Record Templates

How to use Record Templates to pre-fill a form with a default value when a new record is created.

Record Templates allow you to have any record filled with a pre-existing value when you open a form. For example, if you set the Priority field to “Low” then every time you create a new object where this field is available, its priority will be set to “Low” automatically unless you physically change it on the form itself.

Everywhere a record can be created, the record templates that have been made available for that record type can be used.

To create a new record template, click Start > Configuration > Customisation > Record Types > [select type of object] > Record Templates > New Record Template.  

How to create record templates

Within Tasks create a Task Record Template here to setup an “On Site Visit” template. Create a new Record Template using the above method:

• (1) Set the name: It’s important that you do not include apostrophes in the naming of your Record Templates as doing so will cause problems with the rendering of your Workbooks User Interface.
• (2) Set the description: This will help users to identify where each Record Template is being used on your database.
• (3) Set the context: For Tasks and Meetings there is an extra field on the Template form called Context.
  • Use the dropdown to select ‘Schedule’ if you want the template to apply to Tasks or Meetings scheduled to happen in the future.
  • If the template is to be applied to Tasks or Meetings that have already happened, choose ‘Record’. These Tasks and Meetings will automatically be given a status of Complete (and thus will have an Associated State of Closed).
• (4) Published Checkbox: Make sure to tick the checkbox next to Published otherwise the template won’t be available for use within your database.

Next, we need to set the fields that we wish to have a default value. You’ll see a list of greyed out fields (5) at the bottom of the newly created Record Template. These are the fields that do not currently have a value set. We’ll use “Priority” in this example, click on it to open:

• (1) Apply Default Value: Put a tick in the checkbox next to Apply Value, which allows you to enter a value in the (2) Value field. You can use the dropdown picklist to select an existing value or type in a new one. Let’s add High. This status will be filled in automatically when a new Task is created using this template.
• Click (3) Save & Close.

You can set as many default values as you like including any Custom Fields that you might have configured. If you choose to add a default value on the “Assigned to” value, it’s worth noting that if you set the value to “Me”, every record created using that template will show your name in the Assigned to field, not the creating User’s name.

When you are happy, remember to click Save & Close on the Record Template itself. Notice that when we click Start > New > Task, the Record Template can now be selected. Creating a Task in this way, ensures that any default we set previously applies to this record: