Using the Template Designer

Using the Template Designer

All templates used on Thread must be coded correctly using the Thread Template Designer add-in for Word. For instructions on downloading the add-in, click here.  


You can use an existing template or create a new Word document, and code it by using the template designer. When you open the add-in, you will see a list of fields depending on the file category you are creating a template for.

 

Contact = Main Client (+ other contact types depending on file category)

Contact Custom = Custom fields added to the contact section. 

File = File related fields. 

File Custom = Custom Fields added to a file. 

                Global = Today’s date. 

Bill = Financial information. 

Click the + or – on the field to open or close the drop-down menu.  

You will see different fields depending on the file category you are in, for example with Litigation files you will see extra fields such as barrister, solicitor, judge, garda, etc. 

 

To start coding your template:

  1. 1. On the home page, in the left-hand panel, under Template Desk, click  Create & Edit. 

  1. 2. In the top grey pane, click New. 

  1. 3. Click Word document. 

 

  1. 4. Fill in the Add a Document Template pop-up window fields. All mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk (*). 

  1. 5. Add a Title for your template. 

  1. 6. Select a Category for your template. 

  2. 7. Click Create, and when the document opens in Word, click the Thread Template Designer on the top pane. 

  1. Sign in. 


  1. 8. Copy and paste an existing template or type a document to be used as a template. 

  1. 9. In fields where client and file information should go (i.e. Dear ___), place your cursor and left-click. 

  1. 10. Go to the Template Designer on the right pane and choose the correct field. Click on the field for it to appear where you have selected on the document.  

 

                  

If you wish to rearrange how the coded fields show on the document, you can add or remove space/line, just make sure to always keep the two brackets before and after the coding:

               

                        

11. To add multiple fields, select the fields and click Add all selected. 



  1. All fields selected will then be placed into the document where you can rearrange and reformat to suit your preferences 

 
 


Today's date is located in Global field.
 



  1. 12. Continue with this until your document is fully coded. If you can’t find a certain field, you can cross-reference with the file on Thread. For example, if you want to add ‘Defense documents’ but can’t see it on the Template Designer, go to File Details and see where it is located. 

 

  1. Once finished editing your document, make sure to save it and you can start generating documents from templates in a file.


To find out more about templates, go to Templates/Precedents - Overview.

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