Getting started

Every AutomaDoc document starts from a template: a Word, Excel or PowerPoint file with placeholders where your data goes. This page walks you through your first one, whichever platform your data is on.

Step 1: Choose your platform

Start AutomaDoc where your data lives:

• Excel (Microsoft 365): install the AutomaDoc add-in in Excel and open it from the Home tab. See AutomaDoc for Microsoft 365.
• Google Sheets (Google Workspace): install the AutomaDoc add-on and open it from Extensions → AutomaDoc. See AutomaDoc for Google Workspace.
• Lark Base: install AutomaDoc in Lark, then open it from the Extensions button of your Base.
• Your own systems: use the document API.

Choose your platform says what each one needs.

Step 2: Prepare your template

1. Open Microsoft Word. (Other editors may work but are not officially supported.)
2. Create your document with static content.
3. Add placeholders where you want dynamic data, using {Field_Name} syntax: the name of a column or field, or a key of the JSON you send.

Save it as .docx. An Excel (.xlsx) or PowerPoint (.pptx) file works too; see Excel and PowerPoint templates. Use a descriptive filename like Invoice Template.docx, and keep the file under 25 MB.

Tip

Would rather not write it by hand? The Word add-in inserts your column names for you and checks the template before you upload it, and the template designer builds a Word template from blocks in your browser.

Step 3: Upload it

• In Excel or Google Sheets: in the AutomaDoc pane, create a template for your table or tab and upload the file.
• In Lark Base: click New Template in the template picker at the top of the extension. AutomaDoc creates the template, named after your table, and opens the Template tab, where you upload the file and click Save Settings.
• For the document API: upload it to a template of your account, then copy its template ID. See API-only accounts.

Step 4: Generate

• In Excel or Google Sheets: select rows and click Generate. You get one document per row.
• In Lark Base: select records and generate; see Generating documents.
• Through the API: send your data as JSON; see the document API.

Free trial

Want to try Pro features? Start a 14-day free trial to unlock:

• Up to 10 templates (instead of 2)
• Unlimited generations, with no rate limit and no 30-second delay
• Saving documents back to your data
• Automation via webhooks

Click Start Free Trial in the banner of the Company Portal (or of the Lark Base extension) while you are on the Free plan, or on the portal’s Pricing page.

What’s next?

• Learn about template syntax: variables, loops, and conditions
• Explore paid features like saving documents back and automation, and plans, seats and packs