Creating a Library

You may want to use separate libraries for templates that deal with different matters. For example, you may want to create one library for divorce templates and another library for estate planning templates. When you create a library, you create an .HDL file on the disk. Once it's created, you can add references to templates to it as well as organize it in whatever way you need.

By default, all new libraries you create will be saved in XML format. If you need to use the library with versions of HotDocs prior to HotDocs 2009, you must specify this format by choosing Save Library As from the File menu and then choosing HotDocs 2005-2008 Library from the Save as type drop-down list. (See HotDocs and XML File Formats for details.)

To create a library

1. At the HotDocs library window, click the New Library button. The New Library dialog box appears.
2. Click the Browse button next to the File Name field. The New Library File Name dialog box appears.
3. Browse to the location where you want to save the file and enter a name in the File Name field. (Click OK once you have specified the file location.)
4. At the New Library dialog box, enter a name for the library in the Title field. This title appears as the top folder in the library window. (Library titles can be up to 100 characters long.)
5. Optionally, type a description of the library in the Description field. The description appears in the Properties tab when the user views the main folder in the library.

Once you create a new library, you can add templates and other files to it. See Add Templates and Other Files to a Library.

See Change HotDocs Program File Locations for information on the default location HotDocs looks for and saves library files.