I want to create a frame template and the documentation says “All you have to do is select the frame and enable the Use as Template checkbox in the Inspector.” The problem is this checkbox doesn’t exist in Version 2025.3 (220524).
I first tried creating the new frame template in Component view. Then I went back to Page view and added the new frame template. I started adding shapes and symbols to it but these additions were also updating the frame template and if I deleted the new frame, it also deleted the frame template.
I am so frustrated. It seems new functionality comes at the cost of usability. Sketch is an amazing app but the complexity is overwhelming simple tasks. Am I missing something obvious?
Currently, I recommend reading our updated documentation, which we have recently updated to reflect this release. You can find the article dedicated to Frame Templates here.
In short, you’ll have to select the Frame you want as a Frame Template and choose Arrange > Container > Set as Template in the menu.
If this is an action you do often, you can save yourself some clicks by assigning an app shortcut in System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Please take a look at this article from Apple, which explains how to do it.
Additionally, if you want these templates to be available in other documents, you can make this one a Library. That will make any Frame Template on that document available on any document that adds that Library.
Thanks. I was reading the correct documentation but a cached version which didn’t help. Unfortunately however it still isn’t working as I’d expect. The new template sits on the main canvas as well as on the components page. If I delete it from the canvas, it deletes from the components page. If I edit it on the canvas, it updates the components page so effectively it isn’t a template at all. If it operated the same as a symbol for example (which is effectively a template), I could delete it from the canvas without affecting the symbol. The only workaround I can find is to add it to the canvas, unset it as a template and drag out copies, then set the original as a template again. Because I can’t delete it off the canvas, I have to remember not to edit the original in case I need to use it again. This is not how templates usually work - it should behave the same as the pre-defined templates. Again, am I missing something?
Hi Steve. I’m afraid that’s how it is supposed to work for Components like Symbols as well. When talking about Components that act as containers, like Symbols, Graphics or Frame Templates, the Components View is a reflection of what sits on the Canvas.
If you use Frame Templates often, a good practice here would be to create a dedicated page for them. This way, you don’t need to be extra careful of editing the source of the Templates.