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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.

Link to DocsAutomator app page on Zapier.com

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: Document Previews

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.

Set 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.

Create Document Action in Zapier

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

DocsAutomator app in Zapier - Step 1

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.

DocsAutomator App in Zapier - Step 2: Add your API key

6. Select automation

Now it's time to select the automation you want to use from your DocsAutomator account:

DocsAutomator App in Zapier - Step 3: Select Automation

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.

DocsAutomator App in Zapier - Step 3: Map Data

8. Test generating documents

After mapping all your data, it's time to test. As said before, use Document Previews 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

DocsAutomator App in Zapier - Step 3: Map Data

Here is an example of comma-separated data prepared with Line Itemizer:

The output of this action can then be mapped to line items in DocsAutomator's action:

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