What sub-templates are
A sub-template is a reusable layout component stored as a separate file in the BIP catalog. Other report templates call it by reference. When you need to update the company logo or standard header, you change the sub-template — all reports that use it get the update automatically.
Creating a sub-template
A sub-template is a .rtf or .xsl file saved in the BIP catalog with the object type “Sub Template”. It contains named sections:
In RTF, define a named section between bookmarks:
<?template:common_header?>- [header content]
<?end template?>
Calling a sub-template from a main template
In your main RTF template, reference the sub-template:
<?import:xdoxsl:///Shared Folders/Custom/Templates/common_header.xsl?>
Then invoke the named section:
<?call-template:common_header?>
The sub-template’s content renders at that position in the main template.
Common use cases
Company letterhead: logo, address, registration number — shared across all customer-facing reports (invoices, POs, statements).
Standard footer: page numbers, confidentiality notice, print timestamp — used on all internal reports.
Conditional approval stamp: a “DRAFT” watermark or “APPROVED” stamp that appears based on document status — reused across any document that needs it.
Table header row: column headers with consistent styling — applied to any report containing a tabular section.
Dynamic sub-template selection
Choose which sub-template to use at runtime based on data:
<?if:COUNTRY='UK'?>
<?import:xdoxsl:///...UK_header.xsl?>
<?call-template:uk_header?>
<?else?>
<?import:xdoxsl:///...global_header.xsl?>
<?call-template:global_header?>
<?end if?>
This allows region-specific letterheads from a single report.
Version management
When updating a shared sub-template, test by running all dependent reports in a test BIP environment first. A broken sub-template breaks every report that uses it simultaneously — unlike changes to individual report templates.