Exporting and Importing Bill Templates

Export/Import functionality enables creation of bill template 'libraries' and makes it possible to transfer them from location to location and organization to organization. This portability should enhance productivity and work flow for organizations/entities managing multiple organizations/databases.

To export a bill template:

1. Select Accounting > Templates. The Template Manager appears.
2. Click the folder icon(s) to navigate to the commodity under which the desired template exists.
3. Click to highlight the desired template for export.
4. From the File menu, select Export. The Confirm window will open.
5. Click Yes (or click No to cancel the export). The Save As window will open.
6. Select the desired path and file name. The file will be saved in .xml format.

To import a bill template:

1. Select Accounting > Templates. The Template Manager appears.
2. From the File menu, select Import. The Open window will open.
3. Click on the file to be imported. Then click the Open button. The template will be automatically saved in a commodity directory corresponding to the one in which it was originally created. 
   
   NOTES: ! During import, the TEMPLATE CODE is the determinant of the destination for the template line item information. This means it is very important to avoid duplication of template codes, to avoid unintended alteration of existing templates. !
   EXAMPLE: A template import file with a code of "CCF" intended for natural gas could be unintentionally imported into a water template with the same "CCF" code. The import process would create new line items in the water template, instead of creating a new CCF gas template.
   
   Also, be cautious importing template line items for an existing template, since imported line items will be appended to existing items (and not copied over).

See also: Cloning a Useful Template