Templates

A template is a recipient object that is used as a model for creating other recipient objects of that type. Every recipient type except public folders can serve as a template. To create a template, create a recipient object as you normally would. Enter any information that you want to use in the model. If, for example, you are creating a mailbox-enabled user template for new employees, you might enter all the organizational, phone, and address information for your company.

Note

When you create a recipient to use as a template, you will probably want to hide the recipient from the address book by using the Exchange Advanced tab on the template’s property sheet. That way, users won’t be able to view the template in the Global Address List. You will always be able to see it in Active Directory Users and Computers. You should also name your template in such a way that it is both easy to find and easy to distinguish from regular recipients. We like prefixing the name with “template” so that all templates are grouped together, or even with “ztemplate” so that they are shown at the end of the list.

To use a template to create an individual recipient, select the template in Active Directory Users and Computers and then choose Copy from the Action menu. The New Object Wizard opens, letting you create the new object. All the information that you entered as part of the template becomes part of the new object, and you can reconfigure the new object using its property sheet, as you would expect.