The Template Builder

Introduction to the Lawyaw Template Builder

The Template Builder is where you will go to set up, edit and save your model templates.

Installing the Template Builder

Feel free to skip this step if you have already downloaded the Lawyaw Template Builder.

Download the Template Builder from the Microsoft Word Add-In Store

You can download the Template Builder through the Microsoft Word Add-In Store.

  • First go to the Insert menu, if you are using a Mac, or on the Home ribbon on a PC
  • Then under Add-ins select "Get Add-ins"
  • Next search for "Lawyaw" to find the Lawyaw Template Builder.
  • Click "Add"

The Template Builder Lives in Microsoft Word

After you have initially installed the Template Builder, you are able to open it through the Lawyaw logo on your Microsoft Word ribbon.

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Setting Up a Template is More Art than Science

In the lessons that follow, you will learn some best practices and strategies to help you successfully set up templates. One thing to keep in mind is that setting up a template is more art than science.

You should be flexible in the way you approach setting up templates. If you're too mechanical, you may miss the nuances of the document and the template may not be as complete or effective as it could be. Often times, there may be some trial and error before you get it right.

Relationship Between the Template Builder and the Platform

The Template Builder and the Platform are inherently connected because setting up templates in the Template Builder is how the "Journey" that will be followed to generate documents from the template through the Platform is built.

Get a Jumpstart

Visit Lawyaw's Template Exchange for hundreds of free and low-cost templates spanning many jurisdictions - including all 50 U.S. states - as well as many different practice areas. These exemplars include case caption 'stub' templates, which can be used to quickly build out our custom template library.

Template Services

What some help getting started? We have a team of legal professionals that are available to create your templates for you. If you would like more information, or an estimate for your documents, let us know.

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Up next

Introduction to Lawyaw
Introduction to Lawyaw
Key Concepts and Terminology
Key Concepts and Terminology
Clio Users: Getting Started
Clio Users: Getting Started
The Platform
The Platform
The Template Builder
The Template Builder
Selecting Documents to Turn Into Templates
Selecting Documents to Turn Into Templates
Creating Model Templates
Creating Model Templates
How Information is Saved: Fields and Cards
How Information is Saved: Fields and Cards
Clio Users: Using Clio Information in Lawyaw
Clio Users: Using Clio Information in Lawyaw
Roles versus Other Cards
Roles versus Other Cards
Prepping Templates
Prepping Templates
Importing Cards and Fields
Importing Cards and Fields
Advanced Topic: Using Copy/Paste to Import Fields and Conditions
Advanced Topic: Using Copy/Paste to Import Fields and Conditions
Adding Cards
Adding Cards
Adding Fields to Cards and Hints
Adding Fields to Cards and Hints
Duplicating Cards
Duplicating Cards
Collapse and Collapse All Cards
Collapse and Collapse All Cards
Inserting Fields and Bulk Insert
Inserting Fields and Bulk Insert
Multiple Choice Fields
Multiple Choice Fields
* NEW * Multi-Select Fields
* NEW * Multi-Select Fields
Formatting Fields
Formatting Fields
Advanced Topic: Formatting your Data
Advanced Topic: Formatting your Data
Deleting Fields
Deleting Fields
Reordering Fields and Cards
Reordering Fields and Cards
Test your Skills #1
Test your Skills #1
Stepping Through Test Your Skills #1
Stepping Through Test Your Skills #1
Adding Rules to Your Templates (Conditions)
Adding Rules to Your Templates (Conditions)
Getting Started with Conditions
Getting Started with Conditions
Advanced Topic: Choosing the Right Design for your Rules
Advanced Topic: Choosing the Right Design for your Rules
Inserting Conditions
Inserting Conditions
Moving Conditions
Moving Conditions
Using Conditions for Multiples
Using Conditions for Multiples
Nested Conditions
Nested Conditions
Triggering Conditions from Multiple Choice Fields
Triggering Conditions from Multiple Choice Fields
Standalone Conditions
Standalone Conditions
Reviewing, Testing and Troubleshooting Conditions
Reviewing, Testing and Troubleshooting Conditions
Test Your Skills #2
Test Your Skills #2
Stepping Through Test Your Skills #2
Stepping Through Test Your Skills #2
More Practice #1
More Practice #1
Generating Documents
Generating Documents
The Journey
The Journey
Assigning Contacts to Roles
Assigning Contacts to Roles
Optional Highlighted Changes
Optional Highlighted Changes
Template Sets
Template Sets
Saving, Editing and Transferring Templates
Saving, Editing and Transferring Templates
Saving Templates
Saving Templates
Editing Templates
Editing Templates
Transferring Templates
Transferring Templates
Deleting Templates
Deleting Templates
Electronic Signatures
Electronic Signatures
Creating the Signature Package
Creating the Signature Package
eSignature: The Client Experience
eSignature: The Client Experience
MS Word Basics
MS Word Basics
Converting Document to .docx Format
Converting Document to .docx Format
Add Signature Lines
Add Signature Lines
Extending Blank Lines to Right Margin
Extending Blank Lines to Right Margin
Adjusting Line Indents and Word Wrap
Adjusting Line Indents and Word Wrap
Orphan Control
Orphan Control
Section Breaks
Section Breaks
Custom Paragraph and Section Numbering
Custom Paragraph and Section Numbering
Insert Current Year
Insert Current Year
Advanced Topics: Adding Calculations to Tables
Advanced Topics: Adding Calculations to Tables
Advanced Topics: Defining a Custom Style
Advanced Topics: Defining a Custom Style
Advanced Topics: Creating a Second Independent Dynamic Numbering Sequence
Advanced Topics: Creating a Second Independent Dynamic Numbering Sequence
Advanced Topics: Referencing Table Calculations
Advanced Topics: Referencing Table Calculations
AMA (Ask Me Anything)
AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Adding Multiple Versions of Pronouns Using Conditions
Adding Multiple Versions of Pronouns Using Conditions
Proper Condition Tag Placement
Proper Condition Tag Placement
Using Copy/Paste to Save Time Creating Templates
Using Copy/Paste to Save Time Creating Templates
Allowing Multiple Selections with a Standard Lawyaw Multiple-Choice Field
Allowing Multiple Selections with a Standard Lawyaw Multiple-Choice Field
Building a Case Caption Using an MS Word Table
Building a Case Caption Using an MS Word Table
Building Out Your Template Library Using Case Caption Stub Templates
Building Out Your Template Library Using Case Caption Stub Templates
Using Conditions to Toggle Checkboxes
Using Conditions to Toggle Checkboxes
Using Conditions to Create Dynamic Tables
Using Conditions to Create Dynamic Tables
Converting a Clio Manage Template into a Lawyaw Template
Converting a Clio Manage Template into a Lawyaw Template
Creating Reciprocal Templates
Creating Reciprocal Templates
Adjusting Fill-in-the-Blank Lines to work with Lawyaw Fields
Adjusting Fill-in-the-Blank Lines to work with Lawyaw Fields
Using Hidden Control Fields
Using Hidden Control Fields
Inserting Conditions into a Numbered List
Inserting Conditions into a Numbered List