# Removing or applying an item template for an existing metadata item

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An item template can only be applied to an existing metadata item by a Stewardship Organisation or registry Administrator.
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Metadata items that were not created using a specific custom item template can still have that template applied to them after creation.

This includes items that were created using a different custom item template, and are therefore already templated. In this case, the original item template must first be unlinked from the item before a new one can be applied.

### How to remove or apply an item template for an existing metadata item

**Note:** This procedure includes instructions for removing/unlinking an item template from a metadata item.

1. Navigate to the desired metadata item, and select its 'Actions' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/Lhgnpfcs1W7jYHx9XOLZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **If your chosen metadata item is not already templated**, select 'Change item template, and proceed to step 5. **If your chosen metadata item is already templated**, select 'Unlink item template'.

<figure><img src="/files/JJg8XQu561p22SzE4soz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/XnfQU0S5IvbEJwvQQAG0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select 'Unlink'. **If you do not wish to apply a new item template to this metadata item**, procedure ends here.

<figure><img src="/files/pxecWutkoY9mhGck0lXG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select the 'Actions' dropdown, then 'Change item template' (see steps 1-2).
5. Select the new template you wish to use via the 'Metadata Item Template' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/LVnuSwoPWb4ZyzGUg93e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Select 'Apply Template'. The template will be applied to the relevant item.

<figure><img src="/files/jl50FW8dMuCzAJvPz4Fk" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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