Templates Not Working by Default

[Jed]

WHAT IS THE BUG

Templates not working by default. When I click the +button it displays more than one object type, ignoring the default selected object type.

HOW TO REPRODUCE IT

1. Click on + or create a new object type
2. Displays what seems to be page type but also displays other object types beneath it
3. See a display ignoring the template and giving you a blank page with title
4. ᅟI was able to provide a video capture or screenshot of the bug, I’m away from my PC but I might provide it later.

THE EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

The assigned template is supposed to be on display at the creation of a new object type for types that has a template assigned to them.

• Device:
  Dell
• OS:
  Windows 11
• Anytype Version:
  v.0.32.3
  
  

[sambouwer]

Thanks for posting! Can you add a print screen to clarify even more what is missing where?

[RoverDan]

Can confirm this is also happening for me on MacOS Ventura 13.4.1 using 0.32.3. I’ve set my default object to a new note type I’ve created which has 2 templates to choose from. Clicking the + button at the bottom creates a blank page with Title, Description, and 4 types to select from.

Anytype DOES however register it as a note, since my Notebook (a set), which displays all note types (not the stock note type but my own custom one), is populated with the new note.

[PavloUA]

Can’t fully approve it on AnyType 0.33.2 (Windows).

After clicking the “+” button, you need to start entering data (for example, the description of the object or the text in it (not the title)) and then the type I set by default is automatically selected.

[sambouwer]

@Jed thanks for clarifying. I think this behavior is by design.

1. You either click the + to create a new Object and you start typing to populate the Object
2. Or, you click the + to create a new Object and you change the Object Type (or, you select the Object Type that is your default) and then you get the question to select one or your templates if you have any for the selected Object Type.

I have in mind that this workflow is done this way to set you up with a new Object with as little friction as possible. There are a couple of things I can think of to improve this:

A. Add a row of buttons and/or hotkeys to select a template if there is any, like this

B. Allow the user to right click the + button to show the same little menu to select a template as when clicking “New” in a Set

This might be partially solved by this FR, but I think they can complement each other:

Option to apply template to an existing object

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. I find myself too often making changes to a template. With this change, I would like to apply these template changes to existing objects. I have to do it manually for all my objects. Describe the solution you’d like Would be great to have a feature to apply changes to a template to existing objects. This option could be optional - depends on the end user if he/she wants to apply changes to the template to existing objects.

[RoverDan]

Disagree, unfortunately. It creates more friction for me. My default type is a custom note (with two templates) - One with a title, one without, BOTH WITHOUT DESCRIPTION. I am unable to create this default note type by the method you suggested. Populating anything (title, description, text field) will leave title and description in the object. Not once am I asked which template (unless I go into “My Types” and select my note, defeating the entire purpose of having a default set up in the first place.)

[edion86]

@sambouwer , I think I’m getting it wrong (too?).

1. If you click the + in the navigation bar, it doesn’t use the default type (in my case task).
2. If you click new in a set based on a realtion (not a type), it doesn’t use the deafult type.

When does Anytype use the default type then? Because those are the places I would expect.

BTW. Maybe in settings we should be choosing the default type plus a specific template also.