Changing the authoring template for a content item

You can change the authoring template associated with a content item by applying another authoring template to the content item. To accommodate differences between the templates, you can add or remove elements and specify how elements are processed.

1. Display a list of content items by following one of the following paths in the navigator.
   • Content > By Site Area
   • Content > By Title
   • Content > By Category
2. Select the content item for which you want to change the authoring template.
3. Click More Actions > Apply Template.
4. Select the authoring template you would like to associate with the content item.
5. Select any of the following options:
   • Add new elements: If the new authoring template contains elements that do not exist in the content item, these elements are added to the converted content item.
   • Remove existing elements: If the content item contains elements that do not exist in the authoring template being applied, those elements are removed during the conversion.
   • Replace elements that have changed type (with auto data conversion): Replace elements in the content item with elements of the same name from the authoring template being applied. If the two elements are of different types, the data is automatically converted to the new type. If the conversion fails. Any data stored in an element in the content item is lost if replaced by an element of a different type.
   • Replace elements that have changed type (without auto data conversion): Replace elements in the content item with elements of the same name from the authoring template being applied. Any data stored in an element in the content item is lost if replaced by an element of a different type.
   • Copy hidden element values from authoring template: Select this option to include hidden element values from the authoring template when changing or reapplying an authoring template
   • Enter values for mandatory fields: This option copies default values from the authoring template to mandatory fields and elements in the content item that do not already have values.
   • Save invalid content: This forces invalid content to be saved when applying or changing a template. For example, if a text field containing ten characters are replaced with a text field with a maximum of eight characters, the old text is saved in the updated field. You must fix the invalid content the next time you edit the Content item.
   • Save content as draft: A draft content item is created when the authoring template is applied.
6. Click OK.