> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://valuemap.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates

Reusable benefit and cost structures you can apply when building out an initiative.

While a Variable captures a single reusable value, a Template captures an entire benefit or cost object, its type, estimated value, interval, confidence interval, notes, and growth rate, so you can reapply a known structure instead of rebuilding one from scratch every time.

## Why use Templates

* **Consistency**: every initiative that uses a Template starts from the same well-defined structure, instead of a benefit or cost rebuilt by hand each time
* **Speed**: no need to re-enter type, interval, confidence interval, and growth rate individually for common benefit or cost patterns
* **Standardization**: gives everyone in the org a shared starting point for common benefit and cost object, reducing variation across initiatives

## Who can create a Template

Only **Super Admin** or **Admin** can save a Template. Templates are created from an existing benefit or cost object on an initiative, capturing its key details as a reusable structure.

Once saved, a Template is available to **anyone in the organization** to use when building out a benefit or cost object, regardless of their role.

## Creating a Template

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the initiative containing the benefit or cost object you want to save as a Template" />

  <Step title="Locate the benefit or cost object in the Benefits or Costs tab" />

  <Step title="Select the option in the overflow menu to save it as a Template" />

  <Step title="Choose a name for the template" />

  <Step title="Save" />

  <Step title="The Template is now available org-wide." />
</Steps>

## Using a Template

To add a benefit or cost object from a Template:

<Steps>
  <Step title="In the initiative, go to the Benefits or Costs tab" />

  <Step title="Click the dropdown next to &#x22;+ Add benefit&#x22; (or &#x22;+ Add cost&#x22;)" />

  <Step title="Select Add from template" />

  <Step title="Choose the Template you'd like to use" />

  <Step title="The new benefit or cost object is created with the Template's saved details already filled in, ready to adjust for the specifics of your initiative." />
</Steps>

<Note>
  **A note on updating Templates**<br />Applying a Template copies its details into a new benefit or cost object at that moment. Like Variables, this is a snapshot: if the Template is updated later, benefit or cost objects already created from it will not automatically update. Only new objects created after the update will reflect the latest version.
</Note>