Create a canvas from a template

Create from a template when the structure should repeat

Use a template when you want a new canvas that starts with a proven layout, prompts, pages, sections, or example content. Templates are helpful for recurring meetings, launch briefs, design reviews, retrospectives, lessons, workshops, and client handoffs.

Creating from a template creates a new canvas. It does not edit the template itself. After creation, the new canvas is yours to adapt for the actual work.

For template basics, see Canvas templates overview.

Choose the right creation path

You can create from a template from more than one place. Choose the path that matches where the new canvas should live.

If you are starting from the canvas creation flow, see Use canvas templates for the canvas-side path.

If the canvas belongs in a project, create it from the project when possible or move it into the project after creation. That keeps the project plan and working canvas connected from the start. See Add a canvas to a project.

Find the template

Open the template picker or Canvas templates manager. Search by template name, category, tag, team, or workflow. Use suggestions or recent searches if they appear. Preview the template when you need to confirm its structure before creating.

If you cannot find the template, clear search terms, check tags or categories, and confirm that you are in the correct workspace. Standard ALLO templates and workspace custom templates may appear in different parts of the experience.

For search details, see Search and organize templates.

Preview before creating

Preview is useful when several templates have similar names or when you want to confirm the structure. Check whether the template has the right sections, prompts, pages, and examples for your work.

If the preview fails, you may not have access to the template content, the source canvas may be unavailable, or the template may need owner attention. See Template permissions and visibility.

Do not create three test canvases just to inspect a template if preview is available.

Create the canvas

Choose Create canvas, Use template, or the equivalent action shown in your workspace. Name the new canvas clearly. If the creation flow asks where the canvas should live, choose the project, section, or workspace location that matches the work.

After creation, open the new canvas. Replace placeholder content, update headings, add notes, upload files, mention collaborators, and adjust pages or sections for the real meeting or deliverable.

If the canvas was created inside a project, return to the project and confirm it appears in the right section. If it was created as a standalone canvas, share or star it as needed.

Understand access after creation

The new canvas follows the access rules of its creation context. A canvas created from a template inside a project may be visible to project collaborators. A standalone canvas may be visible only to its creator until shared. A canvas created by a guest or external collaborator can have narrower access depending on workspace rules.

Creating from a template does not automatically give everyone who can see the template access to the new canvas. Share the new canvas or project with the people who need it. See Share a canvas and Members, guests, and external collaborators.

If someone can use the template but cannot open your new canvas, check the new canvas sharing settings.

Edit the new canvas

Once created, the canvas is ordinary canvas work. Add content, comments, files, presentation pages, and collaborators. You can rename it, move it, star it, or attach it to a project according to your permission.

Editing the new canvas does not change the template. If you improve the structure and want future canvases to start that way, a template owner can edit the custom template or create a new version.

If you accidentally create from the wrong template, you can either adjust the canvas manually or create a new canvas from the correct template. Deleting the mistake sends it through normal canvas deletion and Trash behavior.

Create from a standard template versus a custom template

Standard ALLO templates are provided as reusable starting points. You can create canvases from them where available, but you cannot edit the source template.

Workspace custom templates are created and maintained by your workspace. They may have custom visibility, tags, preview content, and editable source structure. Owners can update or duplicate them when allowed.

If a custom template behaves differently for different people, check both template visibility and source canvas access.

Use templates in projects

Project canvases and templates work well together. The project tracks owner, Due date, tags, section, and progress. The template-created canvas holds the working material. For example, a retrospective canvas can start from a template and stay attached to the launch project for follow-up.

Use project-connected templates for launch briefs, client kickoff notes, design reviews, lesson plans, QA checklists, and retrospectives. See Plan a launch for a detailed workflow.

Troubleshooting creation

If Create is missing, check whether you are looking at a template or a creation option, whether you have permission, and whether the template is standard or custom.

If creation fails, refresh and try again. If it fails for one template but not others, ask a template owner to check the source canvas and visibility. If it fails for every template, contact support with the workspace, template name, and step that failed.

If the created canvas is missing, check All canvases, the project, Home recent work, and Search. Make sure you are in the same workspace where you created it.