great resource. Question - do you know how one would export the word doc, keeping your formatting, hyperlinks and the Table of Contents? So far I am able to export to pdf and keep hyperlinks and Table of Contents OR formatting, but not both. Thanks!
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H January 22, 2022 4:04 pm UTC
CREATOR
Hi Paul, yes, you should be able to do all three. An exported document should look exactly like the READ_ME_SECOND.pdf file in the DMsGuild download - that file was exported directly from the Sample Letter-Sized docx file.

Please confirm the following:
1) have you followed all instructions on the Using This Template page? (most importantly, running system updates & Office updates to make sure you're on the latest version)
2) have you followed all instructions on the Publishing Your Finished Document page? (most importantly the Saving to PDF step)
3) if the answer to both of those questions is "yes" and you're still having problems, please email me (my email is on credits page of template). In your email, please include your operating system (eg Windows 10), what version of Office you're using (if you know), and a copy of both the Word document and exported PDF that you're having problems with.

Thanks!
Reply
Customer avatar
Paul L January 23, 2022 6:20 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Laura - thanks for your reply. I was using a Mac for the editing and that seemed to be the issue. Switched over to a PC and it seemed to resolve. https://heart-of-arcana.itch.io/the-cradle-of-fire if you're interested in checking it out. Cheers.
Reply
Customer avatar
Laura H January 24, 2022 3:58 pm UTC
CREATOR
oh great, I'm glad it worked out. And the supplement looks snazzy, congrats on the release!! :)
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Product Information
Adamantine seller
Community Content
Author(s)
Rules Edition(s)
Pages
13
Format
Original electronic Click for more information
Scanned image
These products were created by scanning an original printed edition. Most older books are in scanned image format because original digital layout files never existed or were no longer available from the publisher.

For PDF download editions, each page has been run through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to attempt to decipher the printed text. The result of this OCR process is placed invisibly behind the picture of each scanned page, to allow for text searching. However, any text in a given book set on a graphical background or in handwritten fonts would most likely not be picked up by the OCR software, and is therefore not searchable. Also, a few larger books may be resampled to fit into the system, and may not have this searchable text background.

For printed books, we have performed high-resolution scans of an original hardcopy of the book. We essentially digitally re-master the book. Unfortunately, the resulting quality of these books is not as high. It's the problem of making a copy of a copy. The text is fine for reading, but illustration work starts to run dark, pixellating and/or losing shades of grey. Moiré patterns may develop in photos. We mark clearly which print titles come from scanned image books so that you can make an informed purchase decision about the quality of what you will receive.
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Original electronic format
These ebooks were created from the original electronic layout files, and therefore are fully text searchable. Also, their file size tends to be smaller than scanned image books. Most newer books are in the original electronic format. Both download and print editions of such books should be high quality.
File Last Updated:
April 29, 2020
This title was added to our catalog on April 28, 2020.