How-To:PDF Template: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:07, 5 November 2024

ContactsLaw offers a robust, user-friendly system for document creation that leverages advanced templating functions to enhance efficiency and accuracy in legal document generation. Through this system, users can design and configure custom templates to minimise repetitive data entry, streamline document production, and maintain consistency across files..

To begin using the system, consult the Create Template guide for a complete introduction to template creation.

1. Getting Started

Open the New Template window (see the Create Template guide for details).

Click “Upload” and choose the PDF file that will serve as your template.

2. Specify Options

After uploading, input a descriptive name for the template. If you want to categorise it, add or select an appropriate category name.

Go to the Content menu and click "Refresh." Note that if your PDF originates from a third-party source with existing fields, you may see irrelevant field names. This occurs when third-party fields lack specific identifiers, making it crucial to rename them appropriately for optimal functionality.

To have the best templating experience you need to give the fields within the PDF template meaningful names. Start by clicking Edit to open the PDF file.

3. Prepare PDF Form Content

We recommend using Adobe Acrobat for editing. In Adobe Acrobat, access the "Prepare a Form" tool to add or modify fields, assigning each field a clear, descriptive name that will appear in ContactsLaw's template editor. This step ensures that fields are easily identifiable and functionally mapped within the template.

Once field naming is complete, save the PDF and return to ContactsLaw, selecting "Check In" in the Edit Template window. In the Content window, click "Refresh" to display the newly added fields.
Click the "Refresh" button in the "Content" window. Your newly generated/named fields will then appear.

4. Specify Assets

Navigate to the Assets section and add any data sources, or “assets,” needed to populate the template’s content fields. Use the “Browse” option to select assets and attributes relevant to each field.

Proceed to map the content fields in the document (referring to the Assets selected). The easiest way to do this is to click the “Browse” which will then give you the list of assets and different attributes that can be drawn on.
For each content field, link an asset and specify any required formatting. Refer to the Document Template guide for further details on content field options and formatting capabilities

5. Final Steps

Test your template by selecting "Test Template." This feature uses generic data to populate the fields, allowing you to preview the document and verify accuracy.
Should any issues arise, you can make adjustments within the Content menu to refine field mappings and settings.
Lastly, the template must undergo Configuration to finalise it for use.

This structured approach to creating templates within ContactsLaw ensures that each document is tailored to meet specific requirements, reducing errors and enhancing productivity in legal documentation.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[ContactsLaw]] provides a comprehensive document creation system. It's templating functions allow the creation and sharing of powerful templates to reduce data entry and streamline document creation. Users can build and configure their own templates within the system.
+[[ContactsLaw]] offers a robust, user-friendly system for document creation that leverages advanced templating functions to enhance efficiency and accuracy in legal document generation. Through this system, users can design and configure custom templates to minimise repetitive data entry, streamline document production, and maintain consistency across files..
-For a general overview of creating a template, review the [[How-To:Create Template|Create Template]] guide.
+To begin using the system, consult the [[How-To:Create Template|Create Template]] guide for a complete introduction to template creation.
 == 1. Getting Started ==
-* Open the New Template window (see the [[How-To:Create Template|Create Template]] guide).
+* Open the New Template window (see the [[How-To:Create Template|Create Template]] guide for details).
-* Click “''Upload''” and choose the PDF file you want to use as a template.[[File:Step 3 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* Click “''Upload''” and choose the PDF file that will serve as your template.[[File:Step 3 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
 == 2. Specify Options ==
-* After uploading the PDF, enter the name of the template in the description section. If you wish to group the template by a category, enter or select a category name.[[File:Step 4 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* After uploading, input a descriptive name for the template. If you want to categorise it, add or select an appropriate category name.[[File:Step 4 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
-* Navigate to the ''Content'' menu and click ''refresh''. If your PDF file was sourced from a third party and has editable fields, you will likely find numerous meaningless content names appear. This is because the third party has not named the various form fields.[[File:Step 8 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* Go to the ''Content'' menu and click "Refresh." Note that if your PDF originates from a third-party source with existing fields, you may see irrelevant field names. This occurs when third-party fields lack specific identifiers, making it crucial to rename them appropriately for optimal functionality.[[File:Step 8 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
-* To have the best templating experience you need to give the fields within the PDF template meaningful names. Start by clicking Edit to open the PDF file.[[File:Step 5 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* To have the best templating experience you need to give the fields within the PDF template meaningful names. Start by clicking ''Edit'' to open the PDF file.[[File:Step 5 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
 == 3. Prepare PDF Form Content ==
-* We recommend using Adobe Acrobat to edit the PDF file. Within Adobe Acrobat, open the field editor or use the "Prepare a Form" function to generate fields. You should give the fields meaningful names as these will be the names that appear in the content section of the [[ContactsLaw]] template editor.
+* We recommend using '''Adobe Acrobat''' for editing. In Adobe Acrobat, access the "''Prepare a Form''" tool to add or modify fields, assigning each field a clear, descriptive name that will appear in ContactsLaw's template editor. This step ensures that fields are easily identifiable and functionally mapped within the template.
 [[File:Step 6.1 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px|[[File:Step 6.2 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]]]
-* Once you have finished generating and naming the fields in Adobe Acrobat, save the document and click "Check In" in the ContactsLaw "Edit Template" window.  [[File:Step 7 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* Once field naming is complete, save the PDF and return to ContactsLaw, selecting "''Check In''" in the '''Edit Template''' window. In the '''Content''' window, click "Refresh" to display the newly added fields.  [[File:Step 7 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
 * Click the "'''Refresh"''' button in the "Content" window. Your newly generated/named fields will then appear.[[File:PDF Template - Refresh.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
 == 4. Specify Assets ==
-* Next proceed to the “Assets” and add the assets that you are going to draw upon to populate the Content fields.[[File:Step 9 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* Navigate to the '''Assets''' section and add any data sources, or “assets,” needed to populate the template’s content fields. Use the “Browse” option to select assets and attributes relevant to each field.[[File:Step 9 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
 *Proceed to map the content fields in the document (referring to the Assets selected). The easiest way to do this is to click the “'''Browse'''” which will then give you the list of assets and different attributes that can be drawn on.[[File:Step 10 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px|[[File:Step 10.1 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]]]
-*Select the asset/attributes for each content field. You can also apply formatting. See [[Document Template]] for an explanation as to content fields and formatting). [[File:Step 11 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px|[[File:Step 11.1 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]]]
+*For each content field, link an asset and specify any required formatting. Refer to the [[Document Template]] guide for further details on content field options and formatting capabilities [[File:Step 11 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px|[[File:Step 11.1 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]]]
 == 5. Final Steps ==
-* You can test your template at any time by clicking "Test Template" which will use generic information to populate your template fields.[[File:Step 14 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+* Test your template by selecting "Test Template." This feature uses generic data to populate the fields, allowing you to preview the document and verify accuracy.[[File:Step 14 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
-*To correct any faults or issues with the template, you can return to the "Content" menu to alter the mappings.  [[File:Step 15 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]
+*Should any issues arise, you can make adjustments within the '''Content''' menu to refine field mappings and settings.
-*The template will then need to be '''[[Configuring a Template|Configured]]'''.
+*Lastly, the template must undergo '''[[Configuring a Template|Configuration]]'''  to finalise it for use.  [[File:Step 15 - PDF Template.png|none|thumb|500x500px]]This structured approach to creating templates within ContactsLaw ensures that each document is tailored to meet specific requirements, reducing errors and enhancing productivity in legal documentation.