===== Creating Empty Import Templates =====

With this method, the template will contain zeros for all data in the variable.

  - Right click on variable to import
  - Select Create Variable Instance > Microsoft Excel
  - Save Excel spreadsheet to use as a template for future imports

===== Creating Populated Import Templates =====
With this method, the template will contain existing values from the selected scenario.  The user can then overwrite particular values as necessary.

  - Ensure that one and only one scenario is selected
  - Right click on variable to import
  - Select See Variable > Microsoft Excel
  - Save Excel spreadsheet to use as a template for future imports

===== Using Import Templates =====

  - Open Excel template and enter data for variable
  - Save Excel spreadsheet as tab-delimited text file with the variable name
  - Close the spreadsheet
  - Create an import view that uses that text file (see [[howtos:toolcoding:general_view_writing | General View Writing]] for information on how to create and run views)