Quick start: Generate your first document

In this quick start, you'll set up Docentric CE to generate business documents from your Dynamics 365 or model-driven Power Platform app. You'll configure a Document Setup for an entity, design a Document Template, and generate your first document.

Prerequisites

  • Docentric CE is installed in your Dynamics 365 or Power Platform environment
  • You have one of the following security roles assigned:
    • Docentric CE Administrator or
    • Docentric CE Maker (for configuration tasks)
    • Docentric CE User (for running documents)
    • Docentric Template designer for Microsoft Word is installed. For more information, see Install Docentric Template designer.

If you don't have Docentric CE yet, contact your administrator or visit the Docentric website to learn about trial options.

Create a Document setup

First, configure a Document setup for the entity you want to generate documents for, such as Quote or Work Order.

  1. Open the Docentric CE application in your Dynamics 365 environment.
  2. In the site map, select Document setups.
  3. Choose New to create a new Document setup.
  4. Enter a descriptive Name such as "Quote Documents" or "Work Order Reports".
  5. Optionally, enter a Description to explain the setup's purpose.
  6. Choose Save.

For detailed instructions, see Configure Document setup.

Build a Data model

Next, define which data from your Dynamics 365 tables will be available in your document templates.

  1. In your Document setup, select the Data model tab.
  2. Choose Select a primary table to begin.
  3. Search for and select your primary table, such as Quote.
  4. Select Next, then choose columns to include in your Data model.
  5. Select Confirm to add the primary table and columns.
  6. Optionally, choose Add related table to include related data such as Quote Lines.
  7. Select Validate to check your Data model for errors.

For detailed instructions, see Set up Data model.

Generate a DDSP file

Before designing your template, generate a Docentric Data Source Package (DDSP) file that contains your Data model schema and sample data.

  1. In your Dynamics 365 app, select a record of the entity type you configured.
  2. Choose the caret in the Run Document split button.
  3. Choose Generate Data Source (DDSP).
  4. In the Generate from document setup field, select your Document setup.
  5. In the Language field, select your language.
  6. In the DDSP filename field, enter a name for the file.
  7. Choose Generate to download the DDSP file.

For detailed instructions, see Generate Data Source (DDSP) from Document setup.

Create a Document template in Docentric CE

First, create a Template record in Docentric CE that will hold your template file.

  1. In your Document Setup, select the Templates tab.
  2. Choose New to create a template.
  3. Enter a Name such as "Quote Template" and a Description.
  4. Choose Save.

For detailed instructions on managing templates in Docentric CE, see Set up Templates.

Design the template in Template designer and upload template design

Now, design your Document template using Docentric Template designer and upload it to Docentric CE.

  1. Open Microsoft Word and launch Docentric Template designer from the Docentric tab on the ribbon.
  2. In Docentric Template designer, load the DDSP file you generated to access your Data model and sample data. For more information, see Set up a Document template.
  3. Design your template by adding tagging elements, binding data fields, and applying formatting. For more information, see Tagging elements overview.
  4. Save the template file (.docx format).
  5. Return to your Document setup in Docentric CE, select your Template, and choose Edit.
  6. Upload your template file by clicking Drop template file here or click to browse.
  7. Review the Validation result and Template preview to ensure your Template is correct.

For comprehensive guidance on designing templates with Docentric Template designer, see Welcome to Docentric Template designer.

Generate your first document

Finally, run a Document flow to generate and distribute your document.

  1. Open your Dynamics 365 app, such as Sales or Field Service.
  2. Navigate to and select a record of the entity type you configured, such as a Quote.
  3. On the ribbon, choose Run Document.
  4. In the Document Run wizard:
    • Select your template
    • Configure document generation settings such as file format
    • Choose a delivery method such as email or download
    • Review the summary
  5. Choose Run to generate and distribute your document.

For detailed instructions, see Run Document Flow.

Next steps

Now that you've generated your first document, explore more capabilities:

See also