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You can save and store StoryTeller objects (elements), groups of objects, a slide, or group of slides (a report) to be reused in other projects. After applying all the settings that you want on an object (such as setting the fonts, colors, etc. to match your corporate branding), you can then save that object as a template to be reused.
There are four types of templates:
- A single object: An object of any type such as a text box, chart, image, etc.
- A group of objects: Multiple objects of any type that have been grouped together
- A slide
- A report (multiple slides)
1: Creating a Template
To save a report, slide, single object or group of objects as a template, right-click to open the context menu.
Select Templates, then select from the following options:
Save slide as template
Save report as template
Save element as template (only shown if a single object is selected)
Save group as template (only shown if a group of objects are selected)
If you are unable to save a template to the library, select Save layout first. This saves the report settings to the database.
Next, select a folder to store the template in (to add a new folder, see Using the Template Library) and enter a Template Name. The rest of the fields are optional.
Optional fields include:
Tags: used when searching. Adding tags allows you to find your templates easier.
Description: Enter details of the templates based on your company's needs.
Good for: Enter details of the templates based on your company's needs.
Insert the object(s) in source position: Inserts the object in a specific position of the slide. Use when saving objects such as main headers, footers, logos, or any object.
The Save as new button is disabled until a Template Name has been entered.
To relocate a template, see the Template Library.
1.1: Template Settings
When a data object is saved into the Template Library, most settings are saved into the template. This process can take a few minutes depending on the number of settings and objects being saved.
Some settings depend on specific variables, such as sorting by value in charts and tables. These settings cannot be saved since they refer to the selected variables in the object. Settings which refer to other objects, such as “Sort on other chart” and “Links” in Text objects are not saved either. Selected questions, answers, hierarchical filter settings and formatting rules in respondent tables are also not saved. No settings are saved in the Cross table object when it is saved as a template.
Note: Use the regular Table object if the purpose is to save it as a template.
When saving Word clouds and Respondent tables as templates, the codes of the included questions and filters are stored as a part of the template. When a template is loaded, it will be populated with the right variables automatically based on matching codes.
Data related items saved into the template library in a Respondent table template:
Questions, including sort order and custom titles
Filters, including time period
Optional filter exclusions
Formatting rules
Data related items saved into the template library in a Word cloud template:
Questions, including sort order and custom titles
Filters, including time period
2: Editing a Template's Settings
To replace an existing template or edit the settings in the object (such as chart type, interval, layout etc.), select the template you wish to replace in the Template Library. Then insert the template into a report.
Next, edit the object in the report as you would normally. Right-click on the object to open the context menu. Select Templates, then select the appropriate option.
In the template library, select the template you initially inserted (instead of selecting a folder).
Select the option Update existing. A confirmation message will appear when you select Update existing so that you will avoid overwriting existing templates by mistake.
Your template has been updated.
To relocate a template, see the Template Library.
3: Editing a Template's Details
In the Template Library, the template's details (Name, Tags, etc.) can be edited. A template itself can also be moved to another folder or deleted.
To update the Template details (Name, Tags, Description and Good for), enter the Template Library.
Mouse over the template and select Edit (the pen icon).
Make the changes, then select Update existing. The changes will be saved.
4: Deleting a Template
To delete a template, open the Template Library.
Then mouse over the template, select the Delete button (trash can icon) shown when you mouse over. A confirmation box appears to avoid deleting templates by mistake.