What Are Templates?
Templates in ExtendInsights Excel define the objects or record types that users interact with.
The ExtendInsights Excel Add-In provides an intuitive interface for selecting objects, record types, and fields. When a template is loaded into a worksheet, it transforms into an Excel table bound to a object or record type, with each column mapped to a corresponding field.
Users can then:
✅ Dowload existing data into Excel
✅ Update records directly from Excel
✅ Create new records seamlessly
✅ Delete records for data clean up
This functionality enables efficient data management without leaving Excel.
Build your first template
👋 This will walk you through creating a template for a Salesforce connection, with support for other CRM solutions coming soon.
1. From the list of data sources, select Salesforce.
 | 2. Click Create a Template to build your first template.
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3. Choose desired connection in the Active Connection box then select the object for your data. In the scenario below, we will be selecting Lead.
| 4. A list of available fields will be displayed. You can enter a partial name for any field to find matches. Select each field and when done, click Apply. Need to change the data type for your field? Learn how here. 
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5. You can rearrange fields by dragging and dropping, remove fields, change format type or add new ones before clicking Done.
 | 6. Click Proceed to load the template.
Ensure your current worksheet is empty, as loading the template will clear existing data
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5. If desired, save the template to be reused in other workbooks, give the template a name, and then choose Save As Template.
We recommend saving templates regularly to save time and avoid the need to rebuild them.
 | 6. Now that the template is loaded, you can retrieve, update or create records using ExtendInsights.
Next Steps:
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💡 Tips when Building Templates
Define Objects & Fields Clearly
Identify the Salesforce objects (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities.
Map only the necessary fields to avoid unnecessary data processing.
When creating a template, the field label that appears on the object in Salesforce may be different than the field name. The field name is what is initially displayed in the template field list. If you are not sure of the field label go into Salesforce:
Click Setup
Type in the object name in the search bar or Build > Customize.
Choose the Object and click on Fields.
For this example, I'm looking for lead object.
Salesforce field labels - You can see below the Field label is called Lead Status but the Field Name is just Status.
Ensure Field Compatibility
Verify that field types in Salesforce match those in your template (e.g., date formats, picklist values, and numeric fields).
Save & Reuse the Template
Save the template in ExtendInsights to avoid repetitive mapping for future uploads and download.
If you frequently update similar data, create pre-configured templates for efficiency.