Creating a document template

You can create a blank template, start with an existing template and use its content, start with an existing template and remove its content, or start with a sample template.

Before you begin

Every template is associated with a blank document specification by default. When you preview or publish a template from the Document Studio application, this blank document specification can be customized or used without customization to generate the output. The Document Studio keeps the template in sync with the default document specification when you open or save the template.

Creating a blank document template

Procedure

  1. In the Document Studio application, click File > New > Document Template.
  2. Optional: Enter the metadata for the template:
    • Name: A metadata name for the template. This name is only in the metadata and not a name for the file to be saved as.
    • Description: An explanation of the content in the template or context for other users to work with the template.
  3. Select a template version.
    • Template version 1 (RPE 1.1.2.2 and older): Use the functionality from Rational® Publishing Engine 1.1.2.2 and earlier and not the additional functionality introduced in Rational Publishing Engine 1.2.
    • Template version 2 (current RPE version): Use the additional functionality introduced in Rational Publishing Engine 1.2.

      To use the same template version for every new template, select Use a specific template version in the Document design preferences.

    Tip: The template version you choose must align with the supported template version of the data provider. Verify that your data provider supports version 2 templates before using them.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. Click OK. A blank template opens and you can begin dragging elements from the Palette view into the template content editor.
  6. Click File > Save As or click the Save icon on the toolbar. Select a location and enter a file name with a .dta extension. If you entered a metadata name for the template, this name is the suggested name for the .dta file.
    Note: You cannot save the template with an asterisk in the file name, even if it was used for the metadata name. If there is an asterisk in the file name, the asterisk is used as a filter when displaying the other files that are available in the directory. If another file matches the pattern in the suggested name for the template, that file displays.

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