What is the difference between a template and a type?

Characteristic	Templates	Types
Purpose	To provide predefined information about a study object. You are not required to base new study objects on templates.	To provide predefined information about an item. When you create an item, you must choose a type on which to base it.
You can create templates and types for the following study objects	Study projects, studies, study elements, study events, forms, items, codelists, and mappings.	Items only
How to create study objects from a template or type	Creating a study project or study: You are allowed but not required to choose a template. Creating all other study objects: To create a study object based on a template, find the template in the Libraries tab and then copy it to your study.	Creating an item: You must choose an item type.

Characteristic

Templates

Types

Purpose

To provide predefined information about a study object.

You are not required to base new study objects on templates.

To provide predefined information about an item.

When you create an item, you must choose a type on which to base it.

You can create templates and types for the following study objects

Study projects, studies, study elements, study events, forms, items, codelists, and mappings.

Items only

How to create study objects from a template or type

Creating a study project or study:

You are allowed but not required to choose a template.

Creating all other study objects:

To create a study object based on a template, find the template in the Libraries tab and then copy it to your study.

Creating an item:

You must choose an item type.

Parent topic: Library setup