Zapier
Connect DocsAutomator to 7000+ apps with Zapier, one of the leading workflow automation tools
Overview
Zapier is a powerful tool that let's you automate complex workflows without writing a single line of code. Every one of those workflows is called a "Zap" and consists of a trigger (which is starting the Zap) and one or many actions.
With the DocsAutomator app inside of Zapier, you can start creating documents anywhere in your Zaps and with data from any of the 7000+ apps inside of Zapier. It also allows you to store the generated PDF wherever you store your files or, as an example, send it via email after generation.
The DocsAutomator app in Zapier supports all of DocsAutomator's features
Step by step guide
This guide assumes you already have a Zapier account. If you don't, please head over to https://zapier.com/ and create your account first.
While you're testing, enable DocsAutomator' Preview Mode to make sure your documents are perfect before going live. Learn more: Preview Mode
1. Create automation
The first step is to create a new automation in your DocsAutomator account.
2. Select Zapier as your data source
Please select Zapier as your data source.
3. Select your Google Doc template
Every automation in DocsAutomator needs a Google Doc template to create documents from. Please visit our Google Doc Template Guidefor all the options on how to get started. If you just want to test DocsAutomator, a good starting point is the Playground Template, which you can add in your automation.
4. In Zapier, add the DocsAutomator "Create Document" action
In a new or one of your existing Zaps, add the DocsAutomator Create Document action.
If you don't know where to start, have a look at the exemplary Zapier Templates (pre-made Zaps) on the DocsAutomator app page: https://zapier.com/apps/docsautomator/integrations
5. Add DocsAutomator account
In the second step, under "Account", you are asked to add your DocsAutomator API key. You find this key under settings in your account. This authorizes your account in Zapier and loads all your existing automations.
6. Select automation
Now it's time to select the automation you want to use from your DocsAutomator account:
You are able to select automations with data source API, Airtable and ClickUp. For API automations, you map data inside of Zapier. For Airtable and ClickUp, you pass a Record / Task ID to trigger document automation. In this example, we continue to focus on API as the data source.
7. Map data
Once you've picked your automation with data source API, more fields will show up. The first field is "Document Name", which let's you define how generated documents shall be called.
After "Document Name", all the variables from your selected Google Doc Template will appear. Simply map these placeholders to data from previous steps in your Zap or set custom, static values.
8. Test generating documents
After mapping all your data, it's time to test. As said before, use Preview Mode while testing to not use any credits. This will generate PDFs with watermarks, but you can see whether they are generated correctly.
Working with line items
Adding line items / lists of data makes your documents truly powerful. Think of line items as positions on invoices and and generally lists of data to be added in table rows. If you are not familiar with line items yet, please learn about the syntax in templates here: Google Doc Template Guide
Line items mapping in Zapier
After all regular text / image placeholders, you will find line item placeholders (if you declared any in your template; otherwise skip to the next point).
To learn more about working with line items in Zapier, we recommend reading the following article: https://zapier.com/blog/formatter-line-item-automation/
DocsAutomator expects a list of data for line item rows, for instance generated with the Formatter feature "Line Itemizer": https://community.zapier.com/featured-articles-65/formatter-features-line-itemizer-overview-11844
The output of this action can then be mapped to line items in DocsAutomator's action:
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