> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.decodahealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Note Templates Update
We changed how note templates work. Instead of one big text box, templates now have individual fields for each piece of information—like a form.
**Rolling out January 2026.**
***
## What Changed?
**Old way:** Your template was a block of text with placeholders like `{{chief_complaint}}`. AI filled it in as paragraphs.
**New way:** Your template is a form with separate fields. Each piece of info gets its own box—text fields, dropdowns, yes/no switches, etc.
* Hunt through paragraphs to fix one thing
* Vitals buried in text
* AI guesses what goes where
* One big text blob
* Click the field, edit it, done
* Vitals auto-save to patient chart
* AI knows exactly what each field needs
* Clean, organized sections
***
## Building a Template
Go to **Settings → Note Templates → Create Template**.
You'll see a blank form on the right and a toolbox on the left.
### Field Types
Drag fields from the left panel onto your template:
* **Short Text** — One-line answers (chief complaint, diagnosis)
* **Long Text** — Multi-line answers (assessment, detailed history)
* **Number** — Just numbers (age, dosage)
* **Date** — Date picker
* **Dropdown** — Pick one option from a list
* **Checkboxes** — Pick multiple options
* **Yes/No** — Simple toggle switch
These have a green dot and auto-save to the patient record:
* Weight, Height, Blood Pressure
* Allergies, Medications
* Medical History
Upload slots for images (before/after photos, etc.)
Attachments work the same as before—you're still uploading photos the same way. The only difference is where they live. Previously, attachments were in a separate tab. Now you can place them anywhere in your template, right next to the relevant fields.
### Setting Up a Field
Click any field to configure it:
| Setting | What it does |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Label** | The question text ("Chief Complaint") |
| **Required** | Must be filled before saving |
| **AI Hint** | Helps AI know what to extract from recordings |
| **Placeholder** | Gray hint text inside empty fields |
**AI Hint example:** If your label is "Subjective", add a hint like "Patient's
symptoms and complaints in their own words." This helps AI pull the right info
from transcripts.
### Organizing Fields
* **Drag** the handle to reorder
* **Click** to edit
* **Trash icon** to delete
***
## Using Templates
Record your session as usual
Click **Generate AI Note** and pick a template
AI fills in each field from your recording—review and edit any fields
Save when you're happy with it
**Chat with AI:** After generating, use the chat box to tweak answers. Try "Make the assessment shorter" or "Add more detail about the symptoms."
Click **Create Note → Manual**
Pick a template
Fill in each field
Save when complete
***
## Converting Old Templates
Your existing templates still work. We converted them to a single "Long Text" field with your old content.
**Want to upgrade?** You can convert them to the new format:
Open your template in **Settings → Note Templates**
Look for the blue **"Legacy Template Detected"** banner
Click **Convert to Form**—AI suggests fields based on your old template
Review the suggestions and click **Apply** if you're happy
Save your template
**Not sure?** Duplicate your template first. Then you have a backup if you
want to revert.
***
## Your Old Notes Are Fine
Notes you already created haven't changed. They look exactly the same as
before. The new format only applies to new notes going forward.
***
## Quick Tips
* Add AI Hints to your fields
* Use dropdowns instead of text when there's a fixed set of options
* Use Patient Chart fields for vitals—they auto-save
* Don't mark everything as required (only the essentials)
***
## Need Help?
Contact support if you have questions about migrating specific templates, or ask an AI assistant for quick answers:
> "Help me with Decoda note templates. Docs: [https://docs.decodahealth.com/guides/scribe-forms-migration](https://docs.decodahealth.com/guides/scribe-forms-migration)"
[
**ChatGPT**](https://chatgpt.com/?q=Help%20me%20with%20Decoda%20note%20templates.%20Docs%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.decodahealth.com%2Fguides%2Fscribe-forms-migration) • [
**Claude**](https://claude.ai/new?q=Help%20me%20with%20Decoda%20note%20templates.%20Docs%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.decodahealth.com%2Fguides%2Fscribe-forms-migration)