The following is a typical start-to-finish workflow you might follow when automating your templates:
1. | Identify the document you want to automate. This is typically a document that includes all the possible text you want included in the generated document for the client or matter. | |
2. | Identify where custom information should be merged in the document. You might consider just highlighting the text or enclosing it in square brackets. | |
3. | Create the template file from your document. Note: When you create the template file, you will be prompted to assign it to an app. To learn more about apps, see Creating Builder 'Apps' to Use When Generating Documents. | Creating a New Builder Template Getting to Know the Builder Ribbon and Word Designer for Builder Editing a Builder Template File |
4. | Open the Online Workspace. | Accessing the Builder Online Workspace |
5. | While reviewing the template for text you want to replace with variables, either find existing variables in the variables list or create new variables. (You'll insert them in the template in the next step.) Note: Templates are always associated with specific catalogs, and as long as that catalog is based on matter type in Actionstep, it will automatically have access to all the matter's merge fields/variables. See Understanding How Actionstep Data is Used in Builder to learn about the relationship between Actionstep and Builder. Tip: You can also create variables while in the Word Designer, but you may find it’s easier to work in the Online Workspace because it provides a more holistic view of your system. | |
6. | Insert your variable fields in the template.
| Creating Builder Variables Getting to Know Builder Variable Types Using If and List Instructions |
7. | Review how variables are organized for presentation in the form users will complete to generate a document:
NOTE: Remember, the Layouts tab may list many variables, but only those used in the template will be asked in the interview. | Changing the Look of a Builder Interview |
8. | When your template is automated, assign it to an app. You may have done this when you first created the template, but this is a good time to review that assignment and make adjustments, if needed. | Creating Builder 'Apps' to Use When Generating Documents |
9. | Test assemble the document to make sure the interview looks and functions correctly and the answers are merged correctly in the completed document. NOTE: When you're testing the template in Builder, none of the information you enter will be saved to Actionstep. Only when you generate a document from the matter itself will data be exchanged with Actionstep. | Test Generating a Document in Builder |
10. | Add the automated template to the matter type. | Associating Builder Templates with a Matter Type (Admin) |
11. | Generate a custom document. | Generating a Completed Actionstep Builder Document |
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article