You could save your template as the default. That would work. Or, you could apply whatever template you wanted once the data is loaded. You can still save your template using save as...

hey 99.... i read your post several times and unless i'm missunderstanding something the process, 9 or 9.1, is the same ..... lets say we open a 60 minute chart of 'csco' and apply my 'center of gravity template'..... now to save that as a layout just click file>save as>, save type as layout, >name it and save..... it will by default be placed in your 'charts' folder... but you can save it anywhere.... i keep my special ones outside of meta, but that brings about some confusing issues so for most people the 'charts' folder is fine...... and of course you know this but some might not, later to open any layout just click open and choose file type as layout.... all your layouts will be shown...... adding several more addtional time frames, 5, 15, 30 and such to that 60 minute is just as easy...... meta will handle the us; part, we just supply the name.....h

hey 99.... i see now what you were refering to..... we have differing definitions and uses for templates/layouts.... a layout to me contains 5 or more time frames along with several charts running unseen underneath those.... the 15 minute may or may not have the same indicators or expert advisors as the 30, which might differ still from the 60 or they could all contain the same ..... as you say, what works on the 60 might not work on the 5...... in some cases the top charts might be of the same time frames but with different line studies but almost always will be the 15, 30 and 60 running behind those.... i condition charts and then save that collection as a layout.... those are sometimes simple and sometimes not but always with the thought of saving time.... as you mentioned , redundant tasks are a pain......h