Create PDFs from a Template

Generates a PDF document for each row in an Excel file by merging data into a .docx template.

Overview

This procedure fills placeholders in a Word document (.docx) template with data from an Excel (.xlsx) file. One output document is generated per row in the spreadsheet. Placeholders in the template are marked by a pair of characters (default is "{}") and must match the column headers in the Excel file.

Syntax

Below is a line-by-line overview of the automation syntax. Expand each line to learn more.

the template is

What does it do? Specifies the path to the Word document template (.docx).

Where does it go? This phrase should be written on a new line.

Is it required? ✅ Yes — This phrase is required in the syntax.

Does it require input data? ✅ Yes — A Text value should be specified.

Example: the template is "path/to/template.docx"

the data file is

What does it do? Specifies the path to the Excel file containing the data (.xlsx).

Where does it go? This phrase should be written on a new line.

Is it required? ✅ Yes — This phrase is required in the syntax.

Does it require input data? ✅ Yes — A Text value should be specified.

Example: the data file is "path/to/data.xlsx"

the template marker is

What does it do? Defines the two-character marker used to identify placeholders in the template. For example, if the marker is "<>", then a placeholder would look like "". The default is "{}". The marker must be exactly two characters.

Where does it go? This phrase should be written on a new line.

Is it required? 🌟 No — This phrase is optional in the syntax.

Does it require input data? ✅ Yes — A Text value should be specified.

Example: the template marker is "<>"

create pdfs from the template where

What does it do? Starts the PDF generation using the provided template and Excel data.

Where does it go? This phrase should be written on a new line.

Is it required? ✅ Yes — This phrase is required in the syntax.

Does it require input data? ⛔ No — This phrase does not require input data.

the excel is the data file

What does it do? Specifies the Excel file to use for the data source.

Where does it go? This phrase should be indented beneath create pdfs from the template where.

Is it required? ✅ Yes — This phrase is required in the syntax.

Does it require input data? ⛔ No — This phrase does not require input data.

Examples

1. Create a PDF From the Template

the template is "path/to/template.docx"
the data file is "path/to/data.xlsx"
the template marker is "<>"
create pdfs from the template where
    the excel is the data file