Save your configured bulk actions as reusable templates and import pre-built templates from the eCourtDate library, enabling your agency to standardize workflows and launch complex bulk actions with minimal setup.

### Overview

The Bulk Templates feature lets you preserve the full configuration of a bulk action (including action type, settings, and filters) as a named template that you or your team can reuse. You can also browse the eCourtDate template library for pre-built templates and import them directly into your agency. Templates eliminate repetitive configuration work, reduce the risk of errors, and help your agency maintain consistent processes across staff members and over time.

- **What it does:** Saves bulk action configurations as templates for reuse and provides access to a library of pre-built templates you can import.
- **Why it matters:** Agencies frequently run the same types of bulk actions (monthly reminders, quarterly status updates, routine assignments). Templates let you configure once and reuse as many times as needed.
- **Who should use it:** Administrators, clerks, and supervisors who create and run bulk actions on a regular basis.
- **Expected outcome:** A library of saved templates that your team can launch quickly, plus access to eCourtDate's pre-built templates for common workflows.

### Prerequisites

Before creating and importing bulk action templates, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate staging or production agency account
- Super Admin role or both the **Create Bulk Actions** and **Update Bulk Actions** permissions
- For saving templates: at least one bulk action configured and tested successfully
- Familiarity with the bulk action workflow (creating, filtering clients, and running actions)

### How-To Steps

#### Saving a Bulk Action as a Template

#### Step 1: Configure a Bulk Action

1. Click **Bulk Actions** in the top navigation bar.
2. Create a new bulk action or open an existing one by clicking **Edit** from the list.
3. Select the desired **Action Type** and configure all settings (message content, event details, payment information, task assignments, or client updates).
4. Set up your client filters in the **Search Clients** section.
5. Click **Search** to verify the correct clients appear in the results.
6. Optionally, run the action once to confirm everything works as expected.

#### Step 2: Save as Template

1. Locate the **Save as Template** button on the bulk action edit page.
2. Click **Save as Template**.
3. Enter a descriptive name for the template (for example, "Monthly Hearing Reminder - Division B" or "Quarterly Supervision Fee Assignment").
4. Confirm the save.

The template now appears in the **Bulk Templates** tab and preserves the action type, configuration settings, and filter criteria from the original bulk action.

#### Importing Templates from the Library

#### Step 3: Browse Available Templates

1. Click **Bulk Actions** in the top navigation bar.
2. Click the **Bulk Templates** tab.
3. Browse the list of available templates. The list includes both your agency's saved templates and pre-built templates from the eCourtDate template library.
4. Use the search field to find a specific template by name or action type.
5. Review each template's name and action type to identify the one you need.

#### Step 4: Import a Template

1. Locate the template you want to import.
2. Click the **Import** button next to the template.
3. You are redirected to a new bulk action pre-populated with all of the template's settings, including the action type, configuration fields, and filter criteria.
4. Review the pre-filled settings and make any adjustments needed for your specific use case (for example, updating dates, amounts, or filter values).
5. Set up or adjust client filters in the **Search Clients** section.
6. Click **Search** to preview the matching clients.

#### Step 5: Run the Imported Bulk Action

1. Review the client list to confirm the correct clients are included.
2. Click **Live Run** to execute the action immediately, or click **Schedule Run** to set a future date and time.
3. You receive an email notification when the bulk action completes.

#### Managing Your Template Library

#### Step 6: View and Organize Templates

1. Navigate to **Bulk Actions** > **Bulk Templates** to view all saved templates.
2. Review the list. Each template displays its name, action type, and creation date.
3. Use the search field to locate a specific template.
4. Delete or archive templates you no longer need to keep your library organized.

### What to Expect

After saving a template, it appears in the **Bulk Templates** tab and is available to all authorized staff in your agency. When you import a template, eCourtDate creates a new bulk action pre-populated with the template's settings. The client list is re-evaluated at the time of the new run, so results reflect your current data. Importing a template does not modify the original template.

### Best Practices

- **Use clear, descriptive names.** Include the purpose, audience, and frequency in the template name (for example, "Weekly Probation Check-In Reminder - Region East"). This helps your team find the right template quickly.
- **Test before saving.** Always run the bulk action at least once before saving it as a template to confirm that settings and filters produce the correct results.
- **Review imported templates before running.** Pre-built templates from the eCourtDate library may need adjustments (such as dates, filter values, or message content) to match your agency's specific needs.
- **Create separate templates for distinct workflows.** Rather than modifying one template repeatedly, save distinct templates for each client population or action type.
- **Clean up your library regularly.** Archive or delete outdated templates to prevent staff from accidentally using obsolete configurations.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can other staff members in my agency use templates I created?**
A: Yes. All saved templates are visible to any user with bulk action permissions within the same agency. Any authorized user can import and run a template.

**Q: Does importing a template modify the original template?**
A: No. Importing creates a new, independent bulk action. Changes to the imported action do not affect the original template unless you explicitly save over it.

**Q: What is the difference between my agency's templates and the eCourtDate template library?**
A: Your agency's templates are configurations you or your team saved from previous bulk actions. The eCourtDate template library contains pre-built templates designed for common workflows that any agency can import and customize.

**Q: Can I share a template with another agency?**
A: Templates are specific to the agency where they were created. If you manage multiple agencies, you need to import or create templates separately in each one. Pre-built templates from the eCourtDate library are available to all agencies.

**Q: Is there a limit to the number of templates I can save?**
A: There is no limit on the number of templates. However, keeping your template library organized with clear names and removing outdated templates is recommended.

**Q: Do templates preserve the client list from the original bulk action?**
A: Templates preserve the filter criteria, not the specific client list. When you import a template and run the new bulk action, the filters are re-evaluated against your current data, so the client list may differ from the original run.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** A saved template does not appear in the Bulk Templates tab.
**Symptoms:** You clicked **Save as Template** but cannot find the template in the list.
**Solution:**

1. Navigate to **Bulk Actions** > **Bulk Templates** and use the search field to look for the template by name.
2. Refresh the page to ensure the latest data is loaded.
3. Verify that you saved the template in the correct agency (check the agency name in the top right corner).
4. If the template still does not appear, open the original bulk action and try saving it as a template again.

**Issue:** An imported template has outdated or incorrect settings.
**Symptoms:** After importing a template, the configuration or filters do not match your current needs.
**Solution:**

1. Review all settings on the imported bulk action and update any fields that need to change (dates, amounts, filter values, message content).
2. Click **Search** to preview the updated client list before running.
3. If the original template needs updating, make your changes and click **Save as Template** to overwrite it with the corrected configuration.

> **Important:** If you continue to experience issues after following these troubleshooting steps, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Send a Mass Message Using Bulk Actions](/how-to-send-a-mass-message-using-bulk-actions)
- [How to Create Events via Bulk Actions](/how-to-create-events-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Schedule Recurring Bulk Actions](/how-to-schedule-recurring-bulk-actions)
- [How to Update Clients via Bulk Actions](/how-to-update-clients-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Assign Users via Bulk Actions](/how-to-assign-users-via-bulk-actions)