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DocsAutomator provides powerful capabilities for incorporating groups of variable-length data into documents. Line items represent lists of things where the quantity isn’t predetermined—such as invoice line items, conference attendees, or recipe ingredients.
Line Items = Groups of data / lists of things

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Syntax

Line items are declared using the syntax {{line_items_$num}} at the beginning of a table row, with associated variables placed in subsequent cells. 
{{line_items_1}}{{description}}  {{quantity}}  {{price}}

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Data Source Mapping

Data SourceMapping Method
AirtableAutomation interface
NotionRelation property → related pages
Google SheetsLinked sheet selection
SmartSuiteLinked field mapping
GlideWithin Glide interface
NolocoWithin Noloco interface
ZapierZapier configuration
APIArray of objects

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Multiple Line Item Sets

Multiple line item sets can be included by incrementing the number: 
{{line_items_1}}{{description}}  {{quantity}}  {{price}}

{{line_items_2}}{{name}}  {{amount}}
Line item sets must be numbered in correct order (1, 2, 3, etc.).

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Features

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Adding Images in Line Items

Image placeholders use the {{image_name}} prefix and can map single or multiple images: 
{{line_items_1}}{{image_product_photo}}  {{name}}  {{price}}

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Grouping

Line items can be grouped by any variable except images. See Line Items Grouping + Calculations.

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Conditional Display

Rows can be conditionally shown/hidden based on placeholder values through options/gear icons. See Conditional Show/Hide.

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Conditional Styling

Text and rows support dynamic styling based on conditions:
  • Even/odd row alternating colors
  • Custom text formatting
  • Row background colors
See Conditional Styling.

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Constraints

  • Variables must be unique per line item row
  • Line items must occupy entire rows, not partial rows
  • No limit on items passed (users report hundreds to thousands)
  • Each {{line_items_N}} number must be unique across the entire template — even if the tables are in mutually exclusive sections. Reusing the same number (e.g. {{line_items_1}} twice) causes a generation error.

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API Example

When using the API, pass line items as an array of objects inside the data object: 
{
  "docId": "your-automation-id",
  "data": {
    "customer_name": "Acme Corp",
    "invoice_date": "2024-01-15",
    "line_items_1": [
      {
        "description": "Widget A",
        "quantity": 2,
        "unit_price": 10.00,
        "total": 20.00
      },
      {
        "description": "Widget B",
        "quantity": 1,
        "unit_price": 25.00,
        "total": 25.00
      }
    ]
  }
}

Nested Line Items

Create hierarchical data structures

Grouping + Calculations

Group and calculate totals

Auto Row Numbers

Automatic row numbering

Template Guide

Complete template syntax
Last modified on May 26, 2026