---
alias: user-guide-templates
description: "Templates are pre-defined entities used to generate similar entities within the system"
---

# Templates

A **Template** is a pre-filled Entity with values and properties from which you can create other similar Entities.

To create a **Template** in Critical Manufacturing MES you must have the following [Features](../administration/security/features.md) associated to your User or Role:

:lock: *EntityTypeName*.**CreateTemplate**

:lock: *EntityTypeName*.**CreateFromTemplate**

You can create a **Template** by accessing the Entity page and selecting **More** on the top ribbon:

![Screenshot showing an Entity page with "More" selected from the top ribbon.](images/template_1.png)

Select **New Template** to create it. Fill in the properties that you want to use in future for Entities created from this **Template**:

![Screenshot showing a template creation form with fields for "4H Create Maree" and "aera Teratne".](images/template_2.png)

When the **Template** is created it is clearly identified as such through a visual notation next to its Name and Universal State:

![Screenshot showing a template creation form with fields for properties and entities.](images/template_3.png)

And you can use it, as often as needed, to create other similar Entities by selecting **New from Template** on the top ribbon:

![Screenshot showing a material template with details.](images/template_4.png)

By doing so, the **Template** properties will already be filled in:

![Screenshot showing a template with filename "template 5" displayed.](images/template_5.png)

Alternatively, you can use the **New from Template** and select the **Template** you want:

![Screenshot showing a template selection dialog with "Create" highlighted.](images/template_6.png)

!!! note
	You can only use a **Template** to create a new Entity. For MES operations you must use non-template Entities.