"I’ve added a signature field to my form, but it doesn’t appear in the generated PDF. Do I need to map it manually into the print template, or is there an easier way?"
When you add a Signature block in your Clappia form, the signature data will not automatically appear in the generated PDF unless it is included in the print template. You do need to map the signature field manually into your print template to get it displayed on the PDF. This is done by inserting the correct variable placeholder for the signature block within your PDF template using Clappia's dynamic printing feature.
How Signature Fields Work in Clappia
- Signature Block: This block captures digital signatures within your app submissions, allowing users to sign forms, contracts, or receipts electronically. Learn more about the Signature Block.
- Storage of Signature Data: The signature captured is stored as image data linked to the form submission.
- Print Templates: Clappia uses customized print templates to generate PDFs by merging template documents with dynamic values (including text fields, images, and signatures) captured by the form submission. See Print Settings - Configure PDFs for details.
How to Map Signature Fields into PDF Print Templates
- Create or Edit a Print Template:
- Insert Signature Variable:
- Within the PDF editor, locate the place where you want the digital signature to appear.
- Use the "Insert Field Name to Insert" dropdown to select your signature field from the form fields.
- The system inserts a placeholder variable (e.g.,
{signature_field_name}) representing the signature image.
- Save the Template: Save your changes to include signatures in future PDFs generated from submissions.
Practical Use Cases for Signature Fields in PDFs
- Contract Signing: Capture client or employee signatures within forms and include them automatically in contract PDFs generated for records. Automate this as part of your process with Clappia Workflows.
- Delivery Confirmations: Drivers or delivery agents sign upon delivery, and the signature appears on receipt PDFs sent to customers or stored internally. Enhance delivery tracking with the Delivery Confirmation App.
- Approval Forms: Digital signatures from managers or staff can be captured and embedded in reports or approval letters generated via PDF. Boost your approval process efficiency using automated workflows.
Advanced Configuration Options
- Signature Editing Control: Use the Signature block settings to enable or disable allowing users to modify the signature after signing.
- Conditional Display: Configure formulas in the print template to show or hide the signature image based on other submission data or statuses. Learn about advanced conditional formatting in Print Template Configuration.
- Multiple Sections: If your form has multiple sections, specify the section index while inserting the signature field variable to pull the correct data. See insights on handling multiple sections in Clappia apps.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Signature Not Showing in PDF: Ensure the signature field variable is correctly inserted in the print template and save the template after changes. Review the detailed setup in Print Settings - Configure PDFs.
- Incorrect Image Rendering: Confirm that you selected the signature field and not a text field while inserting the variable. Tips on accurate variable insertion are covered in Dynamic Printing of Images.
- Multiple Signatures Missing: Check if you have added signature fields from all relevant sections and mapped each one in the template with the proper section index.
Best Practices for Implementation
- Plan your PDF Layout: Design your print template with placeholder positions where signature images fit well and don’t disrupt other content. Gain tips on effective PDF design from Simplifying Document Generation with Clappia's PDF Creation Feature.
- Test with Sample Submissions: Submit test forms with signatures and preview PDFs to verify correct placement and rendering before going live. Testing best practices can be found in Best Dynamic Document Generation Tool.
- Maintain Template Updates: When adding or modifying signature fields in the form, remember to update your print template accordingly to avoid missing data.
Conclusion
To display digital signatures captured via the Signature block in your Clappia app on PDFs, you need to manually map the signature field as a variable in your print template. Clappia’s dynamic printing feature supports including signature images by inserting the appropriate placeholder variables into your PDF design. This manual mapping step ensures that signatures appear exactly where and how you want them on the generated documents.
Related Resources & Further Reading
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