Managing template objects

Introduction

 Template objects can be used in menu functions. For example, when creating a document or ECO for an item. 

The available templates are listed in the menu.

Any data fields set by the menu function are kept. The rest of the data fields and possible file are read from the template.

 Configuration

There are two main behaviours available to set on the menu selection.

 Show templates on:

• OnPlusButton – a + symbol is shown on the menu selection. This selection lists the available templates. If the normal menu text is clicked no template is used.
• OnMenuItem – The function always uses a template. The + symbol is not displayed.

 The template selection is skipped in both cases when the search criteria only returns one template.

The criteria used to list the templates is defined on the menu function.

 Commonly the type tree is used as one of the criteria.

The value $Typetree$ can be used to read the value defined in the stylesheet of the menu function. Optionally you can enter the path directly “Documents,Document”.

Any other criteria can also be used to specify the templates to use.

Menus pointing to abstract types

Menu functions may point to abstract types.

In this case the menu selection prompts the user to select a subtype.

If you have set the configuration option to show templates on menu item, the system expects the templates to hold the correct type information. The menu directly lists the templates and never prompts for the subtype selection.

If you have set the configuration option to show templates on plus button, clicking the + button on the main menu does the same as the previous option. If you just click on the menu text the subtype selection is displayed. You can also select at template here, but in this case the selected subtype overrides whatever is specified in the template.

This option gives the user plenty of freedom but it can be a little confusing.

The show templates on menu item is the best option when you have at least one template for each subtype.

When you want to use common templates for different subtypes, show templates on plus button is better.