# Layouts
**Layout** is a pre-configured viewport configuration with channels assigned for live view and archive playback. Layouts are created by filling a layout template with video channels. There are two main groups of layouts: local and shared.
Local layouts are created and stored locally on the same computer where the Macula Monitor is installed; these are not available for other machines connected to the same server.
Shared, server-side layouts are kept on each server and are available for all users that are connected to the same server from other client computers. If the license limits the client connection number to 1, layouts can still be shared between non-concurrent client connections from different machines.
**Layout template** is a grid-like viewport pattern without any channels bound to it. There is a set of default layout templates stored locally with each Macula Monitor installation; also, user-defined custom templates can be created via Macula Console. Layout template with the channels assigned to viewports can be saved as a layout.
Drag and drop your desired layout template from the *Resources* menu on the left - either from the default local templates or from pre-configured layout templates available under connected server. Template will be empty; drag and drop channels from the relevant section of the menu on the left onto the layout viewports to fill the grid with cameras. Channels' contents will be loaded automatically if it is available. You can also use maps and webpages in any layout.
Click the layout menu  button in the upper-right-hand corner - just above the layout - and select *Save Layout* to save channel configuration as a new local or shared layout, or to overwrite any of the existing ones.
There are the following additional options:
* Choose *Save Presets* if you wish to save the last activated preset for a PTZ capable camera together with the layout. If you do, the preset that was used for the PTZ camera will be remembered and loaded together with the layout, overriding any PTZ position changes, which have been made by any other user/action.
* To make the newly created layout available to any user connected to the same server, enable the *Shared* option in the layout properties and choose your desired settings: target server and layout group. Users who have the *View* permission for the target layout group will be able to see and use your layout; users with the *Administer* permission will be able to overwrite your layout using the same name.
Click the *Expand*  button next to the local layout name in the *Resources* list to remove the layout.
{% hint style="info" %}
You need at least one **layout group** to exist on the target server for you to be able to create shared layouts. Also, your currently logged user must have permissions to administer the target layout group.
In order to add layout groups, log into the target server via Macula Console under an administrative account and go to *Layouts* section; details are available in your server administration user guide. Note that there are no built-in layout groups.
{% endhint %}
Together with the layout, the following parameters are saved and loaded for each viewport, both for local and shared layouts:
* channel/map/webpage position within the layout template
* digital PTZ position
* aspect ratio
* notification panel
* PTZ preset (if enabled when saving PTZ)
The layout menu also allows you to send the currently displayed layout to any of the pre-configured video wall components. Click the layout menu  button in the upper-right-hand corner and select *Display* on and then choose desired video wall and target display number.
Click the *Expand*  button next to any layout in the list to bring up the layout menu. From here, you can:
* **delete** the target layout, or
* send the target layout to the video wall screen.
Note that created layouts cannot be edited: if you wish to change the layout contents, load current layout contents by dragging and dropping it on the live view, make desired alterations and then overwrite existing layout by saving the current layout under the same name.
