Overview
The Build Contract Templates section in Settings lets you create, manage, and activate contract templates. Templates are the foundation of contract creation in the platform, defining the structure, meta-fields, and default users for every contract generated from them.
How to Access Build Contract Templates
Click on Settings from the left-hand navigation bar.
Click on Build Contract Templates.
This opens the template list showing all existing templates with the following details: Display Name, Contract Type and Sub-Type, Created On, Created By, and Actions.
From the list, you can:
Edit: update an existing template's configuration
Duplicate: copy a template to use as a starting point
Toggle: activate or deactivate a template
Map: map the template to additional configurations
Search: use the search bar to find a template by name
Creating a New Template
Click the Add Template button at the top right. A modal will appear asking you to select one of three creation methods:
Automated Contract: create a template with a contract body in the editor and add meta fields that map to placeholders in the document
Manual Contract: create a template with form fields only, with no contract document body
Import from DOCX + JSON: upload an existing Word document with variables in curly braces and a JSON file with variable metadata
Method 1: Automated Contract
Step 1: Template Information
Fill in the following details:
Template Subtype: enter the subtype name (e.g. NDA, MSA)
Template Type: select the contract type from the dropdown
Entity: select the relevant entity or entities
Region: select the geographical region
Department: select the relevant department
Template Name: enter the display name for the template
Template Category: select the category (e.g. Template Contract, Third Party, Legacy)
Under Default Users, optionally assign:
Default Followers
Default Email Users
Default Signatory Users
Click Next to proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Create Form
The Step 2 page is split into two panels:
Create Document (left panel) The ONLYOFFICE editor opens here. You have two options to input your contract:
Copy and Paste: paste the contract text directly into the editor
Import a Template: go to Collaboration > Combine > Add Template File, select your file and it will be placed into the editor automatically
Create Form (right panel) Click + Add Component to add meta fields to the template form. These meta fields are the variable components users fill in when initiating a contract. Once added, each component can be configured by clicking the pencil icon.
Meta-Field Types
Text: for short text entries such as names and addresses
Number: for numeric values only
Large Text: for longer passages such as descriptions or notes
Date: opens a calendar picker for date selection
Contract Expiry Date: specifically for the contract's expiry date
File Upload: for uploading a file as part of the contract
Single Select: allows the user to choose one option from a list
Multi-Select: allows the user to select multiple options from a list
Form Break: divides the form into sections for easier navigation
Table: allows users to insert a structured table into the contract
Meta-Field Customization Options
After selecting a field type, configure the following:
Label: the display name of the field visible to the user
Sample File: attach a sample file to guide the user
Placeholder: hint text shown inside the field
Meta Tag: associate a tag for MIS reporting and data extraction
Required: toggle on to make the field mandatory
Help Text: additional guidance shown to the user
Visibility: configure conditional visibility based on previous field selections
Autocomplete: enable auto-population based on a preceding field selection
After configuring all meta fields, copy each component's placeholder tag and paste it into the relevant position in the document editor.
Click Save Template to finalise the template.
Method 2: Manual Contract
Follow the same Step 1 process as Automated Contract to fill in the Template Information and click Next.
In Step 2, the Create Document panel shows Not Applicable — there is no document body for a Manual Contract. Only the Create Form panel is active. Add and configure components using the same process described above.
Click Save Template when done.
Method 3: Import from DOCX + JSON
This method imports an existing Word document with variables and a JSON file that defines the variable metadata.
Step 1: Template Details
Fill in the same template information fields (Subtype, Type, Entity, Region, Department, Template Name, Template Category).
Click Next: Default followers & email users.
Step 2: Default Followers, Signatories and Email Users
Optionally assign default users for contracts created from this template:
Default Followers
Default Signatory Users
Default Email Users
Click Next: Upload Word and JSON.
Step 3: Upload Word and JSON File
Upload the following:
DOCX Template: your Word document with variables written in curly braces, e.g. {effectiveDateDay}
Variables Metadata (JSON): a JSON file containing the variable metadata such as type, component IDs, and labels
Click Next: Variables (edit as needed).
Step 4: Variables (Edit as Needed)
The variables extracted from your JSON file are displayed here. For each variable, you can edit the code, label, type, placeholder, required status, and options. The DOCX document should use placeholders in the format {variableName}.
Once satisfied, submit to complete the import.
Activating a Template
After creating a template, return to the Build Contract Templates list and toggle the template On to activate it. The template will then be available for use across the selected categories.
Conclusion
Building templates well upfront saves significant time across every contract initiated from them. Choosing the right creation method — Automated for full document control, Manual for form-only contracts, and Import for migrating existing agreements — ensures each template serves its purpose accurately. Keeping templates active and up to date means your team always has the right starting point for every contract type.