Importing Existing Templates

This article explains how to use an existing bid, proposal, or report format in Stimaro.

Stimaro does not currently import templates as standalone template files. Instead, there are two practical ways to turn an existing format into a Stimaro template:

1. Use AI Template Cloner to create a template from a PDF, image, or Word document
2. Duplicate an existing Stimaro template and customize it

For most teams, AI Template Cloner is the fastest path if you already have a past bid format or customer-specific report layout you want to reuse.

How Templates Work in Stimaro

Stimaro supports three main types of report templates.

Built-in templates are available from the Reports area. User-created and AI-generated templates are saved so you can use them again on future projects.

What "Importing" Means

In Stimaro, importing an existing template usually means creating a new Stimaro template based on a document you already have.

For example, you may have:

• A prior bid PDF
• A customer-specific bid form
• A proposal letter format
• A screenshot of a report layout
• A Word document your company already uses

Instead of importing that file directly as a live template, Stimaro can use it as a source document to help create a matching report template.

Method 1: Use AI Template Cloner

AI Template Cloner helps create a Stimaro template from an existing document.

Use this method when you have a past bid, proposal, or customer-required format that you want Stimaro to reproduce.

Before You Start

AI Template Cloner requires:

• An active Stimaro sign-in
• AI features enabled for your account
• A source document to upload

Accepted source formats may include:

• PDF
• PNG or JPG image
• DOCX

The cleaner and more representative your source document is, the better the generated template will usually be.

Create a Template From an Existing Document

To create a template with AI Template Cloner:

1. Open a project in Stimaro.
2. Click Reports at the top of the project workspace.
3. In the left panel, open the Templates view.
4. Click New from AI.
5. Upload or drag in your source document.
6. Wait while Stimaro analyzes the document and creates a draft template.
7. Review the generated preview.
8. Save the template if it looks ready to use.

During processing, Stimaro may analyze the document structure, infer layout, generate the template, and apply styling. Once complete, the generated template appears as a new template in your workspace.

Review the Generated Template

After AI Template Cloner creates a draft, review the preview carefully.

Check that:

• The page layout looks correct
• Headings and tables are in the right places
• Your project data appears where expected
• Totals, item lists, dates, and recipient fields populate correctly
• Branding looks appropriate
• The document is suitable for export

If the template looks good, save it and use it like any other report template.

If it needs adjustment, you may be able to edit it manually or try again with a cleaner source document.

Method 2: Duplicate and Customize a Built-In Template

If one of Stimaro's built-in templates is close to the format you need, you can duplicate it and customize the copy.

Use this method when:

• A built-in template is already similar to your desired layout
• You only need small changes to wording, headings, sections, or styling
• You want more manual control over the template structure

To duplicate and customize a template:

1. Open Reports.
2. Find the built-in template you want to use as a starting point.
3. Right-click the template.
4. Choose Duplicate.
5. Open the copied template.
6. Edit the template as needed.
7. Save the customized version.

The customized copy appears in your template list and can be used on future projects.

Editing Custom Templates

Custom template editing is an advanced workflow.

Depending on your Stimaro setup, the editor may expose areas such as:

• HTML for template structure
• CSS for styling
• Variables for project, bid, customer, and item data

Templates use variables to pull information from your project and estimate.

Examples of information a template may use include:

• Project name
• Project description
• Customer name
• Vendor name
• Bid date
• Total bid
• Direct costs
• Markup
• Profit
• Prepared-by name
• Item count
• Item descriptions and totals

You do not need to edit variables for normal report exports. This is mainly useful when creating or adjusting custom templates.

When to Use Each Method

For most customers, start with AI Template Cloner when you already have a document to match.

What Is Not Supported Yet

Stimaro does not currently support every possible template workflow.

At this time, Stimaro does not support:

• Importing a template file directly from another Stimaro user
• Importing a PDF, Word document, or image as a live template without using AI Template Cloner
• Loading templates from a shared network folder
• Syncing locally created templates across separate computers automatically
• Exporting or backing up templates as standalone template files from the standard app workflow

If you need one of these workflows, contact Stimaro so we can help determine the best workaround.

Where Custom Templates Are Stored

User-created and AI-generated templates are stored in the app's template library.

This means:

• A template created for one project can be used on other projects
• Templates remain available after restarting Stimaro
• Templates are not limited to the project where they were created

Custom templates may be local to the device where they were created, depending on your current Stimaro setup.

If your team uses multiple computers, confirm your template workflow during onboarding so everyone understands where templates live and how they should be maintained.

Example: Reusing Customer-Specific Bid Formats

Some estimators submit bids to different customers that each require a different format.

For example:

• Customer A requires a specific bid form
• Customer B wants a proposal-style layout
• Customer C requires a schedule of values format

You can create a separate custom template for each customer.

A typical setup might look like this:

1. Upload Customer A's prior bid format using AI Template Cloner.
2. Save the generated template as Customer A Bid Form.
3. Upload Customer B's proposal format.
4. Save it as Customer B Proposal.
5. Use the correct saved template whenever you prepare a bid for that customer.

Once created, these templates can be reused instead of rebuilt from scratch.

Tips for Better Template Results

When using AI Template Cloner, use the clearest source document available.

For best results:

• Upload a final version of the document, not a rough draft
• Use a document with complete headings, tables, and totals
• Avoid screenshots that are blurry or cut off
• Use a source file that represents the layout you want to reuse
• Review the generated template before using it on a live bid

If the first result is not close enough, try uploading a cleaner source document or duplicating the generated template and editing it manually.