Creating Templates
Learn how to build custom contract templates with variables for reuse across your organization.
Create custom templates from existing contracts or from scratch. Templates save time and ensure consistency across your contracts.
Creating a New Template
From Scratch
- Go to Templates page
- Click New Template
- Select Blank Template
- Enter template details:
- Name
- Contract type
- Description
- Add content with variables
- Click Save Template
From Existing Contract
Turn a well-structured contract into a template:
- Open the contract detail page
- Click Actions > Create Template
- Review extracted content
- Replace specific values with variables
- Save as new template
Creating templates from actual contracts ensures real-world applicability. Just remember to replace all specific names, dates, and values with variables.
Using Variables
Variables are placeholders that get filled when creating drafts.
Variable Syntax
Use double curly braces: {{variable_name}}
Examples:
{{party_name}}- Company name{{effective_date}}- Start date{{contract_value}}- Dollar amount{{term_length}}- Duration
Variable Naming
Best practices for variable names:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
{{customer_name}} | {{x}} |
{{payment_terms_days}} | {{pt}} |
{{renewal_notice_period}} | {{notice}} |
Variable Types
Variables can represent different types of content:
- Text - Names, descriptions
- Dates - Effective date, expiration
- Numbers - Values, quantities
- Options - Choose from predefined values
Template Content
Sections
Organize content into clear sections:
- Parties
- Recitals
- Definitions
- Terms and Conditions
- Signatures
Formatting
Templates support:
- Headings and subheadings
- Numbered lists
- Bullet points
- Tables
- Bold and italic text
Template Metadata
Complete the metadata for better organization:
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Name | Searchable template title |
| Contract Type | Categorization (NDA, MSA, etc.) |
| Description | What this template is for |
| Tags | Additional categorization |
| Version | Track template iterations |
Versioning Templates
Track changes over time:
- Open template for editing
- Make changes
- Save creates a new version
- Previous versions are preserved
- Drafts reference the version used
Template versioning ensures drafts maintain their original template content even if the template is later updated.
Template Permissions
Control who can use and edit templates:
- View - All workspace members
- Create - Members and above
- Edit/Delete - Admins only
Testing Templates
Before publishing:
- Create a test draft from the template
- Verify all variables work correctly
- Check formatting in exported PDF
- Have a colleague review
Template Best Practices
- Use clear variable names that are self-explanatory
- Include all standard sections for the contract type
- Add comments for complex sections
- Test thoroughly before sharing
- Version regularly as terms evolve