---
title: "Optionally remove paragraphs"
description: "The article explains how to use Docmosis optional paragraph fields. Using the op: prefix on a field, Docmosis removes the entire paragraph when the field has no data or is blank. This is useful for avoiding blank address lines, removing conditional sentences or blocks, and keeping numbered or bullet lists clean when optional items are omitted."
canonical_url: "https://resources.docmosis.com/template-tutorials/optionally-remove-paragraphs"
last_reviewed: 2024-12-16
---

# Optionally remove paragraphs

An optional paragraph field is just like a normal field, except, if there is no data for that field, the entire paragraph containing the field is removed.

## Field prefixes

Docmosis provides a shorthand way of changing the behaviour of a field, by applying a prefix to a field.

The prefix is typically two characters followed by either a colon or an underscore.

Later tutorials describe the different prefixes and how to define: conditional sections, repeating sections and so on.

## Defining optional paragraphs

To create an optional paragraph field, add the "op:" prefix to a field as below.

This prefix changes the behaviour of the field such that, if no data is supplied for "name", or if the data is blank, the paragraph containing the field is removed and the content below moves up the page.

> **TIP**: The optional paragraph is useful when creating address blocks to avoid blank lines when there is no data. [Example Template \- Offer Letter Template](/example-templates/offer-letter-template-for-document-generation) uses <<op:addressLine2>> to remove potential blank lines in an address block.

### Removing entire paragraphs

When an optional paragraph has surrounding static content, the entire paragraph, including all content from the start of the paragraph up to and including its end marker (¶), is removed.

> **TIP**: The optional paragraph is useful where a block content needs to be removed because there is no data needed in the context of that block. [Example Template \- Course Completion Letter](/example-templates/generate-course-completion-letters-from-template) uses <<op:awardName>> to optionally remove a sentence in a letter.

### Optional paragraphs in lists

When an optional paragraph is combined with numbered or bullet lists, the list adjusts automatically if the item with the optional paragraph field is removed.

> **TIP**: The optional paragraph is useful where fields are preceded by labels (eg: "Weight:") or followed by trailing units (eg: "KG"). In the [Example Template \- Bill Of Lading Template](/example-templates/template-for-generating-bill-of-lading), the op: prefix is used to optionally remove the measurement units “KG” and “M³”.

###

# Optionally remove paragraphs - related json data

```json
{
  "name": "",
  "secondPoint": "",
  "inlineValue": ""
}
```

# Optionally remove paragraphs - example template syntax

```docmosis
# Optional Paragraphs

Before

<<name>>

After

Before

<<name>>

After

1. The first point.
2. The second point <<op:secondPoint>>.
3. The third point.

Before

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Ad voluptatibus commodi a minus modi ut facilis alias. In <<op:inlineValue>> error dolore enim.

After
```