diff --git a/config_example.yml b/config_example.yml
index 681daca3..5f6aae40 100644
--- a/config_example.yml
+++ b/config_example.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ General:
 Regions:
   - Name: "Signal_region"
     Variable: "jet_pt"
-    Filter: "lep_charge > 0"
+    Filters:
+      - Name: "lepton_charge"
+        Filter: "lep_charge > 0"
     Binning: [200, 300, 400, 500, 600]
 
 Samples:
diff --git a/docs/config.rst b/docs/config.rst
index c0259011..cc4659a0 100644
--- a/docs/config.rst
+++ b/docs/config.rst
@@ -32,12 +32,16 @@ Details about the setting blocks:
 Common options:
 ---------------
 
-.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/template_setting
+.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/filters_setting
 
-.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/samples_setting
+.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/filter_setting
 
 .. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/samplepath_setting
 
 .. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/regions_setting
 
+.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/template_setting
+
+.. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/samples_setting
+
 .. jsonschema:: ../src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json#/definitions/smoothing_setting
diff --git a/src/cabinetry/configuration.py b/src/cabinetry/configuration.py
index 4984396f..d0e635a8 100644
--- a/src/cabinetry/configuration.py
+++ b/src/cabinetry/configuration.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import logging
 import pathlib
 import pkgutil
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Union
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, TypeVar, Union
 
 import jsonschema
 import yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+# used in _setting_to_list below
+T = TypeVar("T", str, Dict[str, Any])
+
+
 def load(file_path_string: Union[str, pathlib.Path]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """Loads, validates, and returns a config file from the provided path.
 
@@ -99,7 +103,7 @@ def print_overview(config: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
         log.info(f"  {len(config['Systematics'])} Systematic(s)")
 
 
-def _setting_to_list(setting: Union[str, List[str]]) -> List[str]:
+def _setting_to_list(setting: Union[T, List[T]]) -> List[T]:
     """Converts a configuration setting to a list.
 
     The config allows for two ways of specifying some settings, for example samples. A
@@ -108,10 +112,12 @@ def _setting_to_list(setting: Union[str, List[str]]) -> List[str]:
     converted to a list.
 
     Args:
-        setting (Union[str, List[str]]): name of single setting value or list of values
+        setting (Union[Union[str, Dict[str, Any]], List[Union[str, Dict[str, Any]]]]):
+            single setting value (string or dictionary) or list of values (each being
+            strings or dictionaries)
 
     Returns:
-        list: name(s) of sample(s)
+        list: values (strings or dictionaries) in list form
     """
     if not isinstance(setting, list):
         setting = [setting]
diff --git a/src/cabinetry/route.py b/src/cabinetry/route.py
index b3e66f80..dcf6b4ad 100644
--- a/src/cabinetry/route.py
+++ b/src/cabinetry/route.py
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-# type of a function processing templates, takes sample-region-systematic-template,
-# returns None
+# type of a function processing templates, takes general-region-sample-systematic-
+# template, returns None
 # template can be "Up" / "Down" for variations, or None for nominal
 ProcessorFunc = Callable[
     [Dict[str, Any], Dict[str, Any], Dict[str, Any], Optional[Literal["Up", "Down"]]],
     None,
 ]
 
-# type of a user-defined function for template processing, takes sample-region-
+# type of a user-defined function for template processing, takes general-region-sample-
 # systematic-template, returns a boost_histogram.Histogram
 # template can be any string (to match "Up" / "Down"), or None / "*" to match nominal
 UserTemplateFunc = Callable[
diff --git a/src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json b/src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json
index 62704b75..45bbf035 100644
--- a/src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json
+++ b/src/cabinetry/schemas/config.json
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@
                     "description": "folder to save histograms to and read histograms from",
                     "type": "string"
                 },
+                "Filters": {
+                    "description": "selection criteria to apply",
+                    "$$description": "only affects ntuple inputs",
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/filters_setting"
+                },
                 "Fixed": {
                     "description": "list of parameters to treat as constant in fits",
                     "type": "array",
@@ -145,9 +150,10 @@
                     },
                     "uniqueItems": true
                 },
-                "Filter": {
-                    "description": "selection criteria to apply",
-                    "type": "string"
+                "Filters": {
+                    "description": "selection criteria to apply (can override filters at general level)",
+                    "$$description": "only affects ntuple inputs",
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/filters_setting"
                 },
                 "RegionPath": {
                     "description": "(part of) path to file containing region",
@@ -182,9 +188,10 @@
                     "description": "name of tree",
                     "type": "string"
                 },
-                "Filter": {
-                    "description": "selection criteria to apply (override for region setting)",
-                    "type": "string"
+                "Filters": {
+                    "description": "selection criteria to apply (can override filters at general and region level)",
+                    "$$description": "only affects ntuple inputs",
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/filters_setting"
                 },
                 "Weight": {
                     "description": "weight to apply to events",
@@ -307,9 +314,10 @@
                     "description": "variable to bin in (override for nominal setting)",
                     "type": "string"
                 },
-                "Filter": {
-                    "description": "selection criteria to apply (override for region / sample setting)",
-                    "type": "string"
+                "Filters": {
+                    "description": "selection criteria to apply (can override filters at general, region and sample level)",
+                    "$$description": "only affects ntuple inputs",
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/filters_setting"
                 },
                 "RegionPath": {
                     "description": "(part of) path to file containing region (override for nominal setting)",
@@ -420,6 +428,45 @@
                 }
             },
             "additionalProperties": false
+        },
+        "filters_setting": {
+            "title": "Filters setting",
+            "$$target": "#/definitions/filters_setting",
+            "description": "filter(s) to apply for histogram creation",
+            "oneOf": [
+                {
+                    "description": "single filter",
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/filter_setting"
+                },
+                {
+                    "description": "list of filters",
+                    "type": "array",
+                    "minItems": 1,
+                    "items": {
+                        "description": "single filter",
+                        "$ref": "#/definitions/filter_setting"
+                    },
+                    "uniqueItems": true
+                }
+            ]
+        },
+        "filter_setting": {
+            "title": "Filter setting",
+            "$$target": "#/definitions/filter_setting",
+            "description": "filter setting, filters with the same name override each other",
+            "type": "object",
+            "required": ["Name", "Filter"],
+            "properties": {
+                "Name": {
+                    "description": "name of filter (filters can be overridden by other filters with the same name)",
+                    "type": "string"
+                },
+                "Filter": {
+                    "description": "filter to apply",
+                    "type": "string"
+                }
+            },
+            "additionalProperties": false
         }
     },
     "additionalProperties": false
diff --git a/src/cabinetry/templates/__init__.py b/src/cabinetry/templates/__init__.py
index 034fc327..a5bba3a5 100644
--- a/src/cabinetry/templates/__init__.py
+++ b/src/cabinetry/templates/__init__.py
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ def build(
     # create an instance of the class doing the template building
     histogram_folder = pathlib.Path(config["General"]["HistogramFolder"])
     general_path = config["General"]["InputPath"]
-    template_builder = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, general_path, method)
+    general_filters = config["General"].get("Filters", {})
+    template_builder = builder._Builder(
+        histogram_folder, general_path, general_filters, method
+    )
 
     match_func: Optional[route.MatchFunc] = None
     if router is not None:
diff --git a/src/cabinetry/templates/builder.py b/src/cabinetry/templates/builder.py
index 3c848e7d..61abbf03 100644
--- a/src/cabinetry/templates/builder.py
+++ b/src/cabinetry/templates/builder.py
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ def _variable(
 
 
 def _filter(
+    general: Dict[str, Any],
     region: Dict[str, Any],
     sample: Dict[str, Any],
     systematic: Dict[str, Any],
@@ -148,6 +149,7 @@ def _filter(
     the sample-specific filter if both are provided.
 
     Args:
+        general (Dict[str, Any]): containing general configuration information
         region (Dict[str, Any]): containing all region information
         sample (Dict[str, Any]): containing all sample information
         systematic (Dict[str, Any]): containing all systematic information
@@ -157,21 +159,32 @@ def _filter(
     Returns:
         Optional[str]: expression for the filter to be used, or None for no filtering
     """
-    selection_filter = region.get("Filter", None)
+    selection_filters = {}
 
-    # check for sample-specific overrides
-    selection_filter_override = sample.get("Filter", None)
-    if selection_filter_override is not None:
-        selection_filter = selection_filter_override
+    # general options can set standard values for filter
+    for filter in configuration._setting_to_list(general.get("Filters", [])):
+        selection_filters.update({filter["Name"]: filter["Filter"]})
+
+    # regions can set default filters (general level not implemented yet)
+    for filter in configuration._setting_to_list(region.get("Filters", [])):
+        selection_filters.update({filter["Name"]: filter["Filter"]})
+
+    # samples can append to and override filters
+    for filter in configuration._setting_to_list(sample.get("Filters", [])):
+        selection_filters.update({filter["Name"]: filter["Filter"]})
 
     # check whether a systematic is being processed
     if template is not None:
-        # determine whether the template has an override specified
-        selection_filter_override = utils._check_for_override(
-            systematic, template, "Filter"
-        )
-        if selection_filter_override is not None:
-            selection_filter = selection_filter_override
+        # templates can append to and override filters
+        template_filters = systematic.get(template, {}).get("Filters", [])
+        for filter in configuration._setting_to_list(template_filters):
+            selection_filters.update({filter["Name"]: filter["Filter"]})
+
+    if selection_filters == {}:
+        return None
+
+    # combine all filters
+    selection_filter = " & ".join([f"({f})" for f in selection_filters.values()])
     return selection_filter
 
 
@@ -261,17 +274,23 @@ class _Builder:
     """Handles the instructions for backends to create histograms."""
 
     def __init__(
-        self, histogram_folder: pathlib.Path, general_path: str, method: str
+        self,
+        histogram_folder: pathlib.Path,
+        general_path: str,
+        general_filters: Dict[str, Any],
+        method: str,
     ) -> None:
         """Creates an instance, sets histogram folder, path template and method.
 
         Args:
             histogram_folder (pathlib.Path): folder to save the histograms to
             general_path (str): template for paths to input files for histogram building
+            general_filters (Dict[str, Any]): dictionary with general filters to apply
             method (str): backend to use for histogram production
         """
         self.histogram_folder = histogram_folder
         self.general_path = general_path
+        self.general_filters = general_filters
         self.method = method
 
     def _create_histogram(
@@ -303,7 +322,9 @@ def _create_histogram(
         variable = _variable(region, sample, systematic, template)
         bins = _binning(region)
         weight = _weight(region, sample, systematic, template)
-        selection_filter = _filter(region, sample, systematic, template)
+        selection_filter = _filter(
+            self.general_filters, region, sample, systematic, template
+        )
 
         # obtain the histogram
         if self.method == "uproot":
diff --git a/tests/templates/test_templates.py b/tests/templates/test_templates.py
index f7043fdb..7d4da7b6 100644
--- a/tests/templates/test_templates.py
+++ b/tests/templates/test_templates.py
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ def test_build(mock_builder, mock_apply):
     config = {"General": {"HistogramFolder": "path/", "InputPath": "file.root"}}
     method = "uproot"
 
-    # no router
+    # no router or filter
     templates.build(config, method=method)
     assert mock_builder.call_args_list == [
-        ((pathlib.Path("path/"), "file.root", method), {})
+        ((pathlib.Path("path/"), "file.root", {}, method), {})
     ]
     assert mock_apply.call_count == 1
     config_call, func_call = mock_apply.call_args[0]
@@ -22,9 +22,15 @@ def test_build(mock_builder, mock_apply):
     assert func_call._extract_mock_name() == "_Builder()._create_histogram"
     assert mock_apply.call_args[1] == {"match_func": None}
 
-    # including a router
+    # including a router and general filter
+    filter_dict = {"Name": "f", "Filter": "c"}
+    config["General"].update({"Filters": filter_dict})
     mock_router = mock.MagicMock()
     templates.build(config, method=method, router=mock_router)
+    assert mock_builder.call_args == (
+        (pathlib.Path("path/"), "file.root", filter_dict, method),
+        {},
+    )
 
     # verify wrapper was set
     assert (
diff --git a/tests/templates/test_templates_builder.py b/tests/templates/test_templates_builder.py
index 2c703590..beadf6b5 100644
--- a/tests/templates/test_templates_builder.py
+++ b/tests/templates/test_templates_builder.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import logging
 import pathlib
+from typing import Optional
 from unittest import mock
 
 import boost_histogram as bh
@@ -104,44 +105,93 @@ def test__variable():
 
 
 def test__filter():
-    # no override
-    assert builder._filter({"Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}, {}, {}, None) == "jet_pt > 0"
+    # no override, dict provided
+    assert (
+        builder._filter(
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}}, {}, {}, {}, None
+        )
+        == "(jet_pt > 0)"
+    )
+
+    # list of dictionaries without overrides
+    assert (
+        builder._filter(
+            {"Filters": [{"Name": "a", "Filter": "c1"}, {"Name": "b", "Filter": "c2"}]},
+            {},
+            {},
+            {},
+            None,
+        )
+        == "(c1) & (c2)"
+    )
 
     # no filter
-    assert builder._filter({}, {}, {}, None) is None
+    assert builder._filter({}, {}, {}, {}, None) is None
 
     # systematic with override
     assert (
         builder._filter(
-            {"Filter": "jet_pt > 0"},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}},
             {},
-            {"Name": "variation", "Up": {"Filter": "jet_pt > 100"}},
+            {},
+            {
+                "Name": "variation",
+                "Up": {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 100"}},
+            },
             "Up",
         )
-        == "jet_pt > 100"
+        == "(jet_pt > 100)"
     )
 
     # systematic without override
     assert (
-        builder._filter({"Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}, {}, {"Name": "variation"}, "Up")
-        == "jet_pt > 0"
+        builder._filter(
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}},
+            {},
+            {},
+            {"Name": "variation"},
+            "Up",
+        )
+        == "(jet_pt > 0)"
+    )
+
+    # sample-specific override for part of a region filter
+    assert (
+        builder._filter(
+            {},
+            {"Filters": [{"Name": "a", "Filter": "c1"}, {"Name": "b", "Filter": "c2"}]},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "b", "Filter": "c3"}},
+            {},
+            None,
+        )
+        == "(c1) & (c3)"
     )
 
-    # sample-specific override
+    # filter with region-, sample-, and systematic override
     assert (
-        builder._filter({"Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}, {"Filter": "jet_pt > 100"}, {}, None)
-        == "jet_pt > 100"
+        builder._filter(
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 0"}},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 100"}},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 200"}},
+            {
+                "Name": "variation",
+                "Up": {"Filters": {"Name": "f", "Filter": "jet_pt > 300"}},
+            },
+            "Up",
+        )
+        == "(jet_pt > 300)"
     )
 
-    # sample-specific override, again overridden by systematic
+    # filters at all levels combining
     assert (
         builder._filter(
-            {"Filter": "jet_pt > 0"},
-            {"Filter": "jet_pt > 100"},
-            {"Name": "variation", "Up": {"Filter": "jet_pt > 200"}},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "a", "Filter": "c1"}},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "b", "Filter": "c2"}},
+            {"Filters": {"Name": "c", "Filter": "c3"}},
+            {"Name": "variation", "Up": {"Filters": {"Name": "d", "Filter": "c4"}}},
             "Up",
         )
-        == "jet_pt > 200"
+        == "(c1) & (c2) & (c3) & (c4)"
     )
 
 
@@ -196,26 +246,31 @@ def test__binning():
 
 
 def test__Builder():
-    builder_instance = builder._Builder(pathlib.Path("path"), "file.root", "uproot")
+    builder_instance = builder._Builder(
+        pathlib.Path("path"), "file.root", {"Name": "f", "Filter": "c"}, "uproot"
+    )
     assert builder_instance.histogram_folder == pathlib.Path("path")
     assert builder_instance.general_path == "file.root"
+    assert builder_instance.general_filters == {"Name": "f", "Filter": "c"}
     assert builder_instance.method == "uproot"
 
 
 @mock.patch("cabinetry.templates.utils._name_and_save")
 @mock.patch("cabinetry.histo.Histogram", return_value="cabinetry_histogram")
 @mock.patch("cabinetry.contrib.histogram_creator.with_uproot", return_value="histogram")
+@mock.patch("cabinetry.templates.builder._filter", return_value="(x>3)")
 @mock.patch(
     "cabinetry.templates.builder._ntuple_paths",
     return_value=[pathlib.Path("path_to_ntuple")],
 )
 def test__Builder_create_histogram(
-    mock_path, mock_uproot_builder, mock_histo, mock_save
+    mock_path, mock_filter, mock_uproot_builder, mock_histo, mock_save
 ):
     histogram_folder = pathlib.Path("path")
     general_path = "{SamplePath}"
+    general_filters = {"Name": "f", "Filter": "c"}
     # the binning [0] is not a proper binning, but simplifies the comparison
-    region = {"Name": "test_region", "Variable": "x", "Binning": [0], "Filter": "x>3"}
+    region = {"Name": "test_region", "Variable": "x", "Binning": [0]}
     sample = {
         "Name": "sample",
         "Tree": "tree",
@@ -225,7 +280,9 @@ def test__Builder_create_histogram(
     systematic = {}
     template = "Up"
 
-    builder_instance = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, general_path, "uproot")
+    builder_instance = builder._Builder(
+        histogram_folder, general_path, general_filters, "uproot"
+    )
     builder_instance._create_histogram(region, sample, systematic, template)
 
     # call to path creation
@@ -233,11 +290,16 @@ def test__Builder_create_histogram(
         ((general_path, region, sample, systematic, template), {})
     ]
 
+    # filter creation
+    assert mock_filter.call_args_list == [
+        ((general_filters, region, sample, systematic, template), {})
+    ]
+
     # verify the backend call happened properly
     assert mock_uproot_builder.call_args_list == [
         (
             ([pathlib.Path("path_to_ntuple")], "tree", "x", [0]),
-            {"weight": "weight_mc", "selection_filter": "x>3"},
+            {"weight": "weight_mc", "selection_filter": "(x>3)"},
         )
     ]
 
@@ -260,7 +322,7 @@ def test__Builder_create_histogram(
     ]
 
     # other backends
-    builder_unknown = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, "{SamplePath}", "unknown")
+    builder_unknown = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, "{SamplePath}", {}, "unknown")
     with pytest.raises(NotImplementedError, match="unknown backend unknown"):
         builder_unknown._create_histogram(region, sample, systematic, template)
 
@@ -273,10 +335,10 @@ def test__Builder__wrap_custom_template_builder(mock_save):
     systematic = {}
     histogram_folder = pathlib.Path("path")
 
-    def test_func(reg, sam, sys, tem):
+    def test_func(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: Optional[str]):
         return histogram
 
-    builder_instance = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, "file.root", "uproot")
+    builder_instance = builder._Builder(histogram_folder, "file.root", {}, "uproot")
     wrapped_func = builder_instance._wrap_custom_template_builder(test_func)
 
     # check the behavior of the wrapped function
@@ -288,7 +350,7 @@ def test_func(reg, sam, sys, tem):
     ]
 
     # wrapped function returns wrong type
-    def test_func_wrong_return(reg, sam, sys, tem):
+    def test_func_wrong_return(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: Optional[str]):
         return None
 
     wrapped_func_wrong_return = builder_instance._wrap_custom_template_builder(
diff --git a/tests/test_configuration.py b/tests/test_configuration.py
index 98cb88a0..7bf6284e 100644
--- a/tests/test_configuration.py
+++ b/tests/test_configuration.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_validate():
             "HistogramFolder": "",
             "InputPath": "",
         },
-        "Regions": [{"Name": "", "Filter": "", "Variable": "", "Binning": [0, 1]}],
+        "Regions": [{"Name": "", "Variable": "", "Binning": [0, 1]}],
         "Samples": [{"Name": "", "Tree": "", "Data": True}],
         "NormFactors": [{"Name": ""}],
     }
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def test_validate():
             "HistogramFolder": "",
             "InputPath": "",
         },
-        "Regions": [{"Name": "", "Filter": "", "Variable": "", "Binning": [0, 1]}],
+        "Regions": [{"Name": "", "Variable": "", "Binning": [0, 1]}],
         "Samples": [{"Name": "", "Tree": ""}],
         "NormFactors": [{"Name": ""}],
     }
diff --git a/tests/test_route.py b/tests/test_route.py
index b1820953..7493ddf0 100644
--- a/tests/test_route.py
+++ b/tests/test_route.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import functools
 import logging
+from typing import Optional
 from unittest import mock
 
 import boost_histogram as bh
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ class ProcessorExamples:
     @staticmethod
     def get_example_template_builder():
         def example_template_builder(
-            reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: str
+            reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: Optional[str]
         ) -> bh.Histogram:
             hist = bh.Histogram(bh.axis.Variable([0, 1]), storage=bh.storage.Weight())
             yields = np.asarray([2])
@@ -224,7 +225,7 @@ def wrapper(reg, sam, sys, tem):
         # assert wrapped_builder == expected_wrap
 
         # compare instead the behavior for an example call
-        assert wrapped_builder({}, {}, {}, {}) == expected_wrap({}, {}, {}, {})
+        assert wrapped_builder({}, {}, {}, "") == expected_wrap({}, {}, {}, "")
 
 
 def test_apply_to_all_templates():
@@ -232,8 +233,8 @@ def test_apply_to_all_templates():
     # define a custom override function that logs its arguments when called
     override_call_args = []
 
-    def match_func(reg: str, sam: str, sys: str, tem: str):
-        def f(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: str):
+    def match_func(reg: str, sam: str, sys: str, tem: Optional[str]):
+        def f(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: Optional[str]):
             override_call_args.append((reg, sam, sys, tem))
 
         return f
@@ -255,23 +256,23 @@ def f(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: str):
     # check that the default function was called for all templates
     assert default_func.call_count == 3
     assert default_func.call_args_list[0] == (
-        ({"Name": "test_region"}, {"Name": "sample"}, {}, None),
+        (example_config["Regions"][0], example_config["Samples"][0], {}, None),
         {},
     )
     assert default_func.call_args_list[1] == (
         (
-            {"Name": "test_region"},
-            {"Name": "sample"},
-            {"Name": "var", "Type": "NormPlusShape"},
+            example_config["Regions"][0],
+            example_config["Samples"][0],
+            example_config["Systematics"][1],
             "Up",
         ),
         {},
     )
     assert default_func.call_args_list[2] == (
         (
-            {"Name": "test_region"},
-            {"Name": "sample"},
-            {"Name": "var", "Type": "NormPlusShape"},
+            example_config["Regions"][0],
+            example_config["Samples"][0],
+            example_config["Systematics"][1],
             "Down",
         ),
         {},
@@ -281,21 +282,21 @@ def f(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: str):
     route.apply_to_all_templates(example_config, default_func, match_func=match_func)
     assert len(override_call_args) == 3
     assert override_call_args[0] == (
-        {"Name": "test_region"},
-        {"Name": "sample"},
+        example_config["Regions"][0],
+        example_config["Samples"][0],
         {},
         None,
     )
     assert override_call_args[1] == (
-        {"Name": "test_region"},
-        {"Name": "sample"},
-        {"Name": "var", "Type": "NormPlusShape"},
+        example_config["Regions"][0],
+        example_config["Samples"][0],
+        example_config["Systematics"][1],
         "Up",
     )
     assert override_call_args[2] == (
-        {"Name": "test_region"},
-        {"Name": "sample"},
-        {"Name": "var", "Type": "NormPlusShape"},
+        example_config["Regions"][0],
+        example_config["Samples"][0],
+        example_config["Systematics"][1],
         "Down",
     )
 
@@ -307,4 +308,4 @@ def f(reg: dict, sam: dict, sys: dict, tem: str):
     route.apply_to_all_templates(example_config, default_func)
     # previously 3 calls of default_func, now one more for nominal template
     assert default_func.call_count == 4
-    assert default_func.call_args_list[3][0][3] is None
+    assert default_func.call_args_list[3][0][3] is None  # template is None