Templates allow you to reuse report layouts, visualization aspects and formatting of your reports instead of recreating them each time. Base a template on an existing report in which the views, report text, hyperlinks, and formatting are set up in the desired way.

New data is loaded automatically into template placeholders, which you define. You can also save trial data from a report in specific non-placeholder nodes. Placeholders correspond to the data tree in the Data Bar.

For more information, see:

Create a template

1. Open a report that has trial data already imported or create a blank report and import data.
2. Ensure that the report on which you want to base the template is complete and as you want it.
   Ensure it includes the required averaged data, arrangement of pane views, hyperlinks, Text pane formatting and text, and the number of trials imported.
3. On the Home ribbon, click the arrow under the Save As button, then from the drop-down menu select Save as Template. (Or on the Quick Access Bar, click the New Report down arrow.)
4. In the Save As dialog box, browse to the path if you are not already in the correct location.
5. In the Report Name field, type the name of the template (filename.tpl) and click Save.
   If a dialog box prompts you to create the directory, click Yes.
   The Select Placeholders dialog box opens. This dialog box mirrors the upper portion of the Data Bar in the currently open report and lets you select the trials and data on which to base your template.
6. Select the placeholders to include, if not already selected.
   To include ALL data from a trial, click the check box next to the trial(s) you want to include.
   To include only certain data from a trial, expand the trial node by clicking the plus sign next to it. Then select the check box next to the data node that you want to include.
   If the report on which you're basing the template includes averaged data, you don't need to select the check box next to the Averaged node. The averaged data will already be in place in the template.

   Tip: The Text Files node is for display purposes only and cannot be used as a placeholder.

7. Click OK.
   Trials that are included in the template are displayed in the lower panel of the Data Bar.
8. Use the template when you create a new report.

Generate a report with a specified template

When opening a new report, you may want to have Polygon automatically load a specific template for a given number of marked trials. The Automatic Template Setup Rules table lets you associate a different template to the number of marked trials in the Data Manager. This enables Polygon to search for the required template automatically, rather than selecting files by hand.

Generate a report that automatically uses a specific report template:

1. On the Home ribbon, click the Template Rules button.
   The Automatic Template Rules Setup dialog box opens.
2. Click Add to until the number of desired Files to Import match the number of trials associated with your template.
3. Double-click the line you just added.
   The Open dialog box opens, enabling you to browse to the location of the template.
4. When you're done, click OK.

Change the template to use:

1. On the Home ribbon, click the Template Rules button.
   The Automatic Template Rules Setup dialog box opens.
2. Under Template File Name, select the template to change and then click Edit.
3. Browse to the location of a new template and click OK.
4. Make sure the template is selected in the Setup dialog box and click OK.

Discontinue using the template for new reports:

1. On the Home ribbon, click the Template Rules button.
   The Automatic Template Rules Setup dialog box opens.
2. Under Template File Name, select the template to discontinue using and then click Remove.
   The template is removed from the list.

Practice working with templates

Part 1

1. Import several files into your report. Use the Data tab to select averaging options and create an Average node.
2. Create a template using non-placeholders, ie, a template that has comparative data.
3. Create a template that will automatically average imported trials.
4. Save each report.
5. Test each template.

Part 2

1. Create an automatic template for four trials, two with a good left nomination in Eclipse and two with a good right nomination.
2. Test!