A source template defines the fields you fill in and how RootsMagic combines them into a Footnote, Short footnote, and Bibliography entry. RM12 includes 18 built-in templates based on Evidence Explained, 4th edition. Templates used by existing sources from earlier versions remain available as user-defined templates.

Choose a template for a source

Use SourceWizard to start with a description, URL, or citation text, or choose manual source entry to browse the source-type list. Help me choose asks questions about the material and recommends a type. See Adding a source for filling in and saving the resulting source and citation.

Selecting a template for data entry does not require changing its formatting rules. This topic covers managing the templates themselves.

Open the template list

On the Sources page, choose Lists > Source template list. Select a template to inspect its description, formatting rules, and fields. An upgraded database may have retained or custom templates in addition to the RM12 built-in set.

The field list shows the boxes you will fill in when entering a source. Master Source holds information such as the book title and author, which is used in all citations of that book. Citation Details holds information such as the page number, which can differ from one citation to another. The template also controls how RootsMagic arranges and punctuates the finished reference.

 

Add, copy, or edit a template

Add opens the template editor for a new type. Enter its name and details, define its fields, and create the three formatting rules. See Creating a source template.

Copy creates a new template based on the selected one. Give the copy a distinct name and edit it as needed. This is the way to adapt a built-in template, because built-in templates cannot be edited directly.

Edit opens a template you created, copied, or imported. Changing it can change the way references are written for sources already using it. Make a backup first. After a change, preview several citations, including ones where you left optional boxes empty.

Source name and citation name templates can suggest filing labels when new records are saved. These are separate from the three rules that generate printed references. Keywords help find the type during selection. See Creating a source template for these RM12 details.

Import and export

Use Export to save a user-defined template for use in another database or by another RootsMagic user. Choose a recognizable filename and location. Use Import in the destination database's template list and select the exported file.

Importing a template adds the definition used for source entry. It does not substitute for transferring your research data. Review the imported template's fields and descriptions before using it to enter sources.

Delete a user-defined template

Deleting a user-defined template also deletes all sources that use that template. Make a backup before deleting a template. If you need to keep any sources of that type, cancel the deletion and retain the template. To proceed, select the unwanted template, choose Delete, and read the confirmation before accepting it. Built-in templates cannot be deleted.

Keep templates from earlier RootsMagic versions if your sources still use them. They tell RootsMagic how to store the information and write the references for those sources.

Change the template of an existing source

Choosing a type for a new source does not change existing sources. To convert an existing source from free-form to a template or from a template to free-form, use Tools > Change source template on the source list. See Source template converter for assigning fields and checking the results.

For custom formatting syntax, see Using a source template and Source Template Language.