How to use macros in variables in templates?

[Sabrina Leitner (IN)]

Hey there,

I created a template for our clients and projects. 

The project leads will fill in all the information, e.g. who works on this project, timings etc.
Therefore I created some variables and placeholdertexts.

The problem is that I can only choose between "text", "multiple text" and "list". There is no way to choose user mention or the like. When choosing "text" I can just fill in actual text. No tagging via @ etc. 

How can I use macros like user mention, date (//) etc. in variables?

Furthermore the placeholdertexts only show, when opening the template page. When USING it, the placeholdertexts don't show. That doesn't make sense to me. Any ideas how to display the placeholdertexts when creating a new page through a template?

And one last question: 
Can I create a template for a page including a sub-page?

E.g.:

Client

    > Project A 

    > Project B

Thank you so much!
Sabrina

[Shannon S · Accepted solution]

Hi Sabrina,

In addition to the advice already given to you, I wanted to share with you a feature request that is related to your requirement. 

• CONFCLOUD-30567 Allow for access to common variables in Blueprints templates

You can vote on it to show your interest, which will automatically add you to the notification list when there are any updates.

Take care,

Shannon

[Florian · Accepted solution]

Nope. That’s not so easy. You can probably create a blueprint. A blueprint is a more sophisticated kind of template. But as far as I know it requires programming skills and need to be “installed” over the file system. 
Maybe there is a plug-in for that. Look for “space tree creator” or for “blueprint creator”. We use the first one. It allows placeholders that need to be filled during space creation. For us it’s good enough.

[Stephan Sutter]

Hi @Sabrina Leitner (IN) 

Maybe our Page Tree Creator App for Confluence Cloud could solve your requirement. It let's you create multi-page templates.

You can find the Page Tree Creator on the Marketplace.

Regards,
Stephan (PM at EPS Software Engineering AG, the vendor of the Page Tree Creator)