Editing a print template (HTML/Handlebars)

This guide shows how to edit a print template by modifying the HTML and Handlebars code that controls how your documents look and what data they display.

Before you start:

• You must have permission to manage print settings (typically available to admin users or those with the "Admin" role).
• You should have basic familiarity with HTML tags (like <div>, <p>, <h1>) and CSS styling (colors, fonts, spacing).
• If you are unsure whether a variable or helper exists in your document type, consult the variables and helpers reference.
• Have a copy of your template saved elsewhere if you are making significant changes; you can always restore the default version if needed.

Steps:

1. Open the Templates page. Go to Settings → Print Templates Open in Usystems.

2. Select the template you want to edit. Click on the name or row of the template (e.g., "Invoice – Default," "Sales Receipt – English," or "Prescription Label").

3. Enter the editor view. The template code opens in the editor, with HTML markup visible on the left and a live preview on the right (if available).

4. Locate the section you want to change. Common edits include:

   • Adding a logo: Look for an <img> tag or a comment like <!-- Logo --> and add or modify it.
   • Changing colors: Find style= attributes or a <style> block and update color values (e.g., color: #333333 or background-color: #ffffff).
   • Adding or removing fields: Add {{field_name}} variables or remove rows of HTML containing unwanted fields.
   • Translating text: Edit any plain English text (like "Invoice #" or "Due Date") to your desired language.

5. Make your edits. Modify the HTML or text as needed. If you are adding a new field, use the Handlebars syntax {{variable_name}} to insert dynamic data (see the variables reference for available options).

6. Preview your changes. If the editor shows a preview pane, you should see your changes reflected immediately. If no preview is visible, save your changes first and then print a test document to see the result.

7. Save your template. Click the Save button. Your changes are now applied to all future prints of this document type.

Tips & common mistakes:

• Don't break the HTML structure. Every opening tag like <div> must have a closing tag </div>. If you remove a tag, remove both the opening and closing parts.
• Use Handlebars for data only. Always use {{variable_name}} for fields from your documents (customer name, invoice number, totals). Never hardcode customer data or assume a value.
• Test with sample data. After saving, print a real document or generate a preview using a test record. This confirms the layout and data are correct before distributing templates to your team.
• Restore if unsure. If your edits cause the template to break or look wrong, use the restore function to revert to the default template and start again.