HotDocs supports the following three types of templates:
| Template Type | Description |
| Text Templates |
You create and automate a text template in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. You can modify the underlying text of a text template both as you automate the template and as you view the assembled document in the word processor. Text templates have a .DOCX, .RTF, .DOT, .WPT or .TTX file name extension. Microsoft Word .DOT templates cannot be used with HotDocs Server. |
| Form Templates | A form template is based on static graphical or text content, such as a PDF document. You place variable fields directly on top of the static content so that during the document assembly process, HotDocs can overlay answers on top of the static text. When you answers are merged with the static document content, the underlying static text and formatting does not change. Form templates have a .HFT or .HPT file name extension. |
| Interview Templates | An interview template gathers specific information (such as court, attorney, or client information). HotDocs saves the answers your end users provide for use in assembling documents; however, unlike text and form templates, HotDocs does not generate a document directly from an interview template. The only direct output of an interview template is an answer file. However, starting with an interview template, HotDocs can trigger subsequent assembly of additional documents using the ASSEMBLE instruction. Interview templates have a .CMP file name extension. |
When you create a new template filecreate a new template file, HotDocs creates a companion file called the component file. The component file contains information about variables and other components used in the template. The component file has the same base file name as the template file, but with a .CMP file name extension. Both the template file and the component file are necessary for a template to work. Whenever you copy a HotDocs templatecopy a HotDos template—for example, to share a template with another user—you must be sure to copy both the template file and the component file.
The component file works in the background—as you create various components in the template, HotDocs stores the component file. Normally, each template uses its own component file, but you can make two or more templates share one component filemake two or more templates share one component file.