Steps for Creating a HotDocs Model

The following instructions define, in simple terms, the steps you go through to create a HotDocs Model. The instructions include links to topics that describe the process in further detail.

The basic steps for creating a HotDocs Model include:

• Marking variable fields.
• Marking conditional text.
• Marking repeated text.
• Grouping variables in dialogs and creating an interview.

To create a HotDocs Model with variable fields

1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Identify the text that will change, depending on the user. For example, find all names, dates, descriptions, and so forth.
3. Replace the text with variable fields. For example, replace all references to the client’s name with a markup field, like [ClientName;te]. (See Mark Variable Text.)

You can use Word's Find and Replace feature to find multiple instances of the same word in the document.

4. Specify any additional information about the variables in tables at the end of the document. (See Define Field Properties.)

To mark conditional text in the document

1. Identify the sections of the document that are conditional.
2. Mark these sections using any combination of IF, Else IF, or Else fields. (See Mark Conditional Text.)
3. Optionally, hide the conditions in the fields to make the markup easier to read. (See Manage Markup Fields in the Document.)

To mark repeated text in the document

1. Identify the sections of the document that must be repeated.
2. Mark these sections using REPEAT fields. (See Mark Repeated Text.)
3. Define the dialogs for the variable fields you need repeated. (Make sure you also define repeat styles for the dialogs.) (See Group Variables in Dialogs.)
4. Optionally, hide the repeat field properties to make the markup easier to read. (See Manage Markup Fields in the Document.)

To group variables into dialogs

1. In the tables section of the document, create a Dialogs table.
2. List the variables you want included in each dialog, in the order you want the variables asked, in the Contents column of the table.
3. Optionally, create an Interview table and define the order you want the dialogs asked in the interview. (See Define the Order of Dialogs in the Interview.)

Once your documents are marked up, you can either assemble them using HotDocs, or you can convert them to HotDocs template format. For instructions on doing this, please see Create HotDocs Template from Model Or Assemble a HotDocs Model.

You can also define settings that control how the HotDocs Model is assembled. For details, see Define Settings for a HotDocs Model.

For examples of how to mark up a HotDocs Model, see Simple Markup Example (Contract), Simple Markup Example (Agreement), and Complex Markup Example with Tables (Last Will and Testament).