Templates

Template vs. Chart

After setting up the toolbox, columns and legend, this Milestones schedule was saved as a template.  The template was then applied to a blank schedule, resulting in the chart below. The template retained the color theme, column titles, date range, toolbox symbology, date heading types, column formatting, legend entries, and more.

Example of a chart:

This is a typical chart based on the template above.

A template formats the Milestones chart which is currently open. Templates change the formatting, and not the data contained within the chart.

The columns in the existing schedule should match the column arrangement and column types in the template.

The template’s symbols replace those of the original schedule, according to their positions in the toolbox.

Change the format of a schedule by opening a template:

1. Open the schedule if it is not already open.

2. Choose File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options | Open .

3. Choose Personal Template or Standard Template.

4. Locate the template.

5. Click the file name.

6. Click Open.

 

Notes:

• The Standard Templates are distributed with Milestones Simplicity and are available in the Milestones Simplicity Setup Wizard.

• Personal Templates can be created and saved by individual users.

Save the default template

Milestones can start new schedules with the same columns, toolbox, page dimensions and more.  These settings are stored in a special template file named default.mtp. The default.mtp file can be saved to either the Personal Templates folder or the Standard Templates folder.  If there is a default.mtp file in both folders, the Personal Template folder's default.mtp file is used.

When   New from the File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options menu is selected, the default.mtp file is opened.

Save a new default.mtp (default template):

1. Set up a schedule with the format and toolbox required.

2. Choose File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options | Save As... | Standard Template or Personal Template.

3. Name the template default.mtp

4. Click Save.

5. If asked to replace the existing file, click OK.

 

Notes:

• The Standard Templates are distributed with Milestones Simplicity and are available in the Milestones Simplicity Setup Wizard.

• Personal Templates can be created and saved by individual users.

Items saved in a template:

When saving a file as a Personal Template or Standard Template, these elements of the schedule are saved with the template.

• The schedule layout - chart size, margins, column widths, legend height, rows per page

• Background color, frame and shadow

• Calendar icons in date SmartColumns

• Chart title text format and background format (but not the chart title text)

• Column headings and SmartColumn settings

• Column Text Containing filters which were saved

• Current date line and text display

• Date headings and all timescale settings

• Date sensitivity options

• Default symbol size

• Default text styles

• Dependency mode setting

• Embedded pictures

• Gridline settings

• Legend entries and legend format

• Month and weekday name overrides

• Multi-Column Sort names which were saved

• Override Symbol Date and Text Display options

• Page number display

• Status line display toggle and properties

• Symbol date format

• Toolbox settings, including the size of the toolbox, and the symbols and bars used

• View modes: Gantt, Calendar

Items NOT saved in a template:

When saving a file as a Personal Template or Standard Template, these elements of the schedule are NOT saved with the template.

• Bookmarks

• Freeform text

• Picture files which are not embedded

• Hidden menu items (this is a global setting applied to all schedules)

• Lines, circles or boxes drawn with the drawing tools

• Schedule title

• Sidebar and toolbar shortcut button list (this is a global setting applied to all schedules)

• Symbols and bars on the schedule

• Task names on the schedule and any text entered into columns

 

Start a new schedule with a template:

Open a blank schedule and then apply a template to format that blank schedule. Then proceed to add schedule data such as start and end dates, column text, a chart title, and more.

1. Start a new schedule by choosing File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options | New on the toolbar.

2. Then choose File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options | Open | Personal Template or Standard Template.

3. Select the file name of the template to open (an .MTP file) and choose Open.

Notes:

• The Standard Templates are distributed with Milestones Simplicity and are available in the Milestones Simplicity Setup Wizard

• Personal Templates can be created and saved by individual users.

Save a template under a new name:

1. Click File | Files and Templates: Open and Save Options | Save As... | Personal Template.

2. Enter a template name in the field labeled File Name.

3. Click Save.

 

Notes:

• The Standard Templates are distributed with Milestones Simplicity and are available in the Milestones Simplicity Setup Wizard.

• Personal Templates can be created and saved by individual users.