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What is a template?
A template is one or more Prism data tables, along with linked sheets. You can start a project from a template, and can insert a template into a project.
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Templates are an older feature, and we recommend you use cloning instead.
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Saving a template
You must save a template before you can use it.
To create a Prism template:
| 1. | Create a new file with data from a representative experiment, with all necessary info sheets, analyses and graphs. |
| 2. | Erase the portions of the data that will change with each experiment (for example, erase the Y values but leave the X values and the column titles). |
| 3. | Switch to the sheet that you want to see when you open the template, usually a data table. Also position the insertion point to the spot where you will first want to enter data. |
| 4. | Pull down the File menu or Prism toolbar, choose Save Special, and then choose Save Template. |
| 5. | Choose a category, or create a new one. Then enter a new name for the template file or choose to overwrite an existing template. |
| 6. | If your project has more than one data table, choose whether to make a template from the entire file or just the current data table and linked sheets. |
| 7. | Enter a description or instructions which will be shown every time someone uses this template. You may leave this blank. |
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Templates don't have to contain only one data table. If your experiment has several parts, create a template with two or more data tables.
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Opening a template
| 1. | From the Prism Welcome dialog, select the template you wish to use. This will create a new Prism file identical to your template. |
| 2. | Replace the data in the data table and all graphs and analyses will update. |
| 3. | If the template was saved with a description and/or instructions, these will appear in a dialog superimposed over the data table. Enter your new data and view the updated graphs and results. |
| 4. | When you save the new file, Prism will prompt you for a new file name, leaving your template file unchanged. |
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Templates don't have to perform any analyses. You can create a template that only makes a graph.
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Templates vs. cloning
Templates and cloning have similar purposes. Cloning duplicates a graph with linked sheets. Templates consist of a data table and linked sheets. You can clone any graph in an open file, or a recently used file. You can also save graphs to use as examples. Templates, in contrast, must be saved.
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