> #### How to create a template report item

> 1 | Open or create a template.

> 2 | Add a report item to the layout, or select an existing item in the layout. For example, Figure 19-4 shows a text item inside a table item and its appearance in the Outline view.

> Figure 19-4 Standard appearance of text element and its icon

> 3 | In the layout editor, right-click the report item, for example the text item. Choose Create Template Report Item.

> 4 | In Create Template Report Item, type instructions to the report developer. These instructions explain how to use the report item. Figure 19-5 shows an example of some instructions.

> Figure 19-5 Providing instructions for a template report item
> Choose OK. The report item now appears in the layout as a template report item. The template report item displays an icon appropriate to the type of report item and the instructions you provided and in Outline, the report item’s icon changes to be a template item icon. Figure 19-6 shows how the text element shown in Figure 19-4 appears after conversion to a template report item.

> Figure 19-6 Text element as a template report item

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