Inserting Fields into Documents/Precedents

How To

Content controls are individual controls that you can add and customise for use in documents and precedents.

A content control is a field pulling information from the data entered in LEAP.

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Please note that Content Controls are the replacement for legacy Merge Fields in LEAP.

The ability to Insert Legacy Fields into Documents/Precedents was removed from LEAP 2.4.301.1 in August 2023.

Desktop
Web

Using the Design Mode

Microsoft Word’s Design Mode is a handy tool to show/hide the content control codes.

Using this function can assist in document creation. It can also help all users in understanding which data inserts from LEAP. For instance, if the document is missing information, you can use Design Mode to check if the text is using fields.

Open Microsoft Word.
Click File at the top-left corner of Word.

Click Options at the bottom-left corner of Word.

This will launch the Word Options window.
Click the Customize Ribbon tab.
Under the Customize the Ribbon section on the right, tick the Developer checkbox.
Click OK to save.
From the Word ribbon, click the Developer tab.
Click Design Mode.

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Please ensure Design Mode is not selected when you are inserting any fields. Design Mode is only for viewing content control codes.

Understanding Content Control

A content control code is in the following format: Matter.PersonActingFullName.

The first part of the name (Matter) is the Table Type, where the field is pulling the information from.

The second part, after the dot, is the field name itself.

So, in the above example, we are looking at the Person Acting Full Name field on the Matter table.

Field Tags

Fields are prefixed and suffixed to allow for easier searching and filtering, and to group items in similar categories so they appear in alphabetical order, making it easier for you to locate Fields and Calculations, and determining which to use when customising your precedents.

Prefix always appear as a button to the right of the field name in colour.

Examples of common prefixes include [Address], [Card], [Matter], [Grammar].

Suffix always appear below the field name in grey.

Examples of common suffixes include (Multi), (Down), (Across), (Hard Return).

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For a full list of Field prefixing and suffixing, please refer to our article Fields and Calculations used in Precedent Automation here.

Field Preview window to view the value of the Field data prior to use

When you click on a Field or Calculation in the Insert Fields panel, you will see the data value of the Field or Calculation automating directly from the matter you are currently in, displayed in the blue Field Preview window.

This alleviates the need for you to insert the Field into your Word document to see what value it produces, as you will see the data value that will be inserted shown at the bottom of the Insert Fields panel.

Find Fields Used in a Document

If you wish to insert a specific field—such as a property's address—into a document, please follow the steps below:

Open the matter and check which table type contains the field you would like to insert into a document.

For example, the Property Address field was entered in the Property table of this matter.
From the Details & Correspondence tab, open or create a Word document from the matter.
Within the LEAP document, click on the Editing within the LEAP Word ribbon and select Insert Fields.

This will launch the LEAP Document Automation pane on the right-hand side of your Word document.
Click the Fields tab .
Select the relevant table type that you wish to insert fields from.

For example, select the Property table type from the drop-down filter.
Toggle the Show Hidden Fields option if required.

Use the Search fields function to search or filter the list for the fields you desire.

For example, enter "address" in the search field. You can view the data entered on the matter via the Field Preview below.
Place the cursor in the Word document where you want to insert the field.

From the LEAP Document Automation pane, double-click on the field to insert.

The selected field will be inserted at the cursor's position in the Word document.

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Please note that LEAP is not designed to work with fields inside textboxes which are inside headers. The values will not update.

Inserting Content Fields in a Document/Precedent

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > select Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Make sure you're on the Fields tab .
Under Fields, click the drop-down filter to select the relevant Table Type that you wish to insert fields from. For example: Card or Matter or Property etc.
Use the Search Fields box to search or filter the list for the field(s) you desire.
Toggle the Show Hidden Fields option if required.

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You can collapse and expand the Field Group Tags to easily search for the field you wish to insert.

Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Double-click the field you wish to insert.

The selected field will be inserted at the cursor's position in the document with information populated based on the matter.

Turning on Content Control Field Shading

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Toggle Field Shading.

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If you have disabled the Toggle Field Shading option but a field still appears as shaded, you will need to use the Format Painter option in Word to copy the formatting from plain text and apply it to the field.

Formatting Fields

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Fields can be formatted within your documents. For example, you may wish to change how the date is displayed or if the text is capitalised or not.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
Highlight the field you wish to format.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Format Fields.

The LEAP Format Fields will open in a new window.
In the Field Type section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
In the Format section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
Click OK.

Advanced Coding Types

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As customisation of fields can become quite complicated, what follows is for simple custom fields only. If you need any advanced customisation of your documents or precedents, please contact LEAP.

When there is at least one Question created, the LEAP for Word Add-in will be available through the Add-ins tab at the top of Microsoft Office. It will display all Questions created through the content control tools, as well as a text box to enter the appropriate response.

Inserting a Question Field

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A Question field will ask one in a panel on the right-hand side of your document and insert that answer.

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The instructions on the side can be hidden by clicking the arrow to collapse the panel.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the Questions tab on the left.
Click New.
Enter the Name of the Question which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Type the question into the Text field.
(Optional) Click next to Add Field to Text to enter any details.
(Optional) You can make the Question conditional via Condition. You can set a condition to display or hide the question.
1. If: Click Select Source to select the condition data source and set the format as needed. Select the comparison option using the dropdown list.
2. Then: Select Disable or Hide.
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To delete IF and ELSE IF statements, click the trash icon next to 'Add condition'.
Click the Answer tab and select the Answer Type you wish to create:
- Text Box
- Text Area
- Date
- Checkbox
- Radio Buttons
- Dropdown List
- Checkbox List
- Multi Select Dropdown List
(Optional) Enter the Default Answer Text (if Static is selected as Source) or Default Answer Source (if FromSource is selected as Source).
Click Save.
In your document, place the cursor on where you would like to have the answer to the Question inserted.
Double-click the newly created Question to insert the field.

Inserting Calculation Fields

Inserting Basic Mode Calculation Fields

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The Basic Calculation Builder is best used for creating either checkboxes, results that are to be used in other automation options or small sections of document text does not require formatting, where that text will change depending on the answer to Question, Calculation or Field result.

Working with the Basic Calculation Builder

The first thing to set when using the Basic Calculation Builder is the Return Type. This can be either Text or True or False.

Text is best used where you want your result to be a sentence or paragraph.
True or False is best used when you want to insert a checkbox into the document.

After setting the Return Type, create your calculation by choosing the field, question, or calculation you wish to base it on, this is called the Condition source.

Once that is selected, you either manually input text or choose another field, question, or calculation as the condition on which your final result will be based on, this is called the Condition value.

The easiest way to learn and become familiar with Basic Calculations in coding terms, is to think of what you're creating as a logical sentence. As you set up the calculation, read it aloud to ensure it makes logical or sequential sense.

For example, the following Basic Calculation reads as "If my selected Sworn/Affirmed Question equals the word ‘Sworn’, then display this result in my Word document; otherwise, display this other result."

Creating a Basic True and False Calculation based on a Field

From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Place your cursor in the document where you expect to see the result. After you have created your calculation, this is where the calculation will appear once you select to insert it.
Select the Calculations tab via the vertical tab in the LEAP for Word pane. 
Select the New button. A window will open where you enter the details for your calculation.
Enter the Name of the calculation.

For this example, "c_ChkMr".
Change the Return Type to True or False.
Add the Description as “Checkbox for if client salutation is Mr”.
Select the Source as Field from the drop-down list.
Select the Table named Client.
Locate the Field from the Fields list by searching "salutation" to narrow the displayed Fields and select [People] Salutation.

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If you are unable to locate the field, toggle Show Hidden Fields on.

Click OK.
Leave the drop-down list as is equal to.
Enter "Mr" into the Condition Value field.
Click Save to save the calculation.
Right-click on the calculation in the list and select Insert as Checkbox.
The checkbox will now be inserted into your document where you set you cursor in step 2.
Repeat these steps the create a checkbox for "Mrs" and "Miss".

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If you do not wish to create these calculations from scratch you can right-click the calculation and select the Duplicate option to duplicate the c_ChkMr calculation. You can then go in and edit the duplicate calculations to change the name, description and condition value to be "Mrs" and "Miss".

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True or False calculations can also be created based on the results of a question or calculation. To do so, select Question or Calculation instead of Field on the Source pop-out.

Creating a Basic Text Calculation based on an Answer to a Question

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Before proceeding with this example, you will need to create a question. Using the example given in (link to the questions tab) create a question called q_PersonSigning with the answers of Person Acting, Person Responsible and Person Assisting and set Person Acting as the default.

From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Place your cursor in the document where you expect to see the result. After you have created your calculation, this is where the calculation will appear once you select to insert it.
Click on the Calculations tab on the left.
Click New.
Enter the Name of the calculation.

For this example, enter as "c_PersonSigning".
Select the Source as Question from the drop-down list.
Select the question "q_PersonSigning".

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Please note that this question must be previously created prior to creating this calculation. Please see Creating Conditional Fields for Firm Signatures.
Click OK.
Leave the drop-down list as is equal to and type in "Person Responsible".
Click on the Add field button to the right of the Then field.
Select the Source as Field.
Locate the Field named Person responsible - full name.
Click OK.
In the Then field, enter a "," after the field. Then press Enter and on a second line enter "Person Responsible".
Click on the Add else if button underneath the Then field.

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Else if is being selected as our question has three possible answers. If there are only two possible answers do not select Else if.
For the Else If:
1. Select the Source as Question "q_Person Signing".
2. Leave the drop-down to is equal to and type "Person Acting" in the Condition value box.
3. Click on the Add field button to the right of the Then field.
4. Select the Source as Field.
5. Select the Table named Matter.
6. Locate the Field named Person acting - full name.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Then field, enter a "," after the field. Then press Enter and on a second line, enter "Person Acting".
Click on the Add field button to the right of the Else field.
Select the Source as Field.
Select the Table named Matter.
Locate the Field named Person assisting - full name.
Click OK.
In the Then field, enter a "," after the field. Then press enter and on a second line enter "Person Assisting".

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You can then read this calculation as “If the question q_PersonSigning = Person Responsible, bring in the Person Responsible Details, else if the question q_PersonSigning = Person Acting, bring in the Person Acting Details. If the answer is neither then bring in the Person Assisting Details.
Click Save to save the calculation.
Insert your Calculation into the document and then change the answer to the question q_PersonSigning to see the calculation update.

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Text calculations can also be based off the results of fields or other calculations. To do so, select Field or Calculation instead of Field on the Source pop-out.

Inserting Calculation Fields using JavaScript Templates

The Calculations tab allows you to create Calculations using JavaScript, for greater customisation capabilities than ever before.

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Please note that JavaScript is a complex programming language, and these instructions does not attempt to teach you how to code using JavaScript.

The Calculations tab provides a means for those who either:

have the scripting skills to further customise documents in LEAP; or
want to learn how to use the Code Template features to assist with coding with JavaScript.

Accessing JavaScript Calculations

To access the area where you can create Calculations:

Within a precedent, in Edit Mode, select Insert Fields from the Editing dropdown menu.
Click on the Calculations tab on the left.
Click New to create a new Calculation.
Toggle Advanced Mode on.
Enter the Name of the Calculation which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Calculation.
Select a Return Type from the drop-down list:
- string: A series of characters as texts.
- number: Numbers that can be written with, or without decimals.
- boolean: True or false.
- array: Represents a collection of elements, e.g. collection of strings, collection of numbers, etc.
- image
To reference any Fields, Questions or Calculations, click on the Plus button to the left of Parameters and select from the Source dropdown.
The Calculation Code editor will be shown on the right, where you can start creating your JavaScript Calculation.

Using Template Code Calculations to Create JavaScript Calculations

You can also use the Calculation Code button to insert code templates, making it easier should you wish to create Calculations via JavaScript:

After adding all necessary information in the left panel, such as calculation Name, Description, the Return type, and Parameters or multiple Parameters that will be used, select the code icon on the right side of Calculation Code.
Highlight the placeholder text //Your code goes here and remove it.
Leave your cursor where that placeholder text had been.
Click the Calculation Code icon and a list of templates will appear.

You also search the code library for a template.
Select the Code Template that you would like to use as a base to create your own Calculation and double-click to insert.

For example, select 'If not blank' and the code template will be inserted.
Change the Template placeholders with correct data.
Double-click the name of the Parameter to insert the parameter. For example, change the "EnterParameterHere" green placeholder with the Parameter you have selected on the left side panel.
Change the "InsertTrueValue" red placeholder text with the relevant data by simply typing over it.
Change the "InsertFalseValue" red placeholder text with the relevant data by simply typing over it.
Click Run Code to confirm or verify your code output via Result.
Click Save to save the new calculation.
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the calculation.
Double-click the new Calculation field to insert.

Inserting Repeating Sections

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A repeating section is a control that contains other controls and that repeats as needed. Use a repeating section when you want to display variable amounts of data on a document.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the Repeating Sections tab on the left.
By default, the Insert in Table option will be toggled on.

Untoggle if you do not need to insert the repeating section in a table row.
Select the category you wish to use from the drop-down list.

By default, Matter Table is selected.
Use the Search Fields to search or filter the list to the field(s) you desire.
Select the Field or other categories' fields you wish to use.
Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Double-click the selected Field to insert.

Inserting Conditional Fields

The Conditional Fields interface is designed to guide you through creating conditional statement logic effortlessly.

Conditional Fields are best used for large sections of document text that require formatting where that text will change depending on the answer to a Question, Calculation or Field result.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Place your cursor in the document where you expect to see the result. As soon as you create a New Conditional Field, the placeholder for the content control will be inserted immediately into your Word document, at the cursor's location.

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Tip: If you do not have your cursor in the correct location at the time of creation, you can easily move the Conditional Field by either the standard drag/drop or cut/paste Word features.
Access Conditional Fields via the vertical tab in LEAP for Word pane.
Select the New button. A pop-up screen will then open which contains instructions on the left-hand side for how to create a conditional field. 
Enter the Name of the Calculation which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Conditional Field.
Select the Source type. This can be a Field, Question or Calculation.
Enter your Conditions.
Select Save.
From the side pane select the Editing Icon against a condition and enter the result on the document.
Select Save.

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For an example of a conditional field based off a question see Insert a Signature Field into Letters and Precedents

Using Check Fields

Check Fields allows you to check conditional fields and synchronise them, relinking fields to the document.

When fields are blue you can go to Editing and Check Fields to resolve.

When fields are orange, they are successfully inserting data from the matter.

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This feature is only available in Microsoft Office Desktop applications and not on Microsoft Office Online.

Using the Design Mode

Microsoft Word’s Design Mode is a handy tool to show/hide the content control codes.

Open Microsoft Word.
Click File > Options at the top-left corner of Word.

The Word Options will open in a new window.
Click the Customize Ribbon tab.
Under the Customize the Ribbon section, tick the Developer checkbox.
Click OK to save.
Click the Developer tab.
Click Design Mode.

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Please ensure Design Mode is not selected when you are inserting any fields. Design Mode is only for viewing content control codes.

Understanding Content Control Fields

A content control code is in the following format: Matter.PersonActingFullName.

The first part of the name (Matter) is the Table Type, where the field is pulling the information from.

The second part, after the dot, is the field name itself.

So, in the above example, we are looking at the Person Acting Full Name field on the Matter table.

Inserting Content Fields in a Document/Precedent

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Add-in for Word pane, click on the Insert Fields tab.
Under Select LEAP Table, click the drop-down menu to select the relevant Table Type you wish to insert fields from.
Toggle the View all option if required.

Additional fields will be displayed in blue.
Use the Search Fields to search for the field(s) you desire.

Click the arrow icon next to the headings to expand or collapse.
Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Select the field you wish to insert.
Double-click the selected field to insert at the cursor's position in the document with information populated based on the matter.

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To display the field names while editing documents, click the ellipsis icon in the top-right of the LEAP for Word add-in and select Show field names.

Advanced Coding Types

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Questions

When there is at least one Question created, the LEAP Add-in for Word will automatically open on the Question App tab on the right-hand side of the document. It will display all questions created through the content control tools with the relevant options to enter the appropriate response, which will then be inserted into the document.

Create a Question

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Add-in for Word pane, click on the Questions tab on the left.
Click on New question.

The New question window will open.
Enter a Name for the question.

This is for your reference only and is used to identify the response when inserting the response in the required location within the document. The name must be unique and cannot contain spaces.
(Optional) Click the Assign to Group drop-down menu to select a group if required.

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For more information on creating a Question group, please see the section below.

Type the question into the Question text field.
(Optional) Click next to Add Field to Text to enter any parameter details.
(Optional) Under Condition, set a condition if you want the question to be displayed or hidden based on specific criteria.
Click the Answer tab to configure the answer you want to create.

Click the Type drop-down to select one of the following answer types:
- Text Box: Enter a text response or populate the answer from a specific table type value.
- Text Area: Enter a multi-line text response.
- Date: Select or enter a date.
- Checkbox: Select a single checkbox.
- Radio Buttons: Select one option from a list.
- Dropdown List: Select one option from a drop-down list.
- Checkbox List: Select one or more options from a list of checkboxes.
- Multi Select Dropdown List: Select one or more options from a drop-down list.
Click Save.
In your document, place the cursor on where you would like to have the answer to the Question inserted.
Double-click the newly created Question to insert the field.

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Click the Questions App tab to preview and test your questions. Once you have answered the questions, click Update document to insert the responses into the appropriate locations within the document.

Create a Question Group

A Question Group allows you to organise related questions under a common heading. You can also set conditions to display or hide the entire group based on specific criteria.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Add-in for Word pane, click on the Questions tab.
Click on New group.

The New question group window will open.
Enter a Name for the question group.

This is for your reference only. The name must be unique and cannot contain spaces.
Enter the heading for the question group in the Question group text field.
(Optional) Click next to Add Field to Text to enter any parameter details.
Under Condition, set a condition if you want the question group to be displayed or hidden based on specific criteria.
Click Save.

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Click the Questions App tab to preview the question groups and test your questions.

Calculations

Calculations are an advanced feature and will require experience in JavaScript. It is advised to contact LEAP or a LEAP Certified Consultant to assist in the use of this feature.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Add-in for Word pane, click on the Calculations tab on the left.
Click New.

The Calculation Details will be displayed in the window.
Enter the Name of the Calculation.

This is for your reference only and is used to identify the response when inserting the response in the required location within the document. The name must be unique and cannot contain spaces.
Enter a Description of the Calculation.
Select a Return Type from the drop-down list:
- Text: A series of characters as texts.
- Number: Numbers that can be written with, or without decimals.
- True or False: True or false.
- Array: Represents a collection of elements, e.g. collection of strings, collection of numbers, etc.
Click Edit Javascript.

The LEAP Edit Javascript editor will open in a new window.
(Optional) Click New next to Input Parameters to select the type of parameters you wish to use, e.g. Field, Question, Calculation or Word App Template.

You may also click to edit or to delete an existing parameter.
Place the cursor in the code editor where you would like to insert the Input Parameter.
Click the name of the Input Parameter to insert the parameter.
Edit the code as necessary in the editor.
Click Run Code to confirm or verify your code output via Test Output.
Click OK to close the editor.
Click Save to save the new calculation.
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the calculation.
Double-click the new Calculation field to insert.

Conditional Fields

A Conditional field will display information depending on information within the current matter, or responses to questions. For example, you may want different text in your document depending on the answer to a Question.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the Conditional Fields tab .
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the Conditional Field.
Click New.

The Conditional Field Details will be displayed in the window.
Enter the Name of the Conditional Field which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Conditional Field.
Select the appropriate field for the Condition and click Select.
Enter a Test Value.

You may click Add Empty Value or Add Default Value instead of manually entering a Test Value.
Click Save.

Last Modified Date

21/09/2026 9:31 am

Title

Inserting Fields into Documents/Precedents

URL Name

Document-Fields