Using Templates in iDailyDiary

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In iDailyDiary, how do you use Templates, and what can they be used for?

In summary:

1. A Template is simply some standard diary content stored in a Template Entry. This Template Entry can then be re-used and applied to other diary entries.

2. You might want to re-use a standard document layout, headings, particular fonts or colors. These can be set up in a Template.

3. Once you have set up a Template, you can apply it manually into any other entry using Insert - Insert Template, and choose the one you want. Or use the Insert Template toolbar button.

4. Templates can be automatically applied to new diary entries using some simple rules, such as Every Monday or By Name. (Only version 3.84 and higher)

How do I create a new Template?

To create a new Template entry the easiest way is to start with an existing diary entry or sticky entry that has content that you would like to save and re-use as a template. With the mouse right-click the tab and choose Save as Template, or if you click the Insert Template toolbar button the Save as Template option also appears on there. Save as Template will take the entire contents of the currently displayed entry, and save it to a new template entry. You will be prompted to give the template a name, this will then create a new entry in the Templates list, and it will appear as a new template tab at the top.

Note at this point you now have the Template open, not the original entry, so any further changes you make will be saved to the Template.

How do I edit an existing Template that isn't already open?

If you want to change an existing template, just find it in the template list (tree-view), double click it and it will open up as a separate tab again where you can edit it.

Why does the Template Entry that I have open for editing, close again when I change dates?

Because templates are generally opened for short periods to be created/edited etc, iDailyDiary automatically closes the open template tab at the top when you move away to other dates (let us know if this behavior is a problem).

How do I manually insert my Template into another diary entry?

You can do this four ways, i) through Insert - Insert Template menu, ii) using the mouse Right-click and choose Insert - Insert Template menu, iii) click the Insert Template toolbar button, or iv) from the Templates tree-view list drag and drop the template onto your diary page. (Note double-clicking the template in the tree-view list does not insert it into the diary entry, it opens the template for editing).

iDailyDiary will insert your template at the position where your text cursor is. It will not overwrite existing text in your diary entry, the inserted template will be added in.

How do I automatically apply my Template to a new entry? (Only version 3.84 and higher)

Templates can be automatically applied to new diary entries. For entries that get created automatically every day, the template is applied when you open that daily entry for the first time. For entries created manually the template is applied after the entry is named.

When you right-click a tab, at the bottom of the popup menu is an option to Automatically Apply Template. This will open the dialog where you can set up simple rules to automatically apply a Template entry to a new Diary or Sticky entry.

In the dialog - the Entries tab shows a list of Templates you have created, and at the bottom you can set up a rule to apply. The Template Rules tab shows any rules you already have set up, and you can delete them from here.

On the Entries tab, first choose the Template you would like to apply automatically, then at the bottom choose the rule you would like to use, then click Add Rule to save it. Rules can be applied to daily Diary entries, Sticky tabs and the new Entry Name. You can use an asterisk * to indicate a wildcard in an entry name.

Here are some examples:

I have a template called Daily Headings I would like to apply to every new Diary Entry, every day, regardless of name. Use the rule Every Diary Entry, Where Name = *

I have a template called Project Layout I would like to only apply to new Sticky Entries that I have put the word Project in the name. Use the rule Every Sticky Entry, Where Name = Project*

I have a template called ToDo Lists I would like to apply to both Diary and Sticky entries that I put the word ToDo in the name. Create two rules, Every Diary Entry, Where Name = ToDo*. Every Sticky Entry, Where Name = ToDo*

I have a Weekday template layout I like to use Monday - Friday, and a Weekend template layout for Weekends. Create seven new rules, one for Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri - which uses the Weekday template, and two rules covering Every Sat, Sun that uses the Weekend template.