updating existing articles with new template
Asked by Barb Yantha:

Is it possible to make a change to a group of articles? I've updated a template and would like to apply this template to existing articles. If that type of change isn't possible, can I make a bulk change to a group of articles-to get the same effect?


Answers:
author: WW
body: Ahhh, that would be heavenly to be able to do. Wouldn't it?

Alas, there is **no built-in feature** that will let you update the pages when you update the template or any kind of bulk content change.

You've got 5 main options:

1. Confluence REST API
2. Plugin
3. Update content manually
4. Update code manually
5. Export/edit/import

That's the main reason I learned to work with the [Confluence REST API Cloud](https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/confluence/rest/intro/) ([**Confluence REST API Server/DC)**](https://docs.atlassian.com/atlassian-confluence/REST/6.6.0/). If you're **technical**, then I'd recommend looking into using the REST API, especially if you're going to be doing this repeatedly.

If you're **not technical** , there are some **plugins** that can help with this. However, your main option is probably going to be to **update** each page **manually**, unfortunately.

If you do have to update manually and the **layout is complicated** , you could try **copy/pasting the code** (*if you can read HTML even a little* ). You'd need to have **Source Editor** installed (a free plugin **from Atlassian Labs**). That plugin is useful for so many things anyhow, it's worth installing. If the layout is easy, then just update the content through the normal Edit screen.

To **update the pages' code**, you simply:

* Make the changes on one of the pages, but don't save/update yet  
  * I find copying things out of the template sometimes gives me problems, and using Source Editor can mess up your variables in templates (*unless they've fixed that bug in a newer version that I don't yet have*)
* Then click the **\<\>** to go into Source Editor while in edit mode
* Copy the code you need to add
* Close Source Editor
* Save/Update your changes
* Then go into one of the other pages
  * Go into its Source Editor
  * And paste the code where it should go
* Apply the changes and see if it works to your liking

I did find [this other option](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Confluence-questions/Bulk-change-confluence-pages-content/qaq-p/1026293) that might work for you if you're a space admin. I personally wouldn't do it since it involves export/import, and I don't want to have the chance of accidentally messing up a space every time I need to bulk update pages. But maybe you're ok with that.

Those are all the options I can think of for updating pages when you update the template they came from. I hope at least one of them is helpful!

comments: author: Barb Yantha
body: Excellent answer! Ok, I'll look into a couple of these options (fingers crossed!).

Thanks so very much!


author: Monique Khairuliana[ServiceRocket]
body: Hi [@Barb Yantha](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/4198180) , actually ServiceRocket's [Scaffolding Forms \& Templates](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/190/scaffolding-forms-templates?hosting=cloud&tab=overview) provides this capability:
>
> ### Live templates simplify updates {#toc-hId-1202561720}
>
> With Live Templates, pages dynamically inherit the template's structure and layout in Confluence. Thousands of pages can be updated with just one click, making maintenance and updates faster and more accurate.

The app is available in Server, Data Center and Cloud. This app won't help much if you already have a set of pages that you would like to change, but hopefully this app could help you in the future.

Cheers,

Monique  
ServiceRocket Product Team

comments: author: Barb Yantha
body: Thank you, Monique!


Tags: bulk-edit

cloud

confluence-cloud

template