Templates: Getting Started on OSF Projects Faster and Easier

• Overview: What are OSF projects and How do they Fit in the OSF landscape of tools?
  • Step 1: Choose your Template 
  • Step 2: How to create your personal copy of a template
  • Step 3: Learn about parts of an OSF Project
  • Step 4: Explore COS Ambassador OSF Project Examples

Overview: Where to begin? 

A new OSF project is a blank canvas that is flexible and can be modified in multiple ways to fit different research team goals with a flexible collaborative workspace where your team and collaborators can work together in real-time. The problem with a blank project is it can be very difficult for new users to know where to begin, or to know the potential of how to use an OSF project. To help with this problem, we have provided 4 easy steps for any new user to choose a starting template to fit their research team's needs.

Step 1: Choose your Template

Below are example templates of projects on the OSF, and will give you a great starting point to best fit your goals

Step 2: How to create your copy of an OSF project

Start on your project of choice. In the top right corner click on the icon that looks like a splitting line.

You will have two choices for copying the project. These options and meanings are listed below:

• Fork this Project
• Duplicate Template 

Option 1: "Fork this Project"

Forking duplicates the project and any associated files that were stored in OSF Storage into the new project. Note: any links to other projects in the text will not copy the linked project. This is the most effective option if you are the owner of the original project

Once you click "Fork this project", you will receive a pop-up warning. Click "Fork".

A pop-up notification will appear at the top right side of your screen stating if the project was successfully forked.

Go to the email associated with your OSF account to find a link to your forked project. The email should look like the image below.

Option 2: Duplicate Template

If the original project you are copying is not your property, you can duplicate the template of that project. Copying will duplicate the text, component structure, and other essential items, you a great starting point for your work. This option will not copy over any connected add-ons to the new project.

Insert an element

Once you have clicked “Duplicate template”, you will receive a pop-up warning. Click "Create".

Your screen will be gray, and you will see a "please wait" warning as the OSF creates your own personal template:

Once the copying process is complete your screen should load directly to your new template copy of the project. You can tell this is your copy, as you will be the only contributor, and the word "Template" will be in the title of the project.

Step 3: Learn about parts of an OSF Project

For more information on parts of an OSF Project see the links below

Step 4: Explore COS Ambassador OSF Project Examples

Thank you to our fantastic COS ambassadors who help promote the OSF and all open science practices

Want to Know More?

For more information and other OSF tips and tricks please see our support guides, or contact OSF Support for more information.

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