Document Templates
Designer > Presentation > Print Templates
Print templates are powerful tools, allowing you to set up documents that pull information from a specific object and merge into an HTML or JSP page. Print templates are loaded into the platform and can be used to set up standard proposals, queries, contracts, invoices, etc., and generate PDF documents unique to specific records - any document that you can dream up.
Examples
- Create an Expense Report to be used in expense management application
- Print an Employee Benefit Form
Note: Print templates are created outside of the platform, using an HTML editor. Once created, they can be downloaded, edited, and uploaded again.
How it Works
The Print Templates feature lets you generate graphical mail-merge-style PDF documents using variables and HTML. You can use these templates to create prefilled forms, invoices, contracts, and other types of documents using data stored in your application. The platform uses the Apache Velocity templating engine to create powerful dynamic documents. (See http://velocity.apache.org for more information.)
- Before you add a print template, you first create an HTML document (on your local file system) or JSP Page (in the platform) that includes all of the text, images, logic, etc. that you want to include in your template.
- While creating this document, you should make note of the fields you want to add to the document. (See HTML Resources for more information.)
- Use the Template Variables section to get the field names you need to customize the HTML file.
Some features to consider when building print templates:
- CSS styles can be embedded into the HTML file, giving you a high degree of control of the final output of the file.
- Images can be placed into your document server and accessed by the template via Web access.
- Using the Velocity scripting language, you can build logic directly into the template to change the content based on specific customer parameters.
Add a Print Template
Edit a Print Template
- Click Designer > Data > Objects > {object} > Print Templates
- Click the Download link on the template you want to copy to your local system.
- Make changes to the template.
- If you need additional variable names, click the [New Template] button to access the Template Variable Tool:
- If the New Template window is open, click [Cancel] to close it and go back to the Templates (record list) view.
- Click the Replace link on the template to upload the modified template.
Warning: Be sure to click the right link. The existing template page will be replaced by the new one.
Use the Template
- To use the template, open a record in the object. A set of buttons will be displayed with the record.
- Click the [Print] button to print the record using the Print Template
See Also
Sample print templates are available for use and customization.
[[Category:Template:Features]]