> ## 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.

# Nested Line Items

> Create hierarchical data structures with up to 3 levels of nesting

This feature enables hierarchical data presentation across up to 3 levels of nesting, ideal for invoices with services and tasks, bills of materials, or any parent-child-grandchild data structure.

<Frame>
  <iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hb45iiJ5vTk" title="Nested Line Items Overview" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
</Frame>

## 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 |

<Note>
  Currently available for Airtable or DocsAutomator's API. Requires linked record fields connecting your tables.
</Note>

## 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}}` |

Where N represents the line item table number (1, 2, 3, etc.).

## Setup Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure Data Source">
    1. Navigate to automation settings
    2. Under Line Items, select your primary linked field (Level 1)
    3. Click "+ Add Level 2" to select a linked field from your Level 1 table
    4. Click "+ Add Level 3" to select a linked field from your Level 2 table
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Template">
    Using the Template Editor:

    1. Click "Add Line Items" in the sidebar
    2. Configure Level 1 (Parent) columns
    3. Click "+ Add Nested Level" for Level 2
    4. Configure Level 2 (Child) columns
    5. Click "+ Add Nested Level" for Level 3 (optional)
    6. Click "Add Line Items" to insert the table
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Different Column Counts Per Level" icon="table-columns">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Auto-Numbering" icon="hashtag">
    Enable "Add auto row numbers" in line item settings for hierarchical number generation (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.1.1).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sorting" icon="sort">
    Configure sorting independently for each nesting level with "smart sort labels" indicating direction (ascending/descending for numbers, dates, and text).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Invoice with Services" icon="file-invoice">
    Services → Tasks → Subtasks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bill of Materials" icon="boxes-stacked">
    Products → Components → Parts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Project Report" icon="diagram-project">
    Phases → Milestones → Deliverables
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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                                                |