Category templates allow you to define common categories and sub-categories that can be re-used multiple times. A typical use is to define a few templates for different project types. When a new project is started you can create the category structure for it from the appropriate template. Time cannot be tracked to template categories. Instance categories are those categories created from the template to be used to track time to. Category templates are accessed from the Templates tab at the top of the category tree in the Category Configuration window.
The number of instance categories for the selected template category is displayed in the top-right of the template category information.
Adding, Modifying and Deleting Category Templates
Each category template starts at the top level of the category template tree. Adding, modifying and deleting templates and their subcategories is similar to adding, modifying and deleting regular categories except that you cannot create a category template from a template. Templates may contain any level of subcategories. All subcategories are copied to instance categories created from the template.
Note: You should name your template appropriately as the template name is displayed when choosing which template to create a new instance category from.
When adding a subcategory to a template you have the option of adding the subcategory to all instance categories linked to the template. To do this check the Add to all instances box next to the OK button in the Add Category window as shown in the following image:
When a category template is deleted the instance categories linked to it are not deleted. They are simply unlinked from the template prior to the template being deleted.
See also:
Exporting and Importing Categories