Using Variables in Service Templates

Last updated: February 27, 2026

Overview

Templated variables allow you to automatically insert dynamic values—like measurements, depths, units, and cost tables—directly into your service template descriptions.

Instead of manually updating descriptions every time you build an estimate, templated variables pull real-time data from the service setup and cost items. This ensures your proposals are accurate, consistent, and automatically reflect the specific measurements and quantities entered in each estimate.

Using templated variables helps you:

  • Eliminate manual edits in proposals

  • Prevent measurement and depth errors

  • Automatically display cost item tables (like Equipment or Materials)

  • Maintain consistent, professional descriptions across jobs

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to use templated variables inside a service template:

Navigate to a Service Template

From the main navigation menu:

  1. Go to Services

  2. Open an existing or new Service Template

  3. Click into the Description field to begin editing

You’ll see standard editable text. This is where templated variables can be inserted.

Insert a Templated Variable

To access available variables:

  1. Place your cursor in the description box

  2. Press Shift + { (Shift + curly bracket)

  3. A dropdown list of available templated variables will appear

These variables represent values connected to your service template—such as measurements, cost items, depth values, or cost category tables.

Use Measurement Variables

For example, you may see a variable like:

  • Asphalt Full Depth Repair Measurement

This variable pulls directly from the measurement type selected in the service.

What this means:
When building an estimate, whatever numeric measurement you enter (e.g., square footage) will automatically populate in the proposal description.

You no longer need to manually update measurement values in every proposal.

Use Depth Variables for Materials

If your service includes materials like asphalt that require depth:

  • You can insert a Depth variable

  • The system will automatically populate the selected depth from the estimate

This allows you to maintain one service template while supporting multiple depth variations—without editing descriptions manually each time.

Insert Cost Category Tables (Example: Equipment Table)

You can also insert entire cost category tables into your description.

For example:

  1. Type Shift + {

  2. Select Equipment Table

  3. The variable will be inserted into the description

When the proposal is generated:

  • All equipment cost items included in the estimate

  • Along with their measurement types

  • Will automatically populate in the proposal

If additional equipment is added later to the estimate, it will automatically appear in the table—no template edits required.

Understanding Where Variables Come From

The variables available in the dropdown are based on what exists inside the service template.

If you do not see a specific measurement, cost item, or parameter:

  • Scroll down within the service template

  • Add the cost item or measurement to the appropriate category (Labor, Materials, Equipment, etc.)

  • Return to the description

  • Press Shift + { again

The newly added value will now be available as a templated variable.

Save the Service Template

Once you’ve added your templated variables:

  1. Review the description

  2. Click Save

  3. Your template will now dynamically populate data in future estimates and proposals

Example Use Case

Instead of writing:

"We will complete 1,250 square feet of asphalt repair at 2 inches depth."

You can write:

"We will complete {Measurement} of asphalt repair at {Depth}."

When the estimate is created and measurements are entered, those fields automatically populate with the correct numbers.

Troubleshooting

Variable Not Appearing in Dropdown

  • Confirm the cost item or measurement exists in the service template

  • Add the item under the correct cost category

  • Press Shift + { again

Proposal Not Updating Correctly

  • Ensure the correct measurement values were entered in the estimate

  • Confirm the variable inserted matches the correct cost item or service measurement

  • Save the service template before generating the proposal

Equipment or Cost Table Missing Items

  • Verify the cost items were added to the estimate under that category

  • Confirm the correct table variable (e.g., Equipment Table) was inserted

  • Regenerate the proposal

Best Practices

  • Use measurement variables whenever numeric values change per job

  • Use depth variables for materials like asphalt to prevent manual errors

  • Use cost category tables for Equipment or Subcontracting to automatically display included items

  • Keep descriptions clean and professional by relying on auto-populated values

Templated variables make your service templates scalable, accurate, and efficient—ensuring every proposal reflects real-time estimate data without manual editing.

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