Prevail User Knowledge Base

E-Training*: Create a New Merge Document Template from Scratch

Owned by Emily Doane
Last updated: Oct 06, 2023 by Carly Ventura
3 min read

This How-to will cover how to create new merge document templates from scratch.

Prevail 9 is compatible with Microsoft Word 2007/2010/2013/2016/Office365 (Microsoft Office 32-bit only) and Corel Word Perfect Suites X3-X6. You must have one of these processors downloaded before you start merging documents.

To view an instructional video of these steps, click the link below.

Video Link: Create a New Merge Document Template from Scratch

Instructions

  1. Click Administration> Document Designer.

  2. Click Create at the top of the Document Designer window.

    1. Choose the law type where the document will be used.

Note: If the document will be used in more than on law type, choose “Generic”.

  1. Enter the a Document Name, and click ‘Save’.

    1. Your document will display in your word processing program, and the Document Designer will display a list of available merge fields.

  2. Complete the following document property fields.

    1. Category

      1. How the document will be categorized in the Document Designer window and in the merge window when generating a merge document.

    2. Settings: History Category 

      1. How the document will be categorized on the History tab when merged in a matter.

    3. Settings: Header/ Footer Codes

      1. Select whether the document will have merge fields in the header only, footer only, both, or neither.

Note: By default, the program assumes that the document does not have field codes in the header or footer.   

  1. Settings: Detail

    1. Enter a description of the document

  2. Ledger Cost: Timekeeper/Cost Category/ override Category/Cost 

    1. For prevail to automatically create a cost entry on the Ledger when the document is merged, select the user whose name should be associated with that cost entry and how it should be categorized.

Warning: If you check the ‘Override Category’ box, then the cost amount you enter for this template will override any default cost you have set up for the selected cost Category in the Databank.

  1. Ledger Time: Timekeeper/time Category/Override Category/Hours/Calculate

    1. If you check the “Override Category” box, then the “Hours” you enter for this template will override any default hours you have set up for the selected Time Category in the Databank.

Note: If you do not want the amount field on the Ledger to calculate, leave the calculate box unchecked.

  1. Task Tab

    1. For Prevail to automatically schedule a task when this document is merged.

  2. Insert merge fields into document using these steps:

    1. Position curser where you want to insert merge field

    2. Click on the appropriate merge field on the left side of the Document Designer window.

    3. Double-Click on the appropriate field in the column on the right side of the Document Designer window to insert this into your document template.

  3. IMPORTANT: Click ‘Save’ at the top of the Document Designer window.

Caution: Do not use the ‘Save’ or ‘Save As’ in your word processing program, this will delete everything inside of the Document Designer.

  1. Close the Document Designer Window

Transferring Your Existing Form Letters into Prevail, Creating a New Merge Document Template by Cloning an Existing Template, Creating a Merge Document Package, Creating Merge Document Templates from Adobe PDF Files, Deleting a Merge Document Template

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Video 41 - Create a New Merge Document Template by Cloning an Existing Template

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Video 22 - Create a New Merge Document Template by Cloning an Existing Template

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Video 10 - Creating a New Merge Document Template by Cloning an Existing Template

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Video 10 - Create a New Merge Document Template by Cloning an Existing Template