---
title: "Using Resource and Item Templates"
description: "Step-by-step guide on how to create, edit and disable resource/item templates to efficiently track your inventory resources and items"
url: https://help.labstep.com/en/articles/4549805-using-resource-and-item-templates
collection: "Inventory"
updated: 2026-10-30
language: en
---

# Using Resource and Item Templates

Step-by-step guide on how to create, edit and disable resource/item templates to efficiently track your inventory resources and items

_You can add metadata such as expiry date, SMILES or chemical structure using metadata fields in your Templates. It will automatically add them to your Resources/Items. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Resource and Item Templates._

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# **Creating a Resource Template:**

_To create a Resource Template, you will need to create a_ [_Resource Category_](https://help.labstep.com/en/articles/5496684-understanding-and-using-resources.md#h_70a38e06bf) _first._

1.  Navigate to the "Inventory" page
    
2.  Click on the vertical ellipsis **_⋮_** next to the Resource Category that you wish to create a Resource Template for
    
3.  Select "Settings"
    
4.  Set an Alert Threshold if needed
    
5.  Click on "Add the Metadata Field"
    
6.  Select a type of Metadata
    
7.  Click "Add another" if you wish to add more; otherwise, click on 'Done'
    

**_Labstep team tip:_** _You can edit or delete metadata fields by clicking on the vertical ellipsis_ **_⋮_** _next to it. You can also add metadata in bulk by clicking on 'Add many...'. Please note that you cannot change a metadata field type after you've added it. You would have to add a new field if you want to have a different type._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154041_4831.gif)

Each time you create a resource in this category, it will automatically have all the metadata fields from the template.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154037_1532.png)

# **Creating an Item Template:**

1.  Navigate to your Inventory
    
2.  Click on the vertical ellipsis **_⋮_** next to the Resource Category that you wish to create a Resource Template for
    
3.  Select "Settings"
    
4.  Click on "Item Template"
    
5.  Click on "Create Template"
    
6.  Fill in the fields and add as many metadata fields of your choice
    

**_Labstep team tip:_** _Set an 'Alert Threshold' to be notified of your items running low. You can set and customise it by specifying an amount. Please note that you cannot change a metadata field type after you've added it. You would have to add a new field if you want to have a different type._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154042_4572.gif)

# **Editing a Template:**

You can edit Templates and customise them for each Resource Category.

## _Editing a Resource Template_

1.  Click on the cogwheel next to the Resource Category of your choice
    
2.  Click on the vertical ellipsis **⋮** next to the metadata's name to edit/delete it
    
3.  Click on 'Save' when you're done
    

**_Labstep team tip:_** _Editing a metadata field Template within a Category will edit all Resources for this category. Please note that you cannot change a metadata field type after you've added it. You would have to add a new field if you want to have a different type._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154038_2277.gif)

**_Labstep team tip:_** _You can also edit a Resource Template directly from a Resource page. Changes will be applied to all Resources in the same Resource Category. To add Metadata only to a specific Resource, click on 'Add Metadata Field'._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154042_6781.gif)![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154037_1252.png)

## _Editing an Item Template_

1.  Click the cogwheel next to the Resource Category of your choice
    
2.  Click on 'Item Template'
    
3.  Click on the vertical ellipsis **⋮** next to the metadata's name to edit/delete it
    
4.  Make the necessary changes
    
5.  Add additional metadata by clicking on 'Add Metadata Field'
    
6.  Click on 'Save' after you've finished editing your item template
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154041_2372.gif)

**_Labstep team tip:_** _If you wish to edit metadata fields for only a specific Resource, you can click on 'Edit item template', then 'Enable Custom Template'. This custom template will set the specified default values for items only when added to this Resource._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154044_1839.gif)

# **Disabling Templates:**

## _Disabling a Resource Template_

1.  Click the cogwheel next to the Resource Category of your choice
    
2.  Click on the vertical ellipsis ⋮ next to the field you wish to delete
    
3.  Click on 'Delete'
    

**_Labstep team tip:_** _You can also edit/delete metadata fields from a Resource page. These changes will be applied to all resources within this Resource Category. To remove Alert Thresholds, delete them within the 'Alert Threshold' field._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154042_7612.gif)

## _Disabling an Item Template_

1.  Click the cogwheel next to the Resource Category of your choice
    
2.  Click on 'Disable Template'
    

**_Labstep team tip:_** _Click on 'Enable Custom Template' to restart using item templates. If you want to edit the metadata fields for items within a specific Resource, navigate to the chosen Resource and click on 'Edit Item Template'._

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/699dc51d2188da0fb351700e/20260224154042_2837.gif)

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**_Still need help?_**

_Contact us_ [_here_](mailto:info@labstep.com) _or start a conversation with a member of our team using our in-app chat._