Allow create similar to reserve a document rather than create (with files)

[lauramengel]

The new "create similar" function is very nice.

From user:
"Is there anyway to create a ‘template’ from a docdb entry to use to create many many additional docdb entries that have many of the same metadata?"

I suggested using the "Create Similar" button.

From user:
"Hi, the problem with this feature is it requires you submit a new or changed document.
I reserved a document number (no docs uploaded) as a template (2959). Then I clicked the Create Similar button and after filling out the form, it errored out because I do not have a doc to upload or change. I then added a doc to my template (2959) and did create similar again from the template. The form to fill out had no docs listed, so I guess I am expected to upload one. I do not have one yet, so this leaves me in the same situation. Any other options you can think of?

I suggested using a placeholder document.

She would have preferred to be able to use "create similar" on a "reserved number" document with no files, and then having "create similar" not require a file.

It may also be appropriate for a user who is using "create similar" on a document that has files, to have the option of having the newly created document not include/copy/require the files from the original document. Or maybe not including the files should be the default. She said we would have to look at the use cases for that, since she had a different use case.

They no longer need this at the moment, but I am sending along the feedback.

I am hoping they used "create similar" to save many steps in making their new docs, but had a few more steps after cloning.

[lauramengel]

To clarify, this is what I answered about having a template:

"Turns out the new release we plan to deploy next week has a
"create similar" button on documents that may do some of what you want
i.e. copy meta-data fields from one doc (which could be your template)
to a newly created doc.

One could imagine making a "template" or "starting point" document,
with specific meta-data you want in all the documents in your "collection"
and "YOUR TITLE HERE" type text for the stuff authors need to change when
creating a new document. Then you would tell your authors to create
their documents, by going to your template document first and clicking
on "create similar". And you could have different template/starting docs,
for different purposes/collections of similar documents."

[ericvaandering]

I think not including files is already the default, isn't it?