# Configuring Controlled Document Templates

With controlled document templates, users can create and manage templates using regular Vault documents as the template source file. By creating templates from Vault documents, users can leverage versioning, document relationships, lifecycle role permissions, lifecycle management, and other document functionality.

After an Admin completes the proper configuration steps, users can create and manage controlled document templates from Vault documents. Admins can also [create controlled templates directly](/en/lr/5509/#create-controlled-template) from **Business Admin > Templates > Documents & Binders**.

This article explains how to configure your Vault to use controlled document templates. For information about working with these templates, see [Creating & Managing Controlled Document Templates](/en/lr/46018/).

## Configuration {#configuration}

To create and use controlled document templates, Admins must first add the _Template Document Type_ (`template_doctype__v`) field to a document type.

_Template Document Type_ is a [shared document field](/en/lr/4884/) that Admins can add to any document type. This field controls the ability to assign a controlled template created from a Vault document to a position in the document type hierarchy. Once added to a document type, the field appears on the Doc Info page for all documents of that type.

When adding the _Template Document Type_ field to an existing document type that is already in use, we strongly recommend you configure [field-level security](/en/lr/2942/) to control _View_ and _Edit_ permissions on the _Template Document Type_ field. This helps ensure that users do not inadvertently start creating new templates for the document type.

## About Controlled Template Creation

Vault creates controlled document templates only after the following conditions are met:

  1. An Admin configures the Vault as specified above.
  2. A user with _Edit Fields_ permissions populates the _Template Document Type_ field on documents of the selected type to select a location for the template in the document type hierarchy.
  3. The document enters _Steady_ state.

When the document enters _Steady_ state, Vault creates or updates the controlled document template. Controlled document templates inherit the name of the selected template document. However, Admins can [edit template names](/en/lr/5509/#edit) in **Business Admin > Templates > Documents & Binders**.

## Enabling Original Source Tracking {#document_relationships}

When users create a document from a controlled document template, Vault automatically creates a _Based On_ document relationship to allow for traceability. If enabled, Vault can also keep track of the original source document with the _Original Source_ relationship.

Navigate to **Admin > Settings > General Settings** and select the **Enable Original Source Tracking** checkbox to enable Vault to keep track of original source documents. When you enable this setting, all existing documents will have the _Original Source_ relationship applied where applicable.