---
title: "Using templates"
slug: "using-templates"
description: "Learn how to create Ordo templates for streamlined liturgy preparation with tips on Mass Settings, efficient management, and more. "
tags: ["Onboarding", "Templates"]
updated: 2025-08-05T07:34:14Z
published: 2025-08-05T07:34:14Z
canonical: "help.sourceandsummit.com/using-templates"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sourceandsummit.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using templates

The templates feature lets you customize default Ordo sections, settings, and some musical selection to streamline liturgy preparation. Read on for tips and tricks for using this feature.

> [!NOTE]
> Some Source & Summit plans have limited access to customizable templates:
> 
> 
> 
> - **Basic Digital Add-On** - 0 templates
> - **Basic Plan** - 1 template
> - **Essentials** - 3 templates
> - **Standard, Educational, Complete Digital Add-On** - unlimited templates

## **Creating a Template**

[Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Create-a-Template_1080.mp4)

1. [Log in](/v1/docs/logging-in) to app.sourceandsummit.com.

→ This will bring you to your home dashboard.
2. Click **Templates** in the left panel.

→ The Templates page will open. There, you can edit, duplicate, delete, or publish templates.
3. Click **+ Create Template** at the top of your screen.

→ The Template Editor will open.
4. Customize your Template:

-[Add or hide sections](/v1/docs/using-templates#customizing-sections) to define your preferred starting point

-[Apply Mass Settings](/v1/docs/using-templates#applying-mass-settings) (if applicable)

-Apply music customization settings

-Choose Readings display preferences
5. Click **Untitled template** from the top bar and enter a name for your template.
6. Click **Publish** in the top-right corner to use your Template for future Ordos.

## **Customizing Sections**

When you create your Template, customize your Outline to focus only on the parts you want to prepare. This will help you save time during your liturgy preparation process.

### Add sections

1. In the left panel, click **+**.
2. Hover over a **section type** (for example, **Hymns, Choral,** or **Instrumental**)**.**
3. Click the **section** to add it.

→ Sections typically correspond to a particular part of the liturgy and will appear in their proper place. If they don’t (for example, **Custom Text** or **Prayer**), the section will appear at the top of your Ordo.
4. The section will appear in the center canvas.

> [!NOTE]
> Pro Tip
> 
> 
> If you prefer different section titles, you can rename them in your Template. Just click the red section title from the center canvas and type your preferred section name.

### Hide sections

#### From the outline (left panel):

1. Hover over the **section** you would like to remove.
2. Click the **eye icon** next to that section. Click the same **eye icon** to bring the section back.

#### From the center canvas:

1. Scroll to the **Section** you’d like to remove.
2. Click the **Section.** In the top right corner, click the **more options menu**
3. Select **Hide this Section**.

## **Applying Mass Setting****s**

You can apply full or partial Mass Settings to any template.

[Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Templates_Mass-Settings_1080.mp4)

1. Select a **Mass Setting** **section** from your Outline. Mass Settings can be applied to these sections:

→ The right panel will show available Mass Setting collections.
  - **Kyrie**
  - **Gloria**
  - **Sanctus**
  - **Mystery of Faith**
  - **Doxology and Amen**
  - **Lord’s Prayer**
  - **Agnus Dei**
2. Select a **musical setting** from the right panel.

→ The music will display in the center canvas.
3. Explore other options (optional).

Click **Reset** at the top-right corner of the right panel to clear your current selection. Or, click **Browse** to view more options.
4. Repeat steps 1–3 for each section you want to include.

> [!NOTE]
> Want more information about Mass Settings?
> 
> Visit [**Mass Settings**](/v1/docs/mass-settings) to learn more.

## **Music customization**

Add common music customization settings to your template:

- **Notation -** Switch between square note, modern notation, and text-only view.
- **Accompaniment -** Add SATB harmonization to the score.
- **Chord Symbols -** Display chord symbols above the melody.
- **Verse notation -** Switch between pointed, notated, and text-only displays. *Antiphons only:*
- **Verse number -** Choose how many verses you would like to appear.
- **Glory Be -** Include or exclude as the final verse.

To access these settings, click the **section** from your outline or the center canvas. Customization settings will open in the right panel.

## **Readings display**

If you frequently create congregational booklets, customize how Readings appear in your Ordos:

- **Reading Display -** Switch between Full Text, Synopsis, or Reference view.
- **Text Display -** Switch between Paragraph or In Verse grouping for full text display.
- **Intro/Conclusion -** Add “A reading from"…” and “The Word of the Lord” text for lectors.

## **Creating an Ordo with a template**

[Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Apply_Template_1080.mp4)

1. From your home dashboard, click **+ Create Ordo**.
2. Under **Additional Options**, click **Templates.**
3. Choose your **template** from the dropdown menu.
4. Reset template (optional)

Click the **trash icon** to remove a template. Then, you can select a new one from the dropdown or continue without a template.

> [!NOTE]
> Template not appearing?
> 
> Make sure you publish your Template first. To publish your Template, click **Manage Templates** from the Ordo creation menu or **Templates** in the left panel. Click the **Template** and click the **Publish** button in the top-right**.**

## **Tips and best practices**

- **Name your Template**

Click the title bar in the Template Editor to rename your Template. Use clear titles to make Templates easy to manage and locate in the future.

- **Set a default Template**

When you make a template your default, that template will automatically be applied to any new Ordos you create. Here’s how:

1. From the home dashboard, click **Templates.**
2. Click the **more options menu** on your preferred template.
3. Select **Make My Default.**

- **Edit past Templates**

1. From the home dashboard, click **Templates.**
2. Click the **more options menu** on your preferred template.
3. Select **Edit.**

- **Duplicating templates**

If you’d like to build a Template similar to one that you’ve already created, you can save time by using the Duplicate feature.

1. From the home dashboard, click **Templates.**
2. Click the **more options menu** next to the template you’d like to duplicate.
3. Select **Duplicate.**