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Every site should contain at least one template. This template will be used when creating your pages. The pages will "inherit" from the template. Templates are used to provide a framework for your page content. It also makes it easy to update a template and have the changes reflected on all your pages!

The Template Manager provides access to all functionality related to a template. To access Template Manager click on the Template tab on the tab bar at the top of any page.

The Template Manager displays a list of all your templates and buttons to perform various tasks. You can perform the following tasks:

• Add a new template
• Edit an existing template
• Delete an existing template
• Save a template with a different name
• Preview a template

Note: The easiest way to edit, delete, save as, or preview a template is to click the button associated with the template. You can also click on the buttons at the top of the page. If so, the system will prompt you for the name of the template.

To add a template, click on the Add Template button. The system displays the Add a Template form. You have several options when adding a new template. Depending on your choice, additional options are displayed.

To add a blank template (a template with no sections are columns):

1. Enter a new name for the template.
2. Click on the Blank Template radio button. The Add Template button displays.
3. Click on the Add Template button when done.

To add a custom template (a template with pre-defined sections and columns):

1. Enter a new name for the template.
2. Click on the Custom Layout radio button. Additional fields display to add up to 3 sections. Specify names for the sections and the number of columns to add. This is an easy way to quickly build a framework for your template.
3. Click on the Add Template button when done.

To copy an existing template:

1. Enter a new name for the template.
2. Click on the Copy a Template radio button. A drop-down list displays to select an existing template.
3. Click on the Add Template button when done.

To inherit from a template: (add a template by inheriting from an existing template)

1. Enter a new name for the template.
2. Click on the Inherit from Template radio button. A drop-down list displays of templates that include a placeholder item.
   
3. Click on the Add Template button when done.

To add a frame page template:

1. Enter a new name for the template.
2. Click on the Frame Page radio button.
3. Click on the Add Template button when done.

The system creates a new template and displays the Edit Template form.

Note: You can also add any template from one of our themes. To add a template from a theme click on the link and follow the instructions on the wizard.

To edit a template, click on the Edit button associated with the template you want. The system displays the Edit a Template form. You can edit the template in layout mode or preview mode.

Note: In Preview Mode you can only edit the items on the template. To change sections or columns, you must be in layout mode. Also note, that you cannot edit components from a template. You must edit the component itself.

For detailed instructions how to edit a template, click here.

To delete a template you no longer need, click on the delete button associated with the template. The system displays the Delete a Template form.

The template is not immediately deleted. You are given another chance to change your mind. If you are sure you want to delete the template, click on the Delete Template button. The system deletes the template.

Warning: Make sure you no longer use the template before deleting it. Otherwise, any templates or pages that use the template will not display properly.

To preview a template, click on the Preview button associated with the template. The system displays the template as it will look to visitors.

Note: When previewing a template, the system uses the unpublished list of styles. Any changes you made to a style will be displayed. Visitors will not see the change until the styles are published. This is done so you can see how your changes will effect your templates before you publish them.

You can make a copy of your template and you can save any template as a template or page. Remember, components, templates and pages are structurally the same. The only difference is how they are used.

To save a template with a different name, click on the Save As button associated with the template. The system displays the Save Template As form. To make a copy of the template, follow these steps:

1. Select Page, Template or Component to save the template as.
2. Enter a new name for the template.
3. Click on the Save Template As button.

Note: If the template contains one or more placeholders, you can only save it as another template. You cannot save a template with a placeholder as a component or a page. In this case, you will not be able to select Page or Component above.

The system will make a copy of the template with the new name and store it as the type you specified.

Note: If an object already exists with the new name, the system will display a warning and not override the existing object.

After copying the template, the system displays the appropriate Edit form (Edit a Component, Edit a Template, or Edit a Page) depending on what type of object you chose to save the template as.