Welcome back to Heidi Health’s template tutorial series. Now that you’re familiar with the basics of template creation, it’s time to explore more advanced techniques. I den här artikeln dyker vi djupare ned i att förfina dina mallar, så att du kan utnyttja kraften i Heidis AI för att möta dina specifika behov.
⚠️ New to Heidi templates? Start with the basics first → Creating Templates in Heidi: A Basic Guide
What’s in This Guide
Key Section | Vad du kommer att lära dig |
Two Methods to Refine Templates | Template Builder vs Manual Editing |
Changing Formatting & Length | Paragraphs, bullet points, concise vs. detailed |
Handling Missing Information | What to do when info isn’t mentioned during a consult |
Creating Lists & Special Formats | Numbered lists, sub-bullet points, mixed formats |
Global Instructions | Settings that apply to your whole template |
Felsökning | Common issues and how to fix them |
Video Tutorial
Two Methods to Refine Your Templates
There are two approaches to improving your templates:
Approach | Bäst för | Skill Level |
Template Builder | Quick changes, formatting tweaks, most users | Beginner-friendly |
Manual Editing | Precise control, complex requirements | Requires understanding of syntax |
Our recommendation: start with the Template Builder. If you can’t achieve what you need, switch to manual editing.
This guide covers each technique in detail, so you can choose what works best for you.
Quick Recap: The 4 Template Components
Before we dive in, here’s a quick reminder of the syntax:
Component | Syntax | Example |
Section Heading | Plain text |
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Placeholder |
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AI Instruction |
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Verbatim |
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Bracket Hygiene Rules
Following these rules ensures Heidi interprets your template correctly:
✅ Do:
Put placeholders in square brackets:
[Content to insert]Put instructions in parentheses:
(How to format it)Keep instructions immediately after their placeholder
❌ Avoid:
Nest brackets within brackets
Mix bracket types
Include examples inside placeholders
💡 To get the most out of your templates, communicate with Heidi using clear, specific instructions. The more direct your wording, the better Heidi understands what you need.
Changing Formatting and Length
One of the most common refinements is changing how Heidi formats your output.
Quick Reference: Formatting Commands
What You Want | Template Builder (Type This) | Manual Edit (Add This Instruction) |
Paragraphs instead of bullet points | “Write the subjective section as a flowing paragraph, not bullet points” |
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Line-by-line without bullet points | “Write each item on its own line without bullet points” |
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Brief/concise output | “Make the subjective section more brief and concise” |
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More detailed output | “Make the plan section more detailed” |
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Numbered list | “Present the medications as a numbered list” |
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Bullet points | “Use bullet points for the past medical history” |
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💡 Use Natural Language for AI Instructions: Clear, everyday language produces the best results. Simple instructions like "Write this section as a narrative" are more effective than technical or vague phrasing - so keep it natural, but keep it specific.
Example 1: Converting Bullet Points to Paragraphs
The Problem: Heidi outputs your Subjective section as bullet points, but you prefer flowing narrative text.
Template Builder Solution:
Type in the chat: “Write the Subjective section as a flowing paragraph, not bullet points”
Manual Edit Solution:
Go to the Structure tab
Find the Subjective section
Remove any bullet point characters (- or •) from the template
Add this instruction after your placeholder:
[Chief complaint and history of presenting illness] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes or clinical notes, else omit section entirely. Never use bullet points. Write in full sentences using paragraph format.)
Före
Subjektivt:
45-year-old male presenting with chest pain
Pain started 2 days ago
Describes as tight, pressure-like sensation
Radiates to left arm
Efter
Subjective: Mr Johnson is a 45-year-old male presenting with chest pain that started 2 days ago. He describes the pain as a tight, pressure-like sensation that radiates to his left arm.
Example 2: Line-by-Line Without Bullet Points
The Problem: You want each piece of information on its own line, but without bullet points or paragraph format.
Template Builder Solution:
Type: “Write each item on its own line without bullet points or paragraph format”
Manual Edit Solution:
[Past medical history] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes or clinical notes, else omit section entirely. Write each condition on its own line. Do not use bullet points, dashes, or paragraph format.)
Output:
Sjukhistoria:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (diagnosed 2018)
Hypertension
Hyperlipidaemia
Osteoarthritis bilateral knees
Example 3: Brief vs. Detailed Output
For a more concise note:
Metod | Hur du ska göra det |
Template Builder | “Make the entire note more brief and concise” |
Manual Edit | Add at the end of your template: |
For a more detailed note:
Metod | Hur du ska göra det |
Template Builder | “Make the plan section more comprehensive and detailed” |
Manual Edit | Add to specific section: |
💡 Don't forget the Voice setting: Brief, Goldilocks, Detailed, Super Detailed. This controls output style across all your templates, which can save you from adding length instructions to every section individually.
Worth noting: 'Super Detailed' is designed to include direct quotes - so if that's not what you're after, switch to Detailed. You'll get the exact same level of detail, just without the quotes.
Handling Missing Information
What should Heidi do when information isn’t mentioned in the consultation? You have several options.
Desired Behaviour | Template Builder | Manual Instruction |
Omit the section entirely (standard instruction) | “If allergies aren’t mentioned, leave that section out completely” |
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Print “Not mentioned” | “If allergies aren’t discussed, write ‘Not mentioned’” |
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Print “Not discussed” | “If social history isn’t covered, write ‘Not discussed’” |
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Print “Nil” | “If no allergies, write ‘Nil’” |
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Print “NKDA” (allergies) | “If allergies aren’t mentioned, default to ‘NKDA’” |
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Print “Nil of note” | “If nothing is discussed for past history, write ‘Nil of note’” |
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Creating Lists and Special Formats
Numbered Lists
Template Builder:
Type in the chat: “Make medications a numbered list with each on a new line”
Manual Edit:
[Current medications with dosages and frequency] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes or clinical notes, else omit section entirely. Write as a numbered list with each medication on a new line.)
Output:
Medications:
Metformin 1000mg twice daily
Lisinopril 10mg once daily
Atorvastatin 20mg at night
Numbered Lists with Sub-Bullet Points
Template Builder:
Type in the chat: “Make the management plan a numbered list with sub-bullets for details under each item”
Manual Edit:
[Management plan] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes or clinical notes, else omit section entirely. Write as a numbered list with each main item as a number. If any item has sub-points, write them as indented bullet points beneath that number.)
Output:
Plan:
1. Lifestyle modifications
Reduce sodium intake
Increase physical activity to 30 mins daily
Weight loss goal of 5kg over 3 months
2. Medication adjustment
Increase Lisinopril to 20mg daily
Continue Metformin unchanged
3. Follow-up
Review in 4 weeks
Repeat bloods prior to appointment
Mixed Format with Headers and Bullet Points
Template Builder:
Type in the chat: “Write the physical examination with bold system headers followed by findings as bullets underneath”
Manual Edit:
[Physical examination findings] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes or clinical notes, else omit section entirely. Write with bold system headers followed by relevant findings as bullet points beneath each system.)
Output:
Examination:
Cardiovascular:
Heart rate 78 bpm, regular
Blood pressure 145/92 mmHg
Heart sounds dual, no murmurs
Respiratory:
Chest clear bilaterally
No wheeze or crackles
Respiratory rate 16
Global Instructions
Global instructions apply to your entire template rather than a specific section. Place them at the very beginning or very end of your template.
Common Global Instructions
Purpose | Template Builder | Manual Instruction (at end of template) |
Use patient’s name | “Always refer to the patient by their first name” |
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First person perspective | “Write the note from my perspective using ‘I’” |
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British/Australian spelling | “Use Australian English spelling throughout” |
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Date format | “Use DD/MM/YYYY format for all dates” |
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Metric units | “Use metric units throughout” |
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Currency | “Record all payments in AUD” |
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Formal tone | “Use formal medical terminology throughout” |
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Patient-friendly language | “Use simple language a patient could understand” |
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Example: Global Instruction for Referral Letters
For referral letters, you might want a specific tone:
Template Builder:
Type in the chat: “Write this letter in second person, addressing the specialist directly as ‘you’”
Manual Edit (insert at the end of your template):
(Write this letter in second-person voice, addressing the receiving clinician directly as 'you' throughout. Never refer to them in third person as 'the specialist' or 'the doctor'. Maintain a professional, collegial tone.)
Pro Tips for Effective Templates
Be Specific with Placeholders
Instead of vague placeholders, be explicit about what to include:
❌ Vague | ✅ Specific |
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Strong Instruction Words
For instructions that must be followed precisely:
Weaker | Stronger |
“Try to use…” | “Always use…” |
“Prefer…” | “Never use…” |
“Should…” | “Must…” |
“Write…” | “Print…” (for exact fixed text) |
Test Your Changes
After making edits:
Save your template
Regenerate a note from an existing session
Compare before/after outputs
If it’s not right, refine and test again
💡 Templates improve with refinement. After testing, review the output and adjust your instructions as needed.
Felsökning
Quick Fixes
Problem | Likely Cause | Lösning |
Placeholder text appearing in output | Bracket hygiene issue | Check that placeholders use |
Heidi inventing information | Missing safety instruction | Add |
Formatting not matching instructions | Conflicting instructions | Check for instructions elsewhere in the template that contradict. Check Memory settings (See: Memory) |
Unwanted quotes appearing | Voice set to “Super Detailed” | Change Voice to “Detailed” or add instruction: |
Bullet points appearing when you want paragraphs | Bullet characters in template | Remove any |
Template seems to ignore changes | Page not refreshed | Save template, refresh the page, and regenerate. |
Incomplete or Fragmented Outputs
If your notes are coming out incomplete or fragmented:
Check your Scribe setting: Use “Advanced” or “Best” mode for complex templates
Check your Voice setting: “Detailed” mode produces more structured output
Simplify your template: Too many instructions can cause issues; remove unnecessary complexity
Check instruction placement: Put critical instructions at the top of your template
Check your transcript: Were all the sections actually discussed?
Template Not Following Instructions
If Heidi seems to ignore your formatting instructions:
Step 1: Check for conflicts
Look for contradicting instructions elsewhere in the template
Check if Memory settings override the template
Check Personalisations for conflicting preferences
Step 2: Make instructions more explicit
Instead of: (Use paragraph format)
Try: (Never use bullet points, dashes, or numbered lists. Write in full sentences using paragraph format only.)
Tables Not Rendering
⚠️ Heidi is unable to produce tables reliably at this stage - this is a known limitation we're working to improve. In the meantime...
If you need tabular data:
Convert the table structure in your template to line-by-line format with headings
Generate your note in Heidi
Copy the output into your practice management system or Word
Reformat into a table there if needed
Best Practice Summary
✅ Do:
Include safety instructions on every placeholder
Be specific with placeholder descriptions
Use consistent terminology throughout
Test changes with real sessions
Start simple and add complexity gradually
❌ Avoid:
Nesting brackets or mixing bracket types
Including examples inside placeholders
Contradicting instructions in different parts of the template
Making too many changes at once (hard to debug)
What’s Next?
You’ve mastered intermediate template techniques! Ready for the advanced features?
➡️ Mastering your Heidi Templates: An Advanced Guide - Learn conditional logic (if-then statements), clinical macros, integrating historical context, and more.
⬅️ Creating Templates in Heidi: A Basic Guide - Review the fundamentals.
Behöver du hjälp?
If you encounter challenges with your templates:
💬 Help button - Chat with our support team
🌐 Template Community - Browse templates from other clinicians
We’re here to help you create templates that work perfectly for your practice!

