> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docsautomator.co/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates Overview

> Choose the right template type for your document automation — Google Docs, PDF, or native Word (.docx)

DocsAutomator supports multiple template types so you can pick the best fit for your documents.

<Note>
  **New: [AI Template Generator (Beta)](/features/ai-template-generator)** — Don't want to build a template from scratch? Describe what you need and AI creates a complete Google Doc template with proper placeholder syntax, formatting, and layout.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/docsautomator/_6yOiGZxVT7AuuzV/images/quickstart/template-type-selection.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_6yOiGZxVT7AuuzV&q=85&s=30090c1a7b5591548dd655e9d97444d3" alt="Template type selection: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Upload an existing PDF" width="2848" height="1602" data-path="images/quickstart/template-type-selection.png" />
</Frame>

## Template Types

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Google Doc" icon="file-lines" href="/docsautomator-basics/google-doc-template-guide">
    Create templates directly in Google Docs using `{{ placeholder }}` syntax.
    Best for dynamic content with variable-length sections, line items, and
    conditional content.
  </Card>

  <Card title="PDF" icon="file-pdf" href="/docsautomator-basics/pdf-template-guide">
    Upload an existing PDF and use the visual editor to position data fields on
    top. Best for fixed-layout documents like tax forms, branded designs, or
    government docs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Word (.docx)" icon="file-word" href="/docsautomator-basics/word-template-guide">
    Use a native Word file as your template with the same `{{ placeholder }}`
    syntax as Google Docs. Stays a `.docx` for its whole life and renders
    straight to PDF. Best when your team designs documents in Microsoft Word.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Which Should I Use?

|                                                        | Google Doc | PDF | Word (.docx)       |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ---------- | --- | ------------------ |
| **Dynamic content** (variable-length text, line items) | Yes        | No  | Yes                |
| **Fixed layout** (exact positioning)                   | No         | Yes | No                 |
| **Line items & repeating rows**                        | Yes        | No  | Yes (single level) |
| **Nested (multi-level) line items**                    | Yes        | No  | No                 |
| **Conditional content** (show/hide sections)           | Yes        | No  | Yes                |
| **E-signatures**                                       | Yes        | Yes | Yes                |
| **Pixel-perfect design**                               | No         | Yes | No                 |
| **Edit in Microsoft Word**                             | No         | No  | Yes                |

<Tip>
  If you're not sure, start with a **Google Doc template** — it's the most
  flexible option and supports all of DocsAutomator's advanced features like
  line items, conditional content, and e-signatures.
</Tip>