FreeXmlToolkit

Template Management

Last Updated: November 2025 Version: 1.0.0

Create and manage reusable XML templates, XPath snippets, and code patterns to speed up your work.

Overview

Template Manager Overview Screenshot placeholder: Template manager interface

Templates let you create reusable document structures with placeholders for content that changes. Instead of typing the same XML structure repeatedly, save it as a template and fill in the blanks each time.

Key Features

Template Creation

Screenshot placeholder: Visual template editor

Feature	Description
Visual Editor	Create templates without writing code
Parameters	Define placeholders that get filled in later
Preview	See what your template will produce
Categories	Organize templates into groups

XPath Snippets

XPath Snippets Screenshot placeholder: XPath snippet library

Pre-built XPath expressions for common tasks:

Find elements with specific attributes
Search for text content
Select elements by position

Template Types

XML Document Templates

Create complete document structures with placeholders:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<${rootElement}>
    <header>
        <title>${documentTitle}</title>
        <version>${version}</version>
        <created>${createdDate}</created>
    </header>
    <content>
        ${contentPlaceholder}
    </content>
</${rootElement}>

The parts in ${} are parameters you fill in when using the template.

Schematron Rule Templates

Ready-to-use validation patterns:

<rule context="${contextPath}">
    <assert test="${testExpression}">
        ${errorMessage}
    </assert>
</rule>

How to Use

Creating a New Template

Creating Template Screenshot placeholder: New template dialog

Open Template Manager from the toolbar
Click “New Template”
Choose template type
Write your template with ${parameter} placeholders
Define what each parameter means
Test with sample values
Save with a descriptive name

Using a Template

Using Template Screenshot placeholder: Template insertion dialog

Open the template library in any editor
Browse or search for the template you need
Select the template
Fill in the parameter values
Insert the generated content

Managing Templates

Managing Templates Screenshot placeholder: Template library management

Action	Description
Edit	Modify existing templates
Duplicate	Copy a template to create a variation
Delete	Remove templates you no longer need
Export	Share templates with others
Import	Add templates from others

Parameter Types

Type	Description	Example
Text	Any text value	Document title
Number	Numeric values	Version number
Date	Date values	Creation date
Yes/No	True or false	Include header?
Choice	Pick from a list	Document type

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl+T`	Open Template Manager
`Ctrl+Shift+T`	Insert Template
`F5`	Refresh Template Library

Tips

Template Design

Tip	Description
Keep it simple	Smaller templates are more reusable
Clear names	Use descriptive parameter names
Default values	Provide sensible defaults to speed up usage
Add descriptions	Help yourself remember what each template does

Organization

Tip	Description
Use categories	Group related templates together
Consistent naming	Follow a naming pattern
Document templates	Add notes about when to use each one