Applying Templates (How Template Copying Works)
Template Logic
There are a few basic principles to know about how Templates work in Double:
Templates never delete existing tasks from the client
If a task in a close and in the template share the same name, then templates will overwrite:
Due date
Assignee
Description
Checklists and subtasks
So for example, if you have a task named "Soft close books" in the client and "Soft close books" in the template, then when you apply the template, whatever the template has for that task will update that task in the client
Template tasks with blank values do not overwrite tasks in the close that have values
If you have an assignee or due date for "Soft close books" in the client but not in the template, then applying the template will not overwrite that assignee or due date
Delete tasks from a task template without it impacting clients with that template
Following Rule (1) and Rule (4), tasks that are deleted from the template will not delete those tasks from the Client
How are questions added to the client portal when a template is applied?
For clients with assignable questions OFF: the question will be immediately visible in the Client Portal to all contacts.
For clients with assignable questions ON: the question will exist in the portal, but it won't be visible to any contact, because it has not yet been assigned.
More on assignable questions 👉 here
Can I prevent some tasks from being overwritten by the template?
Yes. Rule 2 above says: "If a task in a close and in the template share the same name, then templates will overwrite [the task's information]."
To prevent the task from being overwritten by a new template, the client's existing task name can be modified in the close by adding a period or another character.
Example
For example, if a task named “Make sure all transactions in the bank feeds are coded” exists in both the template and the close, adding a period to the client task name ensures the names no longer match.
Instead of overwriting the customized task, a new task named “Make sure all transactions in the bank feeds are coded” (without the period) is created when the template is applied. That new task can then be deleted if it is not needed.
In the Template
In the Close (before applying)
In the Close (after applying)
What should I do if I only want to make changes to one task?
If there is just a single task in a long template that needs to be edited, we recommend:
Updating the task in the original template to keep it current.
Duplicating the template to create a temporary version.
Removing any other tasks, sections, or questions from the temporary template.
Applying the temporary template to the selected clients.
This ensures that unintended tasks are not overwritten, updated, or duplicated.