Learning ArcGIS Pro

Custom project templates
In the previous exercise, you saw how useful a template can be to start a new project.
Templates can standardize all projects you or your organization creates in ArcGIS Pro, so
they access the correct databases, contain the appropriate styles, and have the proper
layout elements. Project templates are really specialized versions of a project package that
can be used to create new projects. They have an APTX file extension.
Project templates can be saved to several locations. You can save them to your computer, a
network share, ArcGIS Online, or Portal for ArcGIS. The location where you save them
will help determine who can use them.
Project templates saved to your computer generally can only be used by you. This can
limit their value to an organization. However, since they are stored locally on your
computer, they can be better suited for your personal use. This is because they can contain
connections to local resources, which exist on your computer and others may not have
access to. Also, if you include connections to secure data sources or files, you do not have
to worry if other users will have permissions to access those locations.
You save project templates to a network share such as a folder on your file server or to
ArcGIS Online, which can be used by others in your organization when creating new
projects assuming that they have sufficient privileges to access the location. This allows
you to standardize projects created by ArcGIS Pro users throughout your organization,
which has several advantages:
Templates can ensure common map layouts, which include standard title blocks,
north arrows, logos, and legal disclaimers.
Templates can ensure that everyone accesses the correct data sources, folders, styles,
and toolboxes.
Templates can ensure that data and files are saved to the proper locations by
standardizing a common project structure.
Templates can ensure that everyone uses the correct basemap when creating maps or
scenes.
Those are just a few of the advantages of using templates within an organization. If you
are going to save your templates to ArcGIS Online, there is a security concern you need to
make sure to pay careful attention to, who you choose to share with.
If your organization has enabled sharing outside your organization, it is possible that
others who are not in your organization may get access to your templates. When you
create and save a template to ArcGIS Online, you are asked who you wish to share the
template with. If you select everyone, then you will be sharing your template with all users
that have access to ArcGIS Online. This includes those that are not part of your
organization. This means ArcGIS Pro users not affiliated with your company or group will
be able to use your template. This also means that they will be able to see everything you
included in the template, such as database connections, logos, folder connections, layouts,
and more. Access to your templates could represent a security breach waiting to happen if
you are not careful. So, when you save a template to ArcGIS Online, make sure to pay