# Create a user template {% hint style="info" %} User permission: [Administration > Users](/administration/users/add-update-user/user-permissions.md#administrator-permissions) {% endhint %} Templates are used alongside the **User account creation** feature in the [Single sign-on (SSO) settings](/administration/configuration/set-up-sso.md) on the [**Configuration** page](/administration/configuration.md). You must create the template first, so it is available for selection from the list in the SSO settings. Phocas then applies that template when it automatically creates new user accounts. A user template is an account that is set up in a specific way. It is not a *user account*, as it does not correspond to a physical user, and it does not count toward the number of licenses in use. A template contains the same details that would be applied to a new user account if you cloned an existing user account, which can include: Language, Time zone, Phone, Mobile, Home, Group, Territory, Team, License, Folder Permissions, Database Permissions, and Favorites. ## Create a template from a new user account (recommended) [Add a new user account or clone an existing account](/administration/users/add-update-user.md) for the sole purpose of creating a template and set up the account as required. At the bottom of the **User** tab, in the **Use as a template...** setting, select **Yes** and click **Save**.

## Convert an existing user account into a template When you convert a user account into a template, that *user* account no longer exists as a user account. It becomes a template account. This method is not recommended because it poses a risk of losing a legitimate user account. However, it is possible to switch back and forth from a user account to a user template. Open the user account and edit the account setup as required. Then, at the bottom of the **User** tab, in the **Use as a template...** setting, select **Yes** and click **Save** (see image above). ## Select templates in your IdP If you create multiple templates in Phocas, you can set up your identity provider (IdP) to determine which of those templates is used when each new user account is automatically created in Phocas. This is an advanced task carried out by your IdP administrator. Learn more about IdPs and automatic user account creation on the [Set up single sign-on (SSO)](/administration/configuration/set-up-sso.md) page. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.phocassoftware.com/administration/users/create-a-user-template.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.