Skip to main content

Document Templates vs Document Files

Understand the difference so you can work faster and stay organized.

Vaasu Guduguntla avatar
Written by Vaasu Guduguntla
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Overview

TalleFlow’s Documents feature lets you create, send, and track important business documents like invoices, contracts, proposals, brochures, and questionnaires.
There are two main types you’ll work with: Document Templates and Document Files. Knowing how they differ helps you keep your workspace clean and your workflow efficient.


What is a Document Template?

Templates are your reusable, pre-designed document layouts. They act as the starting point whenever you want to create a new document of the same type.

  • Reusable: Templates are never “sent” directly to clients — they’re used to create new files.

  • Customizable: Set up branding, text blocks, smart tags, and structure once, then use them over and over.

  • Organized by Type: You can have invoice templates, contract templates, proposal templates, etc.

  • Stored for Future Use: Found in your Templates section inside Documents.

Example:
If you always send the same style of project proposal, you can save it as a proposal template. Next time, just duplicate it and fill in the client-specific details.


What is a Document File?

Files are the live, editable versions of documents created from a template (or from scratch) and tied to a specific project or contact.

  • Client-Specific: Files contain real project and client details.

  • Actionable: Files can be sent to clients, signed, paid, or completed.

  • Tracked: Files have statuses like Draft, Sent, Signed, Paid, Expired, or Voided.

  • One-Time Use: Once a file is completed, it’s archived for records — you create a new file for the next use.

Example:
When you create a new invoice for “Smith Wedding Project” based on your invoice template, that invoice is now a file with its own number, due date, and payment link.


How They Work Together

  1. Start with a Template → Choose an existing template or create a new one.

  2. Create a File from the Template → Pull in all the design and layout, then customize for your project/client.

  3. Send & Track the File → Files are tied to projects, sent to clients, and tracked through their lifecycle.


Why It Matters

  • Templates save time by avoiding repetitive setup.

  • Files keep client-specific activity organized.

  • Clear separation keeps your Documents area clean — templates stay generic, files stay project-specific.


Best Practices

  • Keep your templates clean and free of client-specific details.

  • Create templates for every recurring document type you use.

  • Name files with project and client identifiers so they’re easy to find later.

  • Archive old files to keep your active documents organized.

Did this answer your question?