Configure a feature template

Use Template Properties to edit a feature template's name, add or delete searchable tags, show or hide construction tools, and edit and save attribute values applied to a feature each time a feature is created.

The following tabs appear dynamically based on the geometry of the source feature layer and its relationship with standalone tables in the current map or scene:

• Annotation—Appears when a feature template creates annotation features.
• Dimension—Appears when a feature template creates dimension features.
• Relationship—Appears when the source feature layer participates in a relationship class as the origin with a standalone table in the map as the destination.
• Containment—Appears when a feature template can contain utility network standalone tables in the map known as junction or edge nonspatial objects.

Adding feature data to the current map or scene automatically creates a feature template with default settings. The drawing symbol reflects settings in the Symbology pane and can't be configured.

To create a feature template manually, see Create a feature template.

Tip:

To configure more than one feature template for the same source layer, use Duplicate to copy the template and configure the duplicate template with a unique template name.

Show template properties

The manage templates pane

Use the Manage Templates pane to show all templates defined for the current project.

1. On the Edit tab in the Features group, click the Manage Templates dialog box launcher .
2. In the pane, expand Map layers .
3. Click the source layer for the template you want to configure.

   Feature templates defined for the layer appear in the template view.

4. In the template view, click the template.
5. Show Template Properties using one of the following methods:
   • On the toolbar, click Properties .
   • Right-click the template and click Properties .

The create features pane

Use the Create Features pane to show all templates defined for the current map.

1. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create .
2. Show Template Properties using one of the following methods:
   • Right-click the template and click Properties .
   • Click the forward arrow , click Active Template Options , and click Properties .

Configure the tool palette

Use the Tools tab to set a default construction tool and show or hide tools that appear on the tool palette.

1. Click Tools.
2. To set the default construction tool, click and enable Click to set as default tool.

   The default tool runs automatically when the template is selected

3. To show a tool in the tool palette, check Toggle tool visibility.

Set attribute values

Use the Attributes tab to specify the attribute values applied to new features. All empty fields are assigned geodatabase default values if they exist. Hover over the field to show the default geodatabase value.

Note:

The Attributes tab is not available with annotation or dimension feature templates.

1. Click Attributes.
2. To show all hidden attribute fields, check Show nonvisible fields.
3. In the feature attribute table, type the attribute values you want applied to new features.
   • For attributes that symbolize the layer with coded domain values, click Add All Values and choose a symbol class when the layer is symbolized with a unique value renderer.
4. To display a field in the Create Features pane below the tool palette, check Prompt for attribute value.

   Tip:

   Use prompting to streamline a workflow that otherwise requires clicking the Active Template forward arrow and typing an attribute value each time a feature is created.

5. Click OK.

   Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.

Field color codes

Fields with a specific purpose or function are highlighted with a color. The color codes are described in the following table.

Attribute field color codes

Field color	Description
Orange	Subtype field.
Purple	Symbolizes the layer.
Yellow	The field Highlight property is enabled in the attribute table Fields view.

Add a table template

Use the Relationships tab to add table templates for features that participate in a relationship class with a standalone table. For each feature the template creates, a record is automatically added to the related table with attribute values specified in the table template.

Note:

The Relationships tab is available only when the source feature layer for a template participates in a relationship class as the origin with a destination standalone table that is present in the current map or scene.

Table templates can simplify a workflow that otherwise requires clicking Add New To Relationship in the Attributes pane each time a new feature is created with related records.

Adding a table to the current map or scene automatically creates a table template with default settings. To create a table template, see Create a table template.

1. Click Relationships.
2. Click Add , click the drop-down arrow, click a table template, and click Add.
   • To remove the template, hover over the template name and click Delete .
   • To replace the template, hover over the template name, click Edit , choose another table template, and click Apply.

   If only one table template exists in the map for the source feature, it is automatically added to the template.

3. Click OK.

   Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.

Utility network nonspatial objects

Use the Containment tab to add junction or edge nonspatial table templates to a utility network feature template. The steps are the same as adding a table template.

Note:

The Containment tab is available only when a utility network feature template can contain nonspatial object tables that are present in the current map.

Utility network nonspatial objects are stored in standalone tables and connected to network features using connectivity, containment, or structural associations.

To learn more, see Junction and edge objects.

Configure annotation properties

Use the Annotation tab to specify a default text string, text symbol, formatting options, and annotation class subtype.

To learn more, see Manage annotation feature class properties.

Note:

The Annotation tab is available only with annotation feature templates.

1. Click Annotation.
2. In the text box, type the default text string you want to apply to new annotation features.
3. To change the font type, style, or size of the text, click the designated tool.
4. Set the annotation feature class and symbol.

   When an annotation feature class has more than one annotation class, the annotation classes appear as subtypes.

   1. Click the AnnotationClassID field and set the annotation class subtype.
   2. Click the SymbolID field and set the symbol number.
   3. To display a field in the Create Features pane below the tool palette, check Prompt for attribute value.
5. Click OK.

   Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.

Configure dimension properties

Use the Dimensions tab to customize the dimension text value, angular orientation, and override display settings for dimensions lines and other symbol properties.

To learn more, see Modify a dimension.

Note:

The Dimensions tab is available only with dimension feature templates.

1. On the Template Properties dialog box, click Dimension.
2. Do one or more of the following to customize the dimension:
   • Expand Text to modify or restore the text value, orientation angle, or placement.
   • Expand Dimension Lines to draw or hide dimension lines, or change the arrowhead symbology.
   • Expand Extension Lines to change the dimension line, and draw or hide extension lines.
3. Click OK.

   Your settings are saved and the dialog box closes.