---
title: "How to Create and Use Templates"
url: "https://help.decipherrisk.com/en/article/how-to-create-and-use-templates"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-01-19T16:21:37.792Z"
---

# How to Create and Use Templates

### **Summary**

Templates **save time** by reducing repetitive work, **standardizing** outputs, and **improving efficiency** across teams. You can create a new template from scratch or clone one from an existing record in the **Issue**, **Action Plan**, **Risk Scenario** and **Audit Plan** registers.  You can also **convert** a **template** into a **record** or a **record** into a **template**.

### **Creating a New Template**

To build a new Template:

1.  Go to the **Issue**, **Action Plan**, **Risk Scenario** or **Audit Plan** register view.
2.  Click **Create Issue**, **Create Action Plan**, or **Create Risk Scenario** in the **top-right corner**.
3.  Select the **Department** that will own the template.
4.  Check **Create as Template** box
5.  Fill in the fields with the information you want pre-populated in future records.
6.  Click **Submit**.

### **Clone an Existing Record into a Template**

To create a Template using data from an existing record:

1.  Open the **Issue**, **Action Plan**, **Risk Scenario** or **Audit Plan** you want to use as a base.
2.  Click **Clone as Template** in the **top-right corner**.
3.  Enter a **Title** for the new template.
4.  Click **Submit**. 

### **Convert an Existing Record into a Template**

An existing record can be **converted** into a template.  The new template will appear in the template register and **the existing record will no longer be** in the Issue/Action Plan/Scenario Register.

Convert an Existing record into a  Template:

1.  Go to the **Issue**, **Action Plan**, or **Risk Scenario** register view.
2.  Find the record that will be turned into the **Template**. 
3.  Navigate to **Clone as Template** in the **top-right corner**.
4.  **Click the down arrow** and choose **Convert to Template**.
5.  Answer **Yes** to the question prompt. 

### **Convert a Template to a Record**

A Template can be converted to a Record.  The new record will appear in the register view and **the Template will no longer exist** in the Template register.

To Convert a Template to a Record:

1.  Go to the **Issue**, **Action Plan**, or **Risk Scenario** register view.
2.  Click the **Template** tab. 
3.  Navigate to **Clone as Issue/Action Plan/Risk Scenario** in the **top-right corner**.
4.  **Click the down arrow** and choose **Convert to Issue/Action Plan/Risk Scenario**.
5.  Answer **Yes** to the question prompt.

### **Where to Find Your Templates**

Templates appear in the **Register view** under the **Templates** tab.