Overview
Auto-Template features are the easiest and fastest way to convert existing MyCase Word templates into Advanced templates. It is also a great solution if you have markups in your Word documents and want to convert them into Advanced Templates.
Using the Auto-template Feature
To start using the Auto-template feature of Advanced Document Automation, follow these instructions:
Open up a document and launch the add-in in Microsoft Word.
On the add-in dashboard, click Build a New Template.
Click Auto Scan for Potential Fields button. Note: this option is only available if you DO NOT have any existing add-in fields in your document
You’ll be presented with a list of field suggestions in your document.
You should be able to see where the suggested fields will be placed in the document before accepting them. The number next to the suggested field name shows how many types of the suggested field name appear in the document. Auto-template will show you how many instances you have for the suggested field.
Click the arrow next to the Abc icon to change the field type (Auto-template supports Single line text, Rich text, Date, and Number fields. Any other field types can be created manually after completing the auto-template process.
Click the trash can icon to reject a suggestion.
Select Create these fields to convert your document into a template.
Tips & tricks
Converting Existing MyCase Templates
The auto-template feature names your fields automatically with the markup, and you can easily edit these if you click on the field name:
Custom fields will be assigned a number, e.g., ###{{case|776462}}, and auto-template will name the fields accordingly. You can always access your Field's key from MyCase: Documents > Word Templates > View Merge Fields and edit the fields' names in your template.
Converting Other Word documents
If you want Auto-template to analyze an existing template, make sure that brackets like this surround the placeholders: [Client Name] or <Client Name> instead of this: Client Name
Among many other things, Auto-template will identify all words & phrases that are bracketed, so surrounding text with brackets will help ensure that all of your fields are identified.
Auto-template can also identify highlighted words and phrases, so if you haven't surrounded placeholders with brackets, highlights will work just as well!
Avoid documents where the placeholders are simple blank lines, and, if possible, use a document that has been previously prepared for a recipient and has information already filled in, like a person's name, address, or date, for example.