Use the Guide template editor to manage reusable practice layouts, template fields, and the default Changes categories used for new clients. Open Templates from the practice navigation.
Guide Templates
The Guide Templates area contains practice-owned templates and Kerdora-provided starting points. Open a practice template to edit it. Use a Kerdora template as a preview or create an editable copy when you want to customize it.
In the editor you can:
add components from the library;
create and reorder rows;
move components within or between rows;
remove components;
open component-specific settings;
edit the template name; and
preview with a selected household.
Edits to a practice template can affect all households using it. Use a client-owned Guide when the layout or explanation is unique to one household.
Practice-template changes autosave after edits; the editor does not have a separate Save button. Wait for autosave to finish before leaving. After a major change, return to the template list and reopen the template to confirm the rows, components, and settings persisted.
Component settings
Settings vary by component. They can control visible rows or fields, selected Goals, Change categories, status, investment scope, tax scenario behavior, labels, or display options. A component without settings uses its defined default behavior.
Preview after changing scope. An apparently empty component often means the chosen household has no matching data, not that the component is broken.
Template Fields
Template fields store reusable text or images. Use them for content that should remain synchronized across templates, such as a standard introduction, planning-process image, or disclosure.
Create a clearly named field, set its default content, and add the related Template Text or Template Image component. A practice-level edit can update every linked use, so review the downstream effect before changing a shared field.
Client-specific field values and related notes are managed in the appropriate client context, including Office → Notes when shown there. Do not overwrite a reusable default to solve one household's exception.
Changes template
The Changes template defines default Change categories for new clients. Add, rename, reorder, or remove categories to match the practice's recommendation framework.
Changing the defaults does not silently rewrite every existing client's categories. Use any sync-to-existing-clients control deliberately and only after reviewing the scope. Category changes can affect organization and Guide presentation across households.
Safe editing workflow
Confirm whether you are editing a practice template, built-in preview, or client-owned Guide.
Duplicate a template before a major redesign when you need a comparison or rollback option.
Make one coherent structural change at a time.
Preview against representative client data.
Review client visibility and new-client defaults.
Wait for autosave and reopen the template to verify persistence.
Open an affected client and verify the final Guide.
Common mistakes
editing a shared template for a single-client need;
placing client facts in a reusable template field;
adding components without checking their data requirements;
using several components that repeat the same message;
changing default Change categories without reviewing existing presentation; or
assuming an editor preview means the client can already see the Guide.
The editor controls structure. The underlying client records, planning assumptions, Changes, Tasks, and notes remain the source data shown by the components.