What is the OFT file format?
.oft is an email template file associated with Microsoft Outlook. .oft templates allow users to create standardized email messages that share the same layout, font type, and formatting. Templates can be further customized to automatically adjust content depending on the recipient - form autofill scripts are also supported.
Internally, .oft uses the OLE2 Compound File Binary (CFB) container, the same low-level structure as .msg message files; the two are distinguished by how Outlook treats them, not by their file header. The 8-byte CFB signature D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 appears at offset 0 of every .oft file.
.oft templates can be created by saving a composed message as a template file (File → Save As → Outlook Template). Outlook supports two reusable-message approaches - Forms and .oft templates - where Forms allow quick data entry into message fields according to preselected rules. Building a robust template requires a good knowledge of Outlook's object model. Business templates typically use field autofill scripts with access to the contacts database.
A template can pre-fill the subject, body (HTML or RTF), recipients, attachments, and custom properties. On Windows, Outlook stores user templates by default in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates. A saved .oft can be shared with colleagues, used in automation via Outlook VBA macros, or opened directly to spawn a pre-filled compose window. Third-party tools can open or convert .oft files to .eml or plain text when Outlook is not available.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .oft is a binary Outlook item that can carry embedded attachments and HTML, so the same cautions as any email apply: an .oft from an untrusted source could contain a malicious attachment or phishing content that becomes a real message when you open it as a new email. Don't open or send templates from unknown sources, and let antivirus scan embedded attachments. Two extra notes: (1) older Outlook custom-form/template vulnerabilities have existed, so keep Outlook patched; (2) when using online .oft viewers/converters, never upload confidential or internal templates to third-party sites.
Format details
in a nutshell- OpenType Font File - Some font foundries/tools use .oft for an OpenType font; that is a font binary, opened with a font viewer/installer, unrelated to Outlook.
- OrCAD / older CAD library template - Rare legacy use of .oft as a library/template in some EDA/CAD tools; effectively obsolete.
Programs that open OFT files
Windows3 apps
7-Zip
Open-source Open the .oft as an OLE compound file to extract embedded attachments/streams when you only need what's inside (advanced/inspection). 
Microsoft Outlook (desktop)
Paid Double-click the .oft to start a new message from it, or Home > New Items > More Items > Choose Form > look in 'User Templates in File System'.
Free MSG/OFT viewer (e.g. Encryptomatic Free Viewer)
Free Open the .oft to view its content (subject, body, attachments) without Outlook; read-only. 
macOS1 app
Outlook for Mac
Paid Mac Outlook can use templates, though native .oft handling is limited; importing the template content is the practical route.
Online MSG/OFT viewer/converter
Free Upload the .oft to preview its content in the browser or convert it to EML/HTML/PDF without installing software (avoid uploading confidential templates). Technical details
deep spec| Container format | OLE2 Compound File Binary (CFB) - same low-level binary container as legacy .doc and .xls files |
| File signature (magic bytes) | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 (8 bytes at offset 0) |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-outlook |
| Internal data model | MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) properties stored as named streams and storages inside the CFB container |
| Body format options | HTML or Rich Text Format (RTF), stored in separate MAPI property streams |
| Pre-fillable fields | Subject, To/CC/BCC recipients, body text, file attachments, and custom MAPI properties |
| Default template storage path (Windows) | %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates |
| Reuse behavior | Opening an .oft spawns a new compose window pre-filled with template content; the file itself is not modified or sent |
| Relationship to .msg | Structurally identical to the .msg format; Outlook distinguishes them by file extension and association rather than internal structure |
| Scripting and automation support | Supports Outlook VBA macros and form-autofill scripts; templates can access the Outlook Contacts database for field population |
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
| Primary platform | Windows (Microsoft Outlook desktop client); partial support available in Outlook for Mac |
| Unicode and multilingual support | Yes; text is stored as UTF-16 in MAPI PR_BODY_W and PR_HTML property streams |
| Released | Microsoft Outlook (template Save As 'Outlook Template'); long-standing across Outlook versions |
| Specification | learn.microsoft.com |
OFT conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about OFT files.
