Rename Templates Using Template Manager

Sometimes as you work with complex template sets, you may want to rename templates. However, renaming templates in HotDocs isn't as easy as simply renaming the template and component file using Windows Explorer. References to the template must be updated in the library. References to the file in other templates must also be updated. Additionally, any other dependent files (such as clause libraries and clause archive files) must also be renamed.

Template Manager allows you to rename a template and have all the corresponding files and references to the template in other templates updated as well. For example, if you rename a clause library, both its component file and clause archive file will be renamed. If the clause library is inserted in any templates, the INSERT instruction will be updated with the new file name.

To rename templates using Template Manager

  1. Start Template Manager. (See Open and Close Template Manager.) Template Manager opens.

You should select all of the templates in the library before starting Template Manager. This makes it easier to update file names throughout the template set.  

  1. Optionally, right-click anywhere in the file list and choose Show File Names from the shortcut menu. This lists templates by file name rather than title, making it easier to identify which files you want to rename.
  2. Select the file you want to rename from the file list and click Rename. The Rename Files dialog box appears.
  3. Type the new file name in the New file name field. Do not include a file name extension.
  4. As you enter the new file name, Template Manager updates the file list below so you can see which files will be updated.
  5. Click Rename. Template Manager renames all the appropriate files and updates references in the template library. It also searches through other files in the library and updates any INSERT or ASSEMBLE instructions with the new file name information.

If you are renaming a template whose component file is pointed to a shared component file, Template Manager will rename the pointed component file and repoint it to the shared file.