Database Templates
Database templates are pre-configured starting points for common workflows. Each template comes with sensible properties, status options, and at least one ready-to-use view (Table, Board, or Focus Board) so you can start tracking work in seconds.
Using a Template
- Navigate to Databases in the sidebar
- Click New Database
- Choose Start from a template instead of Blank
- Browse by category, or search by name
- Select a template — a new database is created with all its properties, options, and views
You can rename, edit, or delete any property after creation. Templates are a starting point, not a contract.
What Every Template Includes
| Element | Default |
|---|---|
| Auto ID property | A read-only ID column that auto-increments — added to every template |
| Title property | Each template defines its primary text column (Task Name, Project Name, Goal, etc.) |
| Pre-configured properties | Status, Priority, Person, Date, Effort, and other type-appropriate columns |
| Default view | A Table view configured for the template |
| Extra views | Many templates include a Board or Focus Board view as well |
Templates by Category
Project Management
| Template | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks ✓ | Simple task lists with status, priority, and due dates | Status, Priority, Assignee, Due Date, Tags |
| Projects 📊 | Multi-week initiatives with budgets and teams | Status, Start/End Date, Budget, PM, Team, Progress |
| Focus Planning 🏃 | Agile user stories with Focus Cycles and Effort | Focus Cycle, Effort, Status, Assignee, Epic, Priority + Focus Board |
| Goal Tracker 🎯 | Personal or team goals with target dates | Focus Cycle, Status, Category, Owner, Effort, Progress + Focus Board |
| Milestone Tracker | Key deliverables across a programme | Status, Target Date, Owner |
| Resource Allocation | Who's working on what | Person, Hours, Project |
| Issue Tracker | Generic issue list | Status, Priority, Assignee |
Software Development
| Template | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Dev Issues 🔧 | Engineering issues, features, tech debt | Type, Status, Focus Cycle, Priority, Effort, Component, Environment + Focus Board |
| Bug Tracker 🐛 | Defect tracking | Severity, Status, Assignee, Reporter, Version, Environment, Reported Date |
| Product Roadmap 🗺️ | Feature planning by quarter | Status, Quarter, Owner, Effort |
| Feature Requests | Customer-driven feature backlog | Status, Votes, Submitted By |
Sales & CRM
| Template | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| CRM / Contacts | Contact directory with company links | Name, Email, Phone, Company, Status |
| Sales Pipeline | Deal tracking by stage | Stage, Value, Owner, Close Date |
| Invoices | Invoice tracking (separate from Ascend's invoice module) | Number, Client, Amount, Status, Due Date |
| Customer Support | Support ticket queue | Status, Priority, Assignee, Customer |
| Partner Directory | Partner and reseller list | Type, Region, Contact |
Business Operations
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Inventory | Stock with quantities, suppliers, and reorder thresholds |
| Vendor Management | Vendor list with contracts and renewals |
| Asset Manager | Equipment, software licenses, and other assets |
| Vendor List | Lighter-weight vendor directory |
| Contract Registry | Contracts with parties, dates, and renewal alerts |
| Expense Tracker | Expense logging with categories and amounts |
| Time Logs | Time entries by person and project |
HR
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Job Applicants | Hiring pipeline by stage |
| Employee Directory | Team roster with roles and contact info |
| Performance Reviews | Review cycles with ratings and notes |
| Training Log | Course completion and certifications |
Content & Creative
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Content Pipeline 📝 | Editorial workflow with content types and publish dates + Focus Board |
| Content Calendar | Date-first content scheduling |
| Design Assets | Asset library with files and tags |
| Video Production | Production stages from script to publish |
| Freelance Projects | Client work with deliverables and invoicing |
| Art Commissions | Commission queue with status and payment |
Education
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Student Roster | Class list with grades and contact info |
| Course Catalog | Course directory with prerequisites and credits |
| Assignments | Coursework with due dates and grades |
| Study Schedule | Personal study planning |
| Lesson Plans | Lessons with objectives and materials |
| Research Sources | Citations and source notes |
Personal & Lifestyle
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Reading List | Books with status, rating, and notes |
| Habit Tracker | Daily habits with streaks |
| Recipe Collection | Recipes with ingredients and tags |
| Travel Planner | Trips with itinerary and bookings |
| Fitness Log | Workout tracking |
| Movie Watchlist | Films with status, rating, genre |
| Gift Planner | Gifts by recipient and occasion |
| Subscription Manager | Subscriptions with renewal dates and costs |
Legal & Specialised
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Matter Tracker ⚖️ | Legal matters and cases with priorities and deadlines + Focus Board |
Meetings & OKRs
| Template | Best for |
|---|---|
| Meeting Notes | Meetings with attendees, agenda, and action items |
| OKRs | Objectives and key results with progress |
| Event Planning | Events with tasks, vendors, and timelines |
Pre-configured Layouts
A handful of templates are designed primarily for the view layout rather than the property schema:
| Template | What it sets up |
|---|---|
| Simple Kanban | A minimal database with a Board View grouped by Status |
| Team Tasks Board | Board view grouped by Assignee with Status and Priority columns |
| Project Roadmap | Roadmap board grouped by Quarter and Status |
After Creating a Database from a Template
You're free to modify everything:
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| Rename properties | Click the column header → Edit Property |
| Add or remove options | Click a Select/Status property → Edit Property → manage options |
| Add views | Click the + next to the view tabs |
| Add new properties | Click the + at the right of the header row |
| Delete unused properties | Click the column header → Delete Property |
Tips
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Start from a template even if it's not a perfect fit — it's faster than building from scratch | Spending time looking for a perfect template — pick the closest one and adapt |
| Rename the database immediately so it reflects your actual use | Keeping the default template name (you'll have multiple "Tasks" databases otherwise) |
| Combine templates by adding properties from one to a database created from another | Recreating the same structure multiple times — make a template-friendly database and duplicate it |
Related
- Property Types — Understand what each template's properties do
- Working with Rows — Start populating data
- Focus Board — How the Focus Board–enabled templates work
- Kanban Board — How the Board-layout templates work