Free User Story Templates: Word, Excel & PDF Downloads (2025)

Download 6+ ready-to-use user story templates for different scenarios and industries. Each template includes examples and best practices.

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📋 User Story Template Overview

The Standard User Story Format

"As a [user type], I want [functionality] so that [benefit]"

This simple three-part structure ensures your user stories are clear, focused, and valuable. Each component serves a specific purpose in communicating user needs effectively.

👤

User Type

Who is the user? Be specific about their role, needs, and context.

🎯

Functionality

What does the user want to do? Focus on the action or feature needed.

💡

Benefit

Why does the user need this? What value or outcome will it provide?

📝 Basic User Story Template

Template Structure

As a [user type/persona]
I want to [functionality/feature]
So that [benefit/value]

Acceptance Criteria:
- Given [context/state]
- When [action/trigger]
- Then [expected outcome]
- And [additional conditions]

Definition of Done:
- [ ] Feature implemented
- [ ] Tests written and passing
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] Code reviewed
- [ ] Deployed to staging

Example

As a online shopper

I want to save items to a wishlist

So that I can purchase them later when I'm ready

Acceptance Criteria:

  • Given I am viewing a product page
  • When I click "Add to Wishlist"
  • Then the item is saved to my wishlist
  • And I see a confirmation message
  • And I can view my wishlist from the account menu

🎯 Epic Template

Epic Structure

Epic: [Epic Name]
Business Value: [Why this epic matters to the business]
User Value: [Why this epic matters to users]

Epic Description:
[High-level description of the epic and its goals]

User Stories in this Epic:
- [Story 1]: As a [user], I want [feature] so that [benefit]
- [Story 2]: As a [user], I want [feature] so that [benefit]
- [Story 3]: As a [user], I want [feature] so that [benefit]

Success Metrics:
- [Metric 1]: [Target value]
- [Metric 2]: [Target value]
- [Metric 3]: [Target value]

Dependencies:
- [Dependency 1]
- [Dependency 2]

Timeline:
- Start: [Date]
- Target Completion: [Date]

Example

Epic: Mobile App Redesign

Business Value: Increase user engagement and reduce churn by 25%

User Value: Provide a modern, intuitive mobile experience that users love

Epic Description:

Complete redesign of our mobile app with modern UI/UX, improved performance, and new features based on user feedback.

User Stories in this Epic:

  • As a mobile user, I want a faster app so that I can complete tasks quickly
  • As a mobile user, I want an intuitive navigation so that I can find features easily
  • As a mobile user, I want offline functionality so that I can use the app without internet

✅ Acceptance Criteria Templates

Given-When-Then Template

Given [initial context/state]
When [action/trigger occurs]
Then [expected outcome]
And [additional expected outcomes]

Example:
Given I am logged in as a premium user
When I try to access the advanced analytics feature
Then I should see the analytics dashboard
And I should be able to export data to CSV

Checklist Template

Acceptance Criteria:
- [ ] [Specific requirement 1]
- [ ] [Specific requirement 2]
- [ ] [Specific requirement 3]
- [ ] [Error handling requirement]
- [ ] [Performance requirement]

Example:
- [ ] User can create a new account with email and password
- [ ] System validates email format before submission
- [ ] User receives confirmation email within 5 minutes
- [ ] System shows error message for invalid email format
- [ ] Account creation completes within 3 seconds

Related Resources

📚 User Story Examples

See real user story examples from successful product teams across different industries.

View Examples

🤖 User Story Generator

Use AI to generate user stories and acceptance criteria for your features.

Try Generator

🎯 User Story Generator Prompt

Get the AI prompt to generate user stories with ChatGPT and other AI tools.

Get Prompt

📋 PRD Templates

Complete Product Requirements Document templates that include user stories.

View PRD Templates

📥 Downloadable Template Formats

📄

Word Templates

Ready-to-use Microsoft Word templates for user stories, epics, and acceptance criteria.

• Basic user story template
• Epic template with sub-stories
• Acceptance criteria checklist
• Team retrospective template
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Excel Templates

Spreadsheet templates with formulas for tracking and managing user stories.

• Story tracking spreadsheet
• Velocity calculation template
• Backlog prioritization matrix
• Sprint planning worksheet
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PDF Templates

Print-ready PDF templates for physical story cards and documentation.

• Printable story cards
• Epic poster template
• Team charter template
• Definition of done checklist

All templates are free to download and customize for your team's needs.

Related Resources for Product Managers

📝 User Story Examples & Tools

See these templates in action with real examples and AI-powered tools.

→ 8 Real User Story Examples with Acceptance Criteria → Complete User Story Generator Guide → AI User Story Generator Prompt

📊 Product Requirements & Planning

Use these templates alongside comprehensive product planning resources.

→ Real PRD Examples from Tech Companies → Downloadable PRD Templates → Roadmap Prioritization Prompts

🔬 Research & User Insights

Understand your users to create better user stories with these research tools.

→ Customer Interview Analyzer → Research Synthesis Guide → Competitive Analysis Framework

🚀 AI-Powered Product Management

Accelerate your user story creation with AI tools and automation.

→ ChatGPT for Product Managers Guide → Best AI Prompts for Product Managers → AI Prototyping for Product Managers

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