We have redesigned the document template editor. Your templates keep their blocks, modules, variables, and styles. Only the layout of the editor has changed, so some settings are now in a different place.
In this article, we explain where to find each setting in the new editor, and how the main tasks work now.
Where to find each setting
Use this table if you know the old editor and are looking for a setting you used before.
| Setting | Old editor | New editor |
| Template settings (type, name, language, subject, filename, header text, footer text, digital signing) | Template button under Document, in the right sidebar | Template tab in the left sidebar |
| Sample document and letterhead | Sample data box above the template | Toolbar at the top of the template: Document, Letterhead, and Edit letterhead |
| Add blocks and modules | Insert: Blocks and modules button, then drag a tile onto the template | + Add block between two blocks in the Structure tab, or at the bottom of the Structure tab |
| Document styles (text, headers, table module, themes, CSS) | Document styles button under Document | Styles tab in the left sidebar |
| Block settings and margins | Selected module button under Module | Settings tab in the right sidebar, which opens when you select a block |
| Columns | Columns button under Module | Columns tab in the right sidebar |
| Module styles | Module styles button under Module | Styles tab in the right sidebar |
| Options cut/paste | Options cut/paste button in Selected module | Clipboard icon next to the block name in the Settings tab |
| Variables | Variable in the text toolbar | Blue Add variable button in the text toolbar |
| QR codes | HTML code snippet in a Text block | QR-code module |
| Editor and preview | Editor and Preview in the right sidebar | Editor and Preview at the top of the page, next to Close and Save |
How the new editor is laid out
You still open the editor in the same way. Go to settingsConfiguration module > Communication > Document templates and double-click a template.
The editor now has three areas:
- Left sidebar — settings for the whole document, in three tabs: Structure, Template, and Styles.
- Template — in the middle, with a toolbar at the top to choose a sample document and a letterhead.
- Right sidebar — settings for the block you selected, in the tabs Settings, Columns, and Styles. It only opens when you select a block.
The name and document type of the template are now shown at the top left of the page.
The same settings as the old Template button, now grouped under General, Language and region, File settings, and Document format. Document format holds Header text, Footer text, and Digital signing options.
The explanation box at the top of the editor has been removed to give the template more space. Choose a sample document and a letterhead in the toolbar above the template. Hover over the question mark icon in that toolbar to read what sample data is for. Sample data is only used for display, and is not part of the template. To change the letterhead itself, click Edit letterhead. This opens the letterhead in the Configuration module.
Find and select blocks in the Structure tab
The Structure tab lists every block and module in your template, in the same order as on the document. Blocks inside a column layout are shown under that layout, per column. This makes it easier to see how modules, blocks, and columns relate to each other.
To select a block, click it in the Structure tab, or click it in the template. When you click a block in the Structure tab, the template scrolls to that block. When you hover over a block in the template, a dashed outline shows which block you are about to select. The right sidebar opens with the settings of the selected block.
When you hover over a block in the Structure tab, you can:
- Drag it by the six dots to move it.
- Click the pencil icon to edit it.
- Click the trash icon to delete it.
You can also still drag blocks in the template itself.
Add a block or module
Add a new block directly in the place where you want it in the template.
- In the Structure tab, hover between the two blocks where you want the new block.
- Click + Add block on the line that appears.
- (Optional) Type the name of the block in the Filter field.
- Select the block or module.
- Click Save.
The list is grouped into Layout, Subprojects, Content, and Modules, and shows a short description of each block. Which modules are available still depends on the document type.
Add a block at the end of the template
- Click + Add block at the bottom of the Structure tab.
- Select the block or module.
- Click Save.
Edit a block in the right sidebar
The right sidebar replaces the three Module buttons of the old editor. It has up to three tabs, depending on the block.
| Settings | The block name, margins, and display options of the block. Margins are now shown as four fields with an icon for each side. For dropdowns with advanced options, the advanced options are hidden until you turn on Advanced settings. |
| Columns | The columns of a table module. The width of each column is shown as a percentage in its header, so you no longer need to expand a column to see it. |
| Styles | The border and the visual style of the block, such as the style for serial numbers or the content of a physical combination. |
Read our article about editing the columns in your documents for more information.
Add a variable to a text block
Variables in your text are now shown as blue badges, so you can tell them apart from normal text, and are less likely to break by accident. The Add variable button has the same blue style.
- Double-click a Text block.
- Click where you want to add the variable.
- Click Add variable in the toolbar.
- Select a variable from the list.
- Click Save.
The list shows the variables used most for this document type, with an example value from your sample document. If the variable you need is not in the list, click Show all. This opens the All variables window, which works the same as before.
Read our article about variables and how they work for more information.
Add a QR code with the QR-code module
You no longer need an HTML code snippet to add a QR code. Use the QR-code module instead.
- In the Structure tab, hover between the two blocks where you want the QR code.
- Click + Add block on the line that appears.
- Select QR-code.
- In the Settings tab, click the code icon next to QR-code content.
- Select the variable the QR code should contain.
- (Optional) Change the Size of the QR code.
- Click Save.
Rentman generates the QR code from the value of the variable, for example the project number.
Change the document styles in the Styles tab
The Styles tab in the left sidebar has the same Text, Headers, and Table module settings as the old Document styles button. The buttons have moved:
- To edit the CSS, click the code icon next to Styles. The Edit style window now shows line numbers and syntax highlighting.
- To select or save a theme, click the more_vert icon next to Styles, and choose Select theme or Save as a theme.
Read our article about document styling for more information.
FAQs
No. Your templates keep their blocks, modules, variables, and styles. Only the editor around them has changed.
No. Every setting from the old editor is still available, in a different place. Use the table at the top of this article to find it.
You are probably editing a system template. System templates cannot be changed. Duplicate the template first, and edit the copy. Read our article about document templates for more information.
The editor shows an approximation of your document. Click Preview at the top of the page to see the PDF as it will be generated.