ARK: Survival Ascended Guide | How To Import & Export Templates

The Template Tool in ARK: Survival Ascended makes it easy to make, import, and export base designs. This method is great for sharing structures with friends or using builds that have already been made by people in the community that you trust.

You'll need to save files locally, use the clipboard, and follow a few easy steps to get your templates where you need them.

Creating a Template

To begin, ensure that the Template Hammer is equipped. Construct any kind of structure, even a basic one, using just a few building elements, like a single pillar. Once the structure is placed, switch to Template Tool Create Mode and aim at the build.

A prompt will appear, allowing you to click and select Save. Assign a name and author for your template, then confirm by clicking Accept. This saves the build locally on your device.

Accessing and Exporting Templates

After saving, open the Template Tool again to find your newly saved design listed. Select the template by name and choose the Export option. This copies the template as text data to your system clipboard.

Open your clipboard using Windows + V to confirm it has been saved. From here, you can paste the text into a message or platform like Discord. Simply pasting the content allows others to copy and reuse the template.

Importing Templates

To import a saved or received template, open the Template Tool, navigate to Select Template, and click Import. If the template already exists under the same name, it may overwrite or create a duplicate.

Paste the copied content from your clipboard, click Accept, and the template will be available in your list. From there, select it and place it anywhere suitable on the map.

Remember that templates still follow standard foundation rules—they need valid terrain support to be placed properly.

Sharing Templates Online

Templates can be shared in plaintext. After exporting, paste the copied text into a Discord message or other text-sharing platform. Recipients can download or copy the template text and import it into their local tool using the same Import process.

You can even explore template libraries appearing online. Some players have begun hosting collections of structures like traps, farms, and decorative builds. While downloading files, always ensure the source is trusted, as malicious files can be disguised as harmless templates.

Using Online Templates Safely

When getting templates from outside websites, you should always be careful. It's best to stay away from unmoderated Discord or Reddit groups that aren't well-known. While text-based files generally carry minimal risk, never download executable files or anything suspicious in appearance.

You may find guides and collections featuring weekly builds, such as Trap Blueprints, Paste Farms, or Decorative Templates. These often come in the form of text files that can be copied directly into your clipboard and imported in-game using the Template Tool.