What is a custom word template?
A custom word template is a dynamic reporting option which allows you to export your captured form data and push it to a Word template of your own design.
Can I download a starting template?
Yes you can! To download a starting template (which will contain all of your fieldkeys from your form) click on the "Reporting" button from the builder and then click on the "Custom" tab. Then click on "Generate and Download" to generate a Word report which you can then edit, stylize, and re-upload.
Adding Fields
Adding fields to your custom Word template is simple. All you need to do is get your field's fieldkey and put it in your custom Word template surrounded by dollar signs.
In the example below, we have Inspector Name, Inspector Phone Number and Client Name in the custom Word template. When the form is submitted, data from the form will replace the fieldkeys.
After saving the Word document, upload it to the custom tab in "Reporting," and then save and publish the form. Here is what the Word report looks like after submitting:
Stylizing: It is important to note, that fonts, colors, font size etc. will be mimicked in your reports. If you put your $fieldkey$ as Helvetica with a blue color, it will mimic those on the report. HOWEVER, it cannot use custom fonts. It is limited to generic Word fonts.
Repeating Sections
For repeating sections you are going to use a table. You will only need to create the first row. Once you have added the table, right-click on it and select "table properties". In the alt text tab, you will want to in the title cell put the fieldkey of the section that is repeating. Save. Then for each cell, you will want to put the fieldkey in the field that you want to add, surrounded by dollar signs.(If you would like to create a header row that does not repeat please see Header Rows section). Repeating Sections do not require a prefix
Subforms
For subforms, you will need to use a table. It is set up the exact same as a repeating section, except that your fieldkeys in the cell will need a prefix. Once you have added the table, right-click on it and select "table properties". In the Alt Text tab, you will want to enter the fieldkey of your subform field in the Title cell. Save. The prefix will be the subform fieldkey. For example, if your subform fieldkey is "subform_1" and your field fieldkey is "date_2" you would put this in the cell "$subform_1_date_2$" notice the subform fieldkey is the prefix and it is separating the fieldkey by an underscore. (If you would like to create a header row that does not repeat please see Header Rows section below.)
Subform Columns
If you want to use a column format for your subforms, you can do that by setting it up like the picture below. I recommend using the first row as a blank space so there is some separation between the instances.
This is what it looks like on the report with 2 subform instances
Header Rows
If you want to have a header row in the same table as your data you can by specifying header_row in the description of the table properties.
After uploading and saving this to your form you will now be able to submit a form with a header row that does not repeat in the table. This will give you a fixed row with headers for each column in your table.
Photos and Signatures
For photos and signatures, you will want to use a one-celled table. All photos will be put inside that cell. If you want multiple photos per row, make sure you specify the amount in the advanced report settings for that multiphoto field.
Advanced Report Setting: I set it to 4 photos per row (Screenshot below)
Custom Word Template: Single-Celled table with the field fieldkey surrounded by dollar ($) signs (Screenshot below)
Word report output: (Screenshot below)
Dynamic Checkboxes
Dynamic checkboxes are covered in detail in a separate article that you can find here
If you have any questions or issues please feel free to reach out to our support team at fastfieldsupport@mergemobile.com