You can specify one or more item templates during the item creation process. The system applies the templates in the order listed, so later templates overwrite attribute values applied with earlier templates. An item template is a defined set of attribute values used during item creation. When you apply a template to an item, you overlay or default in the set of attribute values to the item definition. For example, every time users in a particular organization create new items, the attributes as defined and approved by the organization appear in the appropriate fields--no user guesswork is required, and much time is saved during the creation of items with a similar form, fit and function.

You can create item templates that contain either the operational attributes for an item, which are visible to all organizations, or user-defined attributes, which are specific to an item catalog category. When you explicitly associate a template with an item catalog category, it is made available for all create and update item actions in that item catalog category. Also, the values for the user-defined attributes that are specified in the template are inherited from parent to child within the particular item catalog category. After creating the item template for use with user-defined attributes, you must associate it with an item catalog category.

Benefits:

• Default operational and user-defined attributes to speed up the process of specifying item attribute values

• Enforce consistency of item attribute values for items belonging to certain item catalog categories or item types. For example, you may have an item template for all purchased computer hard-drive assemblies.

For more details about creating item templates that use operational attributes, as well as a listing of the Oracle provided templates, see Item Templates.

   To define an item template and specify user-defined attributes:

1. Navigate to the Setup Workbench. In the Items tab, select the Templates subtab.

2. On the Search: Templates page, click Create.

3. In the Oracle Forms Find Item Templates window, click New.

4. In the Item Template window, provide the item template name and description, and then specify the operational attributes and the default values. When finished, save the template.

5. Navigate to the item catalog category to which you wish to associate the new item template and click the Templates link.

6. On the Templates page, click Add Template.

   Associate item templates with any item catalog category. Item templates are inherited down through the item catalog hierarchy

7. On the Add Templates to Item Catalog Category page, locate the new template, select it and click Apply.

8. On the Templates page for the item catalog category, click the template name to which you wish to add user-defined attributes.

9. On the Update Template page, select the user-defined attributes you wish to add to the template:

   • Select an attribute group, then click Go.

   • Select the user-defined attributes to add to the template. You can also choose to set the default attribute values.

   • Click Enable.

   You can also make this the default item template for all new items created in this item catalog category by selecting Set as Default.

   Click Apply.

   How to Use Item Templates:

1. During the new item creation process you can specify one or more item templates or use the default if one was set up at the item catalog category level. See: Creating New Items

   Caution: If applying more than one template, specify the order to apply them. The last template's attribute values override any previously applied template attribute values.

2. The operational attribute values specified in an item template are not set for 'unapproved' items ( items that require a new item request). Apply the item template manually once the item is approved.