A project template is a special type of project package from which new projects can be created. The same items that can be included in a project package can be included in a project template, such as maps, layouts, styles, connections to databases and servers, and so on. Templates make it easy to standardize a series of maps for different projects, and ensure the correct layers are immediately available for everyone to use in their maps. Any project can be saved as a project template.
Create a project template for yourself
When you create a template for personal use, there is more flexibility to the items you can include in a template than if the template is intended for a wide audience.
Project templates for a specific computer
To create a template for personal use that includes connections to data on your local computer, incorporate the steps below when you create a project package so the template is stored in the correct location.
- On the Share tab, in the Save As group, click Project Template
.The Create Project Template pane appears.
- Choose to save the template to a file.
The Name text box updates automatically with the location where ArcGIS Pro looks for personal project templates: Documents\ArcGIS\ProjectTemplates. Templates stored in this location are listed on the New tab, on the Settings page, when you list templates available from your local Computer. Only you can see this template when you run ArcGIS Pro on this computer.
- Provide an appropriate name and location for the project template in the Name text box.
- Complete the Summary and Tags fields.
- Optionally use the Include Toolboxes option to include all project toolboxes and the data referenced by their tools.
If this option is not checked, project toolboxes, except the default toolbox, are not included. Toolboxes in connected folders are not considered project toolboxes and are not impacted by this setting.
- Optionally use the Include History Items option to include all geoprocessing history items and the data required to reexecute the history item.
If this option is not checked, none of the project's geoprocessing history items are included. If history items are included, ensure that all data required to reexecute the tool still exists and is accessible. If it's not, packaging will not be successful.
- Add the items you want to include to Attachments. This option allows you to include other content, such as detailed documentation, reports, and graphs. The following types of files cannot be included: .js, .vbs, .py, .pyc, .pyo, .bat, and .ocx. Also, only signed .dll and .exe files are allowed.
- Under Finish Sharing, click Analyze to check for problems.
Errors and warnings are listed on the Messages tab. Right-click a message to open its help topic or take corrective action in the software. Errors
must be resolved before you can share the web layer. Resolving warnings 
is recommended but not required. - Once validated, click Create to create your template.
You can use this template to create a new project. The template is not automatically included in the Recent Templates list on the start page. The first time you use the template to create a new project, it is added to the list.
If you choose to include geoprocessing history in your project template, there are some factors you should account for in your models and scripts.
Project templates for many computers
If you work on many computers, it can be useful to store your project templates to your organizational account. Some care should be taken when creating these templates to include connections that apply to all computers you use. For example, if all computers you work on have the same folder structure for organizing GIS data or reference the same shared network folders, databases, or servers, then it is appropriate to include these connections in the project template. However, if a project uses data in a specific location that is only available on one computer, it would not be appropriate to include that connection in a project template that is available to use on many computers.
- On the Share tab, in the Save As group, click Project Template .
The Create Project Template pane appears.
- Choose to upload the template to your organizational account.
The project template is saved to your organizational account in My Content. These templates are available when you click Settings on the start page or the Project tab on the ribbon, click New, and list templates available from the active portal.
- Provide an appropriate name for the project template in the Name text box.
- Complete the Summary and Tags fields.
- Optionally use the Include Toolboxes option to include all project toolboxes and the data referenced by their tools.
If this option is not checked, project toolboxes, except the default toolbox, are not included. Toolboxes in connected folders are not considered project toolboxes and are not impacted by this setting.
- Optionally use the Include History Items option to include all geoprocessing history items and the data required to reexecute the history item.
If this option is not checked, none of the project's geoprocessing history items are included. If history items are included, ensure that all data required to reexecute the tool still exists and is accessible. If it's not, packaging will not be successful.
- The template is stored in the root of My Content by default. Click the Folder drop-down arrow to select a folder in My Content where the template will be stored, as appropriate. Optionally click the browse button to create a folder or choose an existing one. You can also type the name of a folder in the text box.
- Add the items you want to include to Attachments. This option allows you to include other content, such as detailed documentation, reports, and graphs. The following types of files cannot be included: .js, .vbs, .py, .pyc, .pyo, .bat, and .ocx. Also, only signed .dll and .exe files are allowed.
- Under Finish Sharing, click Analyze to check for problems.
Errors and warnings are listed on the Messages tab. Right-click a message to open its help topic or take corrective action in the software. Errors
must be resolved before you can share the web layer. Resolving warnings is recommended but not required. - Once validated, click Create to create your template.
You can use this template to create a new project.
Create a project template and share it with others
Project templates can help standardize and share the work of different groups within your organization. Custom basemaps can be included, maps can be produced with standard layouts, connections to the databases used by a group or for a project can be provided in advance, attachments with specifications or guidelines can be included, and so on. However, care should be taken when determining how templates are shared—to a specific group, to the organization, or to everyone—and if the option to Share outside of organization is checked. Considerations for sharing project templates are the same as for sharing project packages.
- On the Share tab, in the Save As group, click Project Template .
The Create Project Template pane appears.
- Specify where to save your template—to your organizational account or as a file on disk.
- Provide a name and if saving the template to a file, the location for your project template on disk.
- Complete the Summary and Tags fields.
- Optionally use the Include Toolboxes option to include all project toolboxes and the data referenced by their tools.
If this option is not checked, project toolboxes, except the default toolbox, are not included. Toolboxes in connected folders are not considered project toolboxes and are not impacted by this setting.
- Optionally use the Include History Items option to include all geoprocessing history items and the data required to reexecute the history item.
If this option is not checked, none of the project's geoprocessing history items are included. If history items are included, ensure that all data required to reexecute the tool still exists and is accessible. If it's not, packaging will not be successful.
- The template is stored in the root of My Content by default. Click the Folder drop-down arrow to select a folder in My Content where the template will be stored, as appropriate. Optionally click the browse button to create a folder or choose an existing one. You can also type the name of a folder in the text box.
- If you are uploading your template to an online account, specify how it will be shared:
- Everyone—This option makes your content public. Anyone can access and see it.
- My Organization—If you are signed in with an organizational account, you see this option. This option allows your content to be shared with all authenticated users in the organization.
- Groups—You can share your content with groups you belong to and their members.
- Add the items you want to include to Attachments. This option allows you to include other content, such as detailed documentation, reports, and graphs. The following types of files cannot be included: .js, .vbs, .py, .pyc, .pyo, .bat, and .ocx. Also, only signed .dll and .exe files are allowed.
- Under Finish Sharing, click Analyze to check for problems.
Errors and warnings are listed on the Messages tab. Right-click a message to open its help topic or take corrective action in the software. Errors
must be resolved before you can share the web layer. Resolving warnings is recommended but not required. - Once validated, click Create to create your template.
You can use this template to create a new project.