Signals Notebook : Understanding and Managing the Default Experiment Template

The Default Experiment Template (DEFAULT_EXPERIMENT) in Signals Notebook serves as the foundation for all experiments created without a specific template selection. This article explains the characteristics of the default template, access controls, and how administrators can customize it to meet organizational standards while maintaining system integrity.

Solution:

Understanding the Default Experiment Template

The DEFAULT_EXPERIMENT template has several unique characteristics:

• It is automatically generated by the system
• It is used whenever users create experiments without selecting a specific template
• It cannot be renamed or deleted
• It is automatically shared with the Administrators and All Users groups

Access and Permission Controls

The default template has specific permission restrictions:

• Only users with system administrator roles can edit the template
• The sharing settings for Administrators and All Users groups cannot be modified
• All Users group cannot be removed from the template's sharing list
• The default sharing privilege for All Users is set to Read and cannot be changed

Viewing and Accessing the Default Template

1. Log in to Signals Configuration system with system admin or config admin privileges
2. Click on the System Objects smart folder
3. Select Experiment
4. Click on Templates
5. Locate and click on DEFAULT_EXPERIMENT in the templates list

Customizing the Default Template

System administrators can customize the default template in several ways:

Adding Information Items:

• Use the dropdown list in the right frame to add various content types
• Available content types include text, chemical drawings, tables, images, and more
• Added items will appear in all new experiments created without a template selection

Managing Fields:

• Click the Fields button to access field management
• Add new fields to capture standardized experiment metadata
• Edit existing fields to change their properties or requirements
• Configure field types (text, number, list, etc.)

Template Properties:

• View and edit template properties including description
• Monitor creation and modification history

Template Management Options

While the default template cannot be deleted or renamed, administrators can:

• Copy the template: Create a duplicate that can be modified and renamed
  1. Click the Actions button
  2. Select Copy
  3. Configure copy options
  4. Click Copy System Template
• Export to PDF: Generate a PDF version for documentation or reference
  1. Click the Actions button
  2. Select Print to PDF
  3. Configure output options
  4. Click Print to PDF

Best Practices for Default Template Management

1. Standardization: Configure the default template to include standard fields and content required for all experiments
2. Minimal Design: Keep the default template relatively simple, as specialized needs can be addressed with custom templates
3. Documentation: Maintain documentation of changes made to the default template
4. User Communication: Inform users about significant changes to the default template
5. Regular Review: Periodically review the default template to ensure it continues to meet organizational needs

By properly configuring the default experiment template, organizations can ensure that all experiments, even those created without a specific template selection, maintain consistent structure and capture essential information required for compliance and data management.