Use Data Routes to automatically send remote and uploaded files like images and PDFs with your merged documents. Utilize Formstack Documents and the Formstack Forms app to create a seamless experience, here's how!
Part 1: Set up a Data Route
Step 1: Create a Document Template. Prior to routing data, first set up the Document templates from the Document tab. Select a pre-existing template or choose New Document to add one from an outside source, an example template, or one built from scratch.
Step 2: Create a data route. From the Data Routing tab, select an existing data route or click New Data Route. For a new data route, give it a name to customize the route.
Step 3: Set up the rules. Under the Rules tab, select the documents to send the data to.
Note: You can re-order the rules (important if you are combining documents) by hovering over the right corner of each rule and dragging the handle.
Rule 1: Add the created document and select “Include in combined PDF.”
Rule 2: This will include an uploaded file to add as a page on a generated Document. Select “Other Remote File” from the bottom of the page.
Then add a merge field for the URL: {$file_Url} or you can enter a static URL (the same URL every time). Select “Include in combined PDF.”
This merge field does not need to exist in the document template and can be completely new/unique.
Step 4: Set up the delivery. Choose where you would like to receive the files ie: an email or to your cloud storage.
Please note - When establishing a data route, it is suggested to refrain from adding deliveries on individual documents within that route. Instead, create the delivery solely within the data route itself. Generating deliveries in both the document and the data route may lead to duplicate merges.
Step 5: Map the uploaded file.
Part 2: Connect to Formstack Forms
Step 1: From the Formstack Forms app, create a new form or select an existing form.
Step 2: Add form fields including a File Upload field.
Step 3: Integrate the form with Formstack Documents. From the Settings tab, select Integrations > Add Integration.
Step 4: Choose the Document template to populate the template's content.
Step 5: Map the Formstack Form fields to the Document fields.
Step 6: Turn on the integration.
Step 7: Test by filling out the live form. Once the form has been completed, the Documents Overview tab will display the test under Recent Merges and an email will be sent (if this delivery method was selected) with a PDF file of the combined two pages.
Have any further questions? We’re here to help! Please reach out to support@formstack.com for additional assistance with your use case.