Template Creation Wizard
The Template Creation Wizard guides you through uploading and configuring a DOCX template in three steps. Your template controls how exported transcripts look — cover page, fonts, margins, headers, and footers.
Getting Started
Go to Dashboard → Templates → Create Template to launch the wizard.
Step 1: Upload Your Template
Select Your File
Drag and drop a .DOCX file onto the upload area, or click Browse Files to select one from your computer.
Wait for Processing
HeyDonna validates your file and automatically detects:
- Template sections (cover page, proceedings, certificate)
- Placeholder locations
- Page layout settings (margins, line spacing, font size)
Only .DOCX files are supported. The file must be under 10 MB. PDF and other formats cannot be used as templates.
Step 2: Review Template
After upload, you'll see your template in an editor view with detected placeholders highlighted as colored chips.
What You Can Do
- Click a placeholder chip to select or rename it
- Add new placeholders by typing the placeholder name in double curly braces anywhere in the document (e.g., type
CASE_NAMEsurrounded by double curly braces) - Review detected settings in the sidebar — lines per page, margins, line spacing, and font size
- Save your template with Cmd+S (Ctrl+S on Windows) or the Save button
Common Placeholders
| Placeholder | What It Fills In |
|---|---|
| TRANSCRIPT | Your transcript content (required) |
| CASE_NAME | Full case name from project details |
| CASE_NUMBER | Case or docket number |
| DATE | Proceeding date |
| LOCATION | Venue or location |
| COURT_REPORTER | Your name |
| WITNESS_NAME | Current witness name |
The TRANSCRIPT placeholder is required — it tells HeyDonna where to insert the transcript body. Place it on its own paragraph in the proceedings section of your template.
Step 3: Formatting Rules (Optional)
The final step lets you customize how AI formats your transcript when using this template.
- Left panel — Shows the effective formatting rules (defaults plus your overrides)
- Right panel — Chat interface where you can describe formatting changes in plain English
This step is optional. If your firm's formatting matches the defaults, you can skip straight to Finish.
See Formatting Rules Editor for details on customizing rules.
After Creation
Once you finish the wizard:
- Your template appears in the Templates list on your dashboard
- You can attach it to any Legal project
- When you export a project with this template, HeyDonna fills in your transcript content and project details automatically
Tips
- Start with your firm's existing Word template — the one you already use for filings
- Make sure your template has the TRANSCRIPT placeholder in the proceedings section
- You can edit templates later from the Templates page — you don't have to get everything perfect in the wizard