PDF Template Editor

The PDF Template Editor gives you a visual workflow for designing dynamic documents. You build a template by placing dynamic placeholders onto an uploaded PDF background.

The editor works exclusively with the PDF Templates class. Each template you create becomes an instance in this class, carrying the fillTemplate function that populates your document with data.

To see the complete process in action, follow our step-by-step guide.

Creating a PDF template

1

Open the editor

Open the PDF Template Editor from the Top Bar.

2

Define properties

Enter a unique name for your template and choose a standard page size (A4, A5, or Letter).

3

Generate instance

Click Create Template. Heisenware generates the corresponding instance in your Function Explorer.

Designing the layout

Once your template is created, set up the visual background and place your dynamic fields.

Managing pages and backgrounds

To use an existing document as a layout, first upload its pages as separate PDF files to the File Explorer.

1

Add blank pages

Add a blank page for each page of your source document using the Add Page icon ().

2

Set background

Drag each page file from the File Explorer onto the corresponding blank page. This sets the file as a static background.

3

Organize

Right-click a page to open the context menu, where you move pages up or down or manage the layering (Bring to Front / Send to Back).

Deleting a page is permanent

It removes the page, its background, and all placeholders on it. You cannot currently replace the background of an existing page.

Placing and configuring placeholders

Placeholders are the dynamic slots where your logic inserts data.

1

Add placeholder

Click the text or image placeholder icon in the toolbar (, ), then click the page to place it.

2

Assign variable

Select the placeholder and click the gear icon. Provide a variable name (e.g., firstName).

3

Style

Adjust the font, size, or colors for text, or resize the bounding boxes to define the final content area.

Data matching

The variable name you enter (e.g., invoiceNumber) must exactly match the key in the data object you provide in your backend logic later. The editor adds the <> tags automatically.

Populating the template

To bring your PDF to life, call the fillTemplate function in your backend logic. It is the engine: it takes a data object (say, a JSON object from a database), merges the values into your placeholders, and outputs the finished PDF. For detailed input and output specifications, see the PDF Templates class documentation.

To see these concepts in action, follow our step-by-step guide on automating PDF reports.

Deleting a template

To permanently remove a PDF template and its associated function:

1. Navigate to the Function Explorer.

2. Open the PDF Templates class.

3. Right-click the specific template instance.

4. Select Remove.

This action is irreversible

Deleting an instance removes it completely. Any logic in your Backend Builder referencing this template will break.