Overview

Template Authors have access to the same features as Document Authors, plus the tools needed to create and maintain document templates.

To use the Template Author features, you need the Admin - Document Assembly permission.

Before you start, familiarise yourself with how Clio Operate assembles documents (see Authoring documents using the Word add-in).

The Word add-in provides four sets of tools for Template Authors:

Linking templates

Before you can use the Template Author features, link your Word file to a Clio Operate template.

1. In the Word add-in, select Templates from the menu, or select Link template on the home page.
2. Find the relevant template in the searchable list.
3. Select the Link icon next to the template.

Once linked:

• The add-in menu displays the full Template Author options.
• Select Open in Clio Operate to view the template record in Document Admin.
• Select Unlink to remove the link.

Data tags

Adding a tag replaces a placeholder in the template with data from Clio Operate at assembly time.

1. Select Tag Browser from the add-in menu.
2. Expand the tree to find the tag you need.
3. Select the + button next to the tag.
4. Optionally select a display rule.

The tag inserts at the cursor as a Word content control.

To return to a higher level of the tree, use the breadcrumb at the top of the Tag Browser, or select the home icon to return to the top.

Working with list tags

When you add a tag that returns a list, the add-in displays a dialog with two layout options.

• Content control inserts a single repeating content control. The control returns one entry per item in the list. Select inside the control to filter the Tag Browser to the list item, then choose the property you want to display, for example a participant's name.
• Table inserts a table that repeats one row per list item. Select inside a cell to filter the Tag Browser, then insert the property into the cell. The table is a standard Word table and can be formatted, with columns added or removed, as usual.

Formatting date and decimal tags

Date and decimal tags accept format options.

1. In the Tag Browser, find the tag.
2. Select the > icon to open the formatting blade. The formatting options depend on the tag's data type.
3. Select ? to view the available format strings.
4. Select Resolve to apply the format.

For example, prefixing a decimal with £ produces a value such as £100.00.

Working with signature images

Due to limitations with Word add-in support, the process for embedded images is slightly more complex.

1. Place the cursor where you want the signature to appear.
2. Select the ‘Developer’ tab in Word (if not enabled, navigate to File -> Options -> Customise Ribbons. Tick on the Developer checkbox to enable the tab).
3. Choose the ‘image’ button.
   
4. Browse to the relevant image tag in the tag browser.
   For example, to display the Signature of the Matter Owner, navigate to Participant Roles -> Matter Owner -> ODS -> User -> Signature Image.
5. Press the copy icon on the “Content - Byte Array” tag.
   
6. Highlight the new image control added a moment earlier and select Properties from the Developer tab.
   
7. And paste this into the tag property of your image control.
   

Use the Developer tab only for signature images. Always keep Design Mode turned off.

Display rules

A display rule is an expression that evaluates to true or false. The add-in applies the result to tags, sections, and Content Blocks during assembly.

To create a display rule:

1. Select Display Rules from the add-in menu.
2. Select Create.
3. Enter a descriptive Name.
4. Enter the rule in the expression box.
   

Tips for writing expressions:

• Enclose strings in single quotes, for example, 'Scotland'.
• The editor warns of syntax errors at the foot of the form.
• Supported operators: +, =, <>, >, >=, <, <=, And, Or.
• Drag tags from the Tag Browser into the expression to avoid typing.

To apply a rule to a tag, section, or Content Block, select it in the relevant insert dialogue.

Sections

A section groups content so that a single display rule controls whether the whole group appears.

To create a section:

1. Select the content in Word.
2. In the add-in, navigate to Sections and select Create.
3. Optionally select a display rule.

The selected content is wrapped in a content control. Its display rule evaluates during assembly.

Content Blocks

The add-in lets you browse, insert, and create Content Blocks for use in your templates. Content Blocks are a central library of reusable content shared across templates.

For the full workflow for Template Authors, including how to create Word Content Blocks, the difference between Insert and Insert Tag, and how to add tags inside a block, see Working with Content Blocks in the Word add-in.

Settings

The Settings panel exposes a few tools used mainly by administrators.

• Environment displays the current environment. Select Disconnect to switch between Test and Production.
• Diagnostics turns on activity logging in the add-in. Select Open the log to view the log. Filter by type and date range. Delete or refresh the log with the icons at the top right.
• Expert Mode displays the Advanced blade.

Advanced

Advanced tags let you insert tags that are not yet exposed in the Tag Browser, including legacy data tags and Document Content Block tags.

1. Select the tag type.
2. Enter a system name and select or create a display rule.
3. Select Add.

Content Blocks added this way appear in the Document Browser but not in the Content Blocks blade.

Repair Document attempts to fix a document whose metadata has been corrupted. The add-in clears the tags and reinserts them. Use only when the document cannot otherwise be read by the add-in.

Related articles

• Working with Content Blocks in the Word add-in
• Authoring documents using the Word add-in
• Clio Operate Word Add-in Overview
• Word Add-in - System Administrators Guide
• Hiding bounding boxes in the Word Add-in