Loan application form by mj from sample loan application form , image source: www.slideshare.net
Each week brings files, emails, new projects, and task lists. How much of that is different from the work you’ve done before? Odds are, not much. Many of our daily tasks are variations on something we have done hundreds of times before.
Don’t reinvent the wheel each time you start something new. Instead, use templates–as starting point for 17, standardized files with formatting and text. Once you save another version of the template add, remove, or alter any data for that document that is unique, and you are going to have the new work.
Programs work everywhere: in word processors, spreadsheets, project management apps, survey programs, and email. Here’s to automatically create documents from a template — and how to use templates from your favorite apps –so it’s possible to get your tasks done quicker.
Templates take time to build, and it’s easy to wonder if they’re worth the investment. The short answer: absolutely. Editing a template takes far less time than formatting something. It’s the distinction between retyping it, or copying and pasting some text.
That is not the only benefit: Using a template means you’re less inclined to leave out key info, too. By way of example, if you need to send freelance writers a contributor agreement, changing a standard contract template (instead of writing a new contract every time) guarantees you won’t leave out the crucial clause regarding owning the material as soon as you’ve paid for this.
Templates also guarantee consistency. Perhaps you send regular project updates to investors or clients. With a template, you know the upgrade will have the exact same formatting, design, and general structure.
How to Create Great Templates
Not all templates are created equal–and some things don’t need a template. Here are a couple of tips to follow.
First, templates must be comprehensive. So err on the side of including too rather than too little, it is easier to delete information than add it in.
Imagine you’re developing a template of your own resume. You would want to list facts about your responsibilities and accomplishments, and that means you’ll have.
You can always delete less-important notes later on, but when it is not in the template you may forget it.
Some applications will automatically fill in these variables for you (more on that in a little ). But should you have to fill in the information on your own, include some text that’s simple and obvious to search for so you can locate.