---
title: "Work with a branch template"
slug: "work-with-a-branch-template"
abstract: "How to create branch templates."
---
# Work with a branch template

With branch templates, you can streamline the creation of multiple related items with a consistent, pre-configured structure. Authors can quickly insert entire sets (such as FAQs or team bios) at once, making it faster and more efficient to build out structured content across your site.

You can create a [branch template](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/sitecore-experience-manager/branch-templates.html "Branch templates") in several ways.

> [!note]
> When a user creates an item using the branch template, Sitecore replicates all descendants of the branch template definition item before expanding tokens. These items contain a copy of the content, renderings, and so on, of the branch at the time the items were created - any changes applied to the branch template after the items were created do not automatically appear on the created items.

<details>
<summary><h2>Create a branch template</h2></summary>

To create a branch template:

1. In the Template Manager or the Content Editor, go to */Sitecore/Templates/Branches*, right-click a folder and then click **Insert, Branch Folder** to create any required project-specific folders.
2. In the content tree, click the relevant project-specific folder and insert a new branch template definition item using the */System/Branches/Branch* data template.
3. With the newly created branch template definition item selected, right-click and insert one or more items or hierarchies of items.

</details>

<details>
<summary><h2>Create a branch template for a data template</h2></summary>

You can insert a branch template containing a single item based on a specific data template.

To create a branch template for a data template:

1. In the Template Manager or the Content Editor, within */Sitecore/Templates/Branches*, insert any required project-specific folders using the */System/Branches/Branch Folder* data template.
2. Under the relevant project-specific folder, insert a new branch template using the */Branches/System/Branch/New Branch* command template.
3. In the **Create a New Branch** dialog box, select the data template, and then click **Create**. Sitecore creates a new branch template definition item containing a single item named `$name` based on the selected data template.

> [!note]
> By default, insert options for branch folders include the */Branches/System/Branch/New Branch* command template, but not the */System/Branches/Branch* data template.

</details>

<details>
<summary><h2>Create a branch template by duplicating an existing item</h2></summary>

You can create a branch template by duplicating one or more existing items or branches of items.

To create a branch template by duplicating one or more existing items:

1. In the Content Editor or the Template Manager, insert a branch template using the */System/Branches/Branch* data template.
2. In the Content Editor, on the **View** tab, select the **Hidden items** check box to display the hidden items.
3. Select the item you want to duplicate to populate the new branch template.
4. On the **Home** tab, on the ribbon, in the **Operations** group, click **Copy To**.
5. In the **Copy Item To** dialog box, select the branch template, and then click **Copy**.

    Sitecore copies the item or hierarchy of items to create a new item or hierarchy of items under the branch template definition item.

6. Optionally, on the **View** tab, clear the **Hidden items** check box to hide hidden items again.

</details>