Creating Custom Templates
Service templates in Pool Office Manager define the workflow and data collection forms that technicians use when completing jobs. This guide explains how to create and customize templates for your business needs.
## Understanding Templates
Templates are multi-page forms that guide technicians through the service process. Each template can include up to 10 pages with various field types for capturing:
- Service details and timing
- Water chemistry readings
- Equipment checks
- Inventory usage
- Customer and private notes
- Photos
## Accessing Template Settings
1. Navigate to **Settings** from the left sidebar
2. Click on **Templates** under the Configuration section
3. You'll see a list of existing templates
## Creating a New Template
### Basic Setup
1. Click **Create Template** or **Add New**
2. Enter a template name that clearly identifies its purpose
3. Optionally enable "Requires pictures to submit" if photo documentation is mandatory
### Adding Pages
Templates can have multiple pages to organize information logically:
1. Click **Add Page** to create a new section
2. Give each page a descriptive name
3. Drag and drop pages to reorder them
### Adding Fields to Pages
Each page can contain multiple fields:
1. Select the page you want to edit
2. Click **Add Field**
3. Choose the field type and configure options
### Field Types Available
- **Text** - Short text input
- **Long Text** - Multi-line text area
- **Number** - Numeric values
- **Dropdown** - Single selection from options
- **Multi-select** - Multiple selections allowed
- **Date/Time** - Date and time picker
- **Checkbox** - Yes/No toggle
- **Photo** - Image capture
### Field Options
For each field, you can configure:
- **Required** - Field must be completed before submission
- **Display on Email Report** - Include in customer-facing reports
- Drag handle for reordering fields
## Example Template Structure
A typical pool service template might include:
**Page 1 - Service Info**
- Technician
- Secondary Technician
- Service Type
- Start Time
**Page 2 - Pool Condition**
- Skim Surface
- Empty Baskets
- Brush
- Vacuum
- Water Level
- Water Condition
- Water Color
**Page 3 - Chemistry Readings**
- pH
- Chlorine
- Alkalinity
- Calcium
- Cyanuric Acid
- Salt
- Phosphates
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Water Temperature
**Page 4 - Chemical Adjustments**
- Suggested Chemical Adjustments (calculated)
**Page 5 - Completion**
- Inventory Used
- Customer Notes
- Private Notes
- Service Status
- End Time
## Linking Templates to Service Types
Templates must be linked to service types to be available:
1. Go to **Settings** → **Service Types**
2. Edit the service type
3. In the Template field, select your template
4. Save changes
Alternatively, from the template:
1. Click **Enabled Service Types**
2. Select which service types should use this template
## Best Practices
### Keep It Simple
- Only include fields that technicians need
- Group related fields on the same page
- Use clear, descriptive field names
### Required vs Optional
- Make critical fields required (chemistry readings, service status)
- Keep optional fields for supplementary information
### Customer Communication
- Enable "Display on Email Report" for fields customers should see
- Keep private notes and internal data hidden
### Photo Requirements
- Enable photo requirements for services that need visual documentation
- Train technicians on expected photo quality and content
## Modifying Existing Templates
1. Select the template from the list
2. Make your changes
3. Save the template
**Note:** Changes to templates affect future services only. Completed services retain their original template structure.
## Template Fields (Custom Field Types)
For specialized needs, you can create custom field types:
1. Go to **Settings** → **Template Fields**
2. Click **Add Field**
3. Define the field name and input type
4. Save and use in your templates
## Related Articles
- Understanding Templates
- Setting Up Service Types
- Starting and Completing Jobs
- Configuring Water Chemistry