Supported Levels
| Level | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Parent) | Main items from your line items table | Products |
| Level 2 (Child) | Items from a linked table within Level 1 | Components |
| Level 3 (Grandchild) | Items from a linked table within Level 2 | Specifications |
Currently available for Airtable or DocsAutomator’s API. Requires linked record fields connecting your tables.
Placeholder Format
Each nesting tier uses a specific prefix structure:| Level | Prefix | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Parent) | {{line_items_N}} | {{line_items_1}}{{product_name}} |
| Level 2 (Child) | {{line_items_N_1}} | {{line_items_1_1}}{{component}} |
| Level 3 (Grandchild) | {{line_items_N_2}} | {{line_items_1_2}}{{specification}} |
Setup Steps
Configure Data Source
- Navigate to automation settings
- Under Line Items, select your primary linked field (Level 1)
- Click ”+ Add Level 2” to select a linked field from your Level 1 table
- Click ”+ Add Level 3” to select a linked field from your Level 2 table
Key Features
Different Column Counts Per Level
Different Column Counts Per Level
Each nesting level can have a different number of columns. DocsAutomator automatically handles this by merging cells when a nested row has fewer columns than its parent.
Auto-Numbering
Auto-Numbering
Enable “Add auto row numbers” in line item settings for hierarchical number generation (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.1.1).
Sorting
Sorting
Configure sorting independently for each nesting level with “smart sort labels” indicating direction (ascending/descending for numbers, dates, and text).
Use Cases
Invoice with Services
Services → Tasks → Subtasks
Bill of Materials
Products → Components → Parts
Project Report
Phases → Milestones → Deliverables
Best Practices
- Use Airtable views for consistent sorting
- Test with small datasets before large batches
- Design columns so nested rows align logically with parents
- Use clear, meaningful field names for easier maintenance
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Nested rows not appearing | Verify linked record fields contain data; check that Level 2/3 linked fields are selected in DocsAutomator; ensure placeholders use correct prefixes |
| Wrong nesting order | Check Airtable view sorting; configure sorting in DocsAutomator’s line item settings |
| Merged cells misaligned | Ensure template table has correct column count; verify each level’s placeholders are in separate rows |