Save as Template

Welcome! If you have spent time perfecting the layout, components, and design of a specific page and want to use it again without starting from scratch, this guide is for you. In uSkinned 6+ and Umbraco 17, this feature is known as creating a Content Template (formerly called Blueprints).

Think of this as creating a "Master Copy" or a blueprint of a page that you can reuse whenever you need to add a similar section to your website.

Why Use Templates?

Imagine you’ve spent an hour perfectly formatting a "Case Study" page with a specific hero banner, a three-column stat grid, and a testimonial slider at the bottom. By using Save as Template, you record that exact DNA. The next time you have a new case study, you simply select your template, and the entire structure appears instantly—leaving you only to swap out the text and images.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Template

  1. Find Your Perfect Page: Open the Content section in your Umbraco backoffice. Navigate through your "digital filing cabinet" to find the page you want to save as a template.

  2. Open the Actions Menu:

    • Right-click on the page name in the tree.

    • Alternatively, click the three dots (···) that appear when you hover over the page name.

  3. Select "Create Content Template": From the slide-out menu, look for the option labeled Create Content Template.

  4. Name Your Template: A new screen will appear. Give your template a clear, helpful name (for example, "Standard Service Page" or "Monthly Newsletter Layout").

Save: Click the Save button. Your template is now stored in the system and ready to use.

How to Use Your Saved Template

Once you have saved a template, adding a new page based on that design is incredibly fast:

  1. Right-click on the page (the "parent") where you want the new page to live.

  2. Select 'Create': Instead of just choosing a blank "Web Page," you will now see your saved templates listed at the bottom of the menu.

  3. Pick Your Template: Click on the name of the template you created.

  4. Finalize: Give the new page its own unique name and click Save and Publish. All your pre-designed components and layouts will be there automatically!

Templates vs. Blueprints

In Umbraco 17+, these are often referred to as Content Templates (or Blueprints). They live in the "Settings" or "Content" section and act as a master copy. When you create a page from a template, it creates a new, independent instance. Changing the new page won't break the original template, and updating the template won't retroactively change pages you've already built.

Watch: Creating and Using Content Templates in Umbraco 17+

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This video demonstrates how to take a finished Block Grid page and save it as a template to be used as a starting point for new nodes.

Pro-Tips for Beginners

  • Templates vs. Components: If you only want to reuse a small part of a page (like a single contact form or a gallery), you should use Reusable Components instead of a full page template.

  • Keep it Organized: You can manage, edit, or delete your saved templates by going to the Settings section of the Umbraco backoffice.

  • Updating Templates: If you change the original page later, the template won't update automatically. You will need to save it as a new template to capture those changes.

Relevant Links & Resources

  • Watch: Getting Started with uSkinned: uSkinned provides a "Getting Started" video series on YouTube that walks you through building and optimizing your site with confidence.

  • uSkinned Help Guide: How to create a reusable Content Template.

  • uSkinned Resources: Access the full portal for more Guides & Docs.

Where Next?

Now that you can replicate entire pages in seconds, why not master individual pieces of content? Your next step is to explore "Reusable Components"—the best way to share specific blocks, like a "Contact Us" banner, across multiple different templates and pages.