Creating Project Templates

InstallShield 2016

The procedure for creating a template file varies, depending on whether you are creating a template for a project type that uses .ism project files (Basic MSI, InstallScript, InstallScript MSI, Merge Module), or for a project type that uses .issuite project files.

Creating a Project Template File for Projects that Use .ism Project Files

You can create a project template from any .ism project file; this includes installation projects and merge module projects. When you create a template from an .ism project file, the template file has an .ist file extension.

To create a template (.ist) from an .ism project file:

1. Edit the project to include the desired default settings, user interface, features, and so on.
2. On the File menu, click Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.
3. In the Save As type box, select InstallShield Template (*.ist).
4. Type a file name (with the .ist extension) and select a location for the new template. The recommended location for templates is a Templates folder within the project location folder.
5. Click OK.

You can open the template in InstallShield and make additional changes. You can use the final version of your template to create a new project.

Creating a Project Template File for Projects that Use .issuite Project Files

You can designate any Advanced UI or Suite Advanced UI project (.issuite) to be a template. Project files and template files for these project types have the same file extension: .issuite.

To designate that an .issuite project file is a template file and make the template available for selection in the New Project dialog box:

Right-click in the All Types tab on the New Project dialog box and then click Add New Template. InstallShield lets you browse to the .issuite file that you want to use as a template, and it adds a new icon for it to the All Types tab.