How Do I Create Custom Document Templates?

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Do the following to create a customized document template:

Customizing and creating document templates is a complicated process. If you prefer, you can contact BQE Support for assistance or sign up for our ArchiOffice Trainings to learn how to customize templates. We can also create document templates for you from your existing corporate documents.

  1. Open Microsoft Word and select File > Open from the menu.

  2. Browse to the Templates folder on the ArchiOffice server and select an existing template (for example, Transmittal). The following is the default path: C:\ArchiOfficeData\20XX\Templates20XX.
    It is best to create a new document using one of the existing templates that comes with ArchiOffice. Pick one that contains the type of information that you will need for your own template. For example, an envelope contains only contact information, whereas a purchase order contains contact, project, vendor, and your company information.

For illustrative purposes, this procedure uses the Transmittal document as an example.

  1. Modify the template as necessary. You can insert graphics (for example, company logo), change the font, change the font size, etc.

  2. The template contains merge fields enclosed by caret symbols (for example, <<ContactFullName>>). You can make as many copies of field code as needed and move the fields wherever you need to display information in the final document.

  3. To insert additional fields, open the New Merge Fields document located in the ArchiOffice Templates folder (if it is not available there, please download it from ArchiOffice Support Downloads  ). This file lists all the fields available for use. Copy and paste the corresponding field into your customized template.

Always include the << >> symbols with the field name (for example, <<ContactFirstName>>) or data will not merge into your document when created from ArchiOffice.

  1. Select File > Save As and save the document template with a new name (for example, My_Company_Transmittal.doc).

  2. Close the template and exit Microsoft Word.

  3. In ArchiOffice, select Preferences from the master drop-down list.

  4. Open the Documents folder and click Template.

  5. Select the folder in the Document Templates tree in which the new template will be added (for example, General).

  6. Click Add .

  7. Browse to and select the template you created.

  8. In the Template Details section, enter descriptive detail and configure the available settings as needed. See Preferences -Documents-Template for further detail on the available template settings. The template has now been added to the system and is ready for use.

You can attach Microsoft Excel files as templates, but you will not be able to merge data into Excel from ArchiOffice. Due to the format of the documents and the merging tools available, this functionality is not available.

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