Creating a New Text Template File

A text template A template that is created and automated in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. It is distinguished from a form template by the fact that the underlying text of the template can be modified. (See also text document.) is a word processor file that contains text as well as HotDocs component A template resource file that displays or stores information about the user input/answers to merge in the final document. Examples of components include variables, dialogs, dialog elements, merge text groups, and formats.s, such as variable A component that is used to represent changeable text (such as names, dates, numbers, etc.) in the template. Types of variables include Text, Date, Number, True/False, Multiple Choice, Computation, and Personal Information.s, dialog In template development, represents the component in which the developer groups variables and other components. In document assembly, represents the group of questions in the Interview tab of the assembly window where users enter their answers.s, instruction A command in a script or template that performs a special task, such as inserting a template or asking a dialog at a specific place in the interview.s, script One or more instructions and/or expressions that generate a value or execute some kind of procedure.s, and formats. The first step in automating a HotDocs text template is to create a new template file that contains your document text.

Do not create your templates in the tutorial library that installs with HotDocs. If you ever reinstall HotDocs, the library will be overwritten and you will have to add your templates to the library again. Instead, create a new library for your templates.

To create a new text template

1. At the HotDocs template library, click the folder in which you want the template.
2. Click New Template.
3. Select the type of text template you want to create from the Type drop-down list. Depending on which word processors are installed on your computer, your options include Word DOCX Template (.docx), Word RTF Template (.rtf), Word Document Template (.dot), and WordPerfect Template (.wpt).

4. In the File name field type a file name for the new template. If you decide to store the template somewhere other than the default template folder (as seen in the Target folder field), you can also Browse to the new destination. HotDocs adds the correct extension to the file name based on the type of text template you selected. HotDocs displays the full path of the currently selected template location in the Target folder field.

Do not type a template name that includes a pound sign (#). This can cause errors when uploading.

You can check the default Templates location at the HotDocs Options window.

5. Type a title for the template in the Title field (or accept the suggestion HotDocs makes). The title is what identifies the file in the library.
6. Optionally, enter a description in the Description field. Descriptions appear in the Properties tab of the library when the user selects the template.
7. To add an existing component file to the new template, you can select a component from the Shared component file drop-down list. If you do so, the component file  you choose is now shared between the new template and any other templates using that component file.
8. Select the contents for the new template by choosing from the following options:
   • Empty: HotDocs creates a new, empty template. Once HotDocs creates the template, you can add text, variables, and other template components.
   • Current open file: HotDocs copies the current, open word processor file into the new template. You must have a word processor file open before you select this option.
   • Other file: HotDocs creates a new template based on the contents of an existing template or document. The text field shows the folder path and file name of the file whose contents you want to copy into the new template. Either type in the full path or click the Browse button to locate and select the template or document whose contents provides the basis of the template you are creating. If you select an existing template here, HotDocs disables the Shared Component file option as the new template shares the same component file as the source template.
9. Click OK at the New Template window. HotDocs opens your selected word processor and displays the template. You can use the HotDocs editing toolbar to begin automating the template.

If you are using Microsoft Word to develop your templates, we recommend that you create DOCX templates. HotDocs doesn't have to convert DOCX templates so they assemble much faster than RTF templates and are less likely to encounter errors.

When you create a new, empty Word template, HotDocs applies whatever styles are in HotDocs.dot to the new template. When you create a new template based on another template or document, HotDocs applies the styles used in that template or document to the new template.

You can include command-line options (in the File name field) that allow you to specialize the assembly process for a given template.

If you have multiple word processors installed, you can have HotDocs always suggest a specific template type when you create a new template.

If you need to use your template with earlier versions of HotDocs, you must specify which version at Component File Properties.