# Formatting metadata

The extension's default formatters are not meant to be used permanently : their goal is to provide a starting point, from which you can build your own templates.

When importing items' metadata, there are two ways to customize formatting:

* with a SmartBlock, if you use [David Vargas' plugin](https://roamjs.com/extensions/smartblocks)
* with a JavaScript function, if you don't use SmartBlocks or are looking for more granular control over your template

In both cases, the extension provides built-in helpers for retrieving and/or formatting metadata. Refer to each method's page for more details:

{% content-ref url="formatting/smartblock-templates" %}
[smartblock-templates](https://alix-lahuec.gitbook.io/zotero-roam/customization/formatting/smartblock-templates)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="formatting/javascript-templates" %}
[javascript-templates](https://alix-lahuec.gitbook.io/zotero-roam/customization/formatting/javascript-templates)
{% endcontent-ref %}