Power Pages (earlier known as Power Apps Portals) has become one of the go-to low-code solutions for building secure, data-driven websites. Whether you're creating customer self-service portals, partner portals, or internal sites, page templates play a very crucial role.

In this blog, we’ll understand what a Page Template is in Power Pages, why it matters, and how you can create your own custom page template using the Portal Management app.

📘 What is a Page Template in Power Pages?

A Page Template in Power Pages defines the layout and logic for rendering a webpage. Think of it like a reusable blueprint or master page — whenever a web page uses a specific page template, it inherits the structure and behavior defined in it.

These templates are tightly coupled with either Web Templates (Liquid-based) or custom ASP.NET (.aspx) pages.

📌 Key Purpose of Page Templates

🧱 Types of Page Templates

There are two major types of page templates you’ll typically encounter:

  1. Web Template-based
    Uses Liquid code (open-source template language from Shopify). Most Power Pages now use this method.
  2. Rewrite URL or Web File-based
    Used when linking directly to custom .aspx pages or external files.

🛠️ How to Create a New Page Template in Portal Management?

Let’s now get into the actual steps to create a custom Page Template using the Portal Management Model-Driven App.

✅ Prerequisites

🔧 Steps to Create a New Page Template

  1. Log in to Power Apps Admin Center
  2. Navigate to Page Templates
    • On the left pane, expand Page Templates
    • Click on Page Templates
      Active page template
  3. Click on “+ New”
    • Provide a name for the page template (Ex: CustomBlogLayoutTemplate)
    • Select the Type:
      • Choose Web Template if you're writing custom Liquid
      • Choose Rewrite if you're pointing to an ASPX page.
        New page template
  4. Link a Web Template
    • If you selected Web Template, then select or create a new Web Template
      • You can click on the lookup and choose + New Web Template
      • Add Liquid code for layout or logic
        New page template

Select a new web Template/choose an existing one.

Unsaved changes

Here I am going to use the existing one.

Click Save.

Note: If we are creating a new one, use this below web template code.

Example

liquid

<div class="custom-layout">
  <h1>{{ page.title }}</h1>
  <div>
    {{ page.content }}
  </div>
</div>
  1. Set Website and Other Properties
    • Select the Website this applies to
    • Set Is Default if you want this to be the fallback template
  2. Save and Publish

That’s it! You have now successfully created a custom Page Template.

🧪 Test Your Page Template

To test it, go to Web Pages > create a new page > link it to your newly created page template. Once saved, browse the page on your Power Pages site and verify your layout and logic.

🧠 Pro Developer Tips

📎 Final Thoughts

Page Templates are a core part of Power Pages architecture, enabling modular design and custom rendering logic. Whether you're a beginner working on a simple support site or an advanced developer building dynamic business portals, mastering page templates gives you full control over your website experience.