# Code Templates Preferences

The Code Templates Preferences page allows you to configure the code and comments that are automatically created for different types of elements.

The Code Templates Preferences page is accessed from Window | Preferences | PHP | Code Style | Code Templates.

To edit the pattern for a comment or code element:

1. Expand the list and select the required element.
2. Click Edit. The "Edit Template" dialog is displayed.
3. Edit the pattern as required and click OK.
4. If required, mark the 'Automatically add comments for new methods and types' box for comments to be automatically generated when new methods and types are created.
5. Click Apply to apply your changes.

### Exporting and Importing Code Templates

PDT enables you to export and import code templates, which are created within XML files in the following format:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
    <templates>
        <template
            autoinsert="true" context="php" deleted="false" description="description" enabled="true" id="org.eclipse.php.ui.editor.templates.php.codetemplates.xxxcomment" name="name">
            /** * ${tags} */
        </template>
    </templates>

To import a code template:

1. Click Import to open the "Import Templates" browser.
2. Select the relevant XML file containing the template information.
3. Click Open.

The templates contained in the template.xml file will be imported into the list of Templates.

To export a code template:

1. Select the template(s) for export from the Template list.
2. Click Exportto open the "Export Templates" dialog.
3. Select the location to save the XML file to.
4. Click Save.

An XML file will be created with the template information.

To export all code templates:

1. Click Export All.
2. Select the location to save the XML file to.
3. Click Save.

An XML file will be created with the template information.

#### Note:

If you selected more than one template to export, all of them will be present in the exported XML file. Each of the original Templates is bounded by: `<template></template>`

#### Related Links:

- Templates Preferences
- PHP Preferences
- phpDoc Block Comments