Getting started with Cloud

Create an account

If you haven't done so already, start a Cloud trial here.

We suggest you split your investigation into two phases:

1. Firstly, explore the Cloud console.
2. Next, connect your existing systems/software with the API to automatically generate documents.

Phase 1. Exploring the Cloud console

The Cloud console is a convenient web portal that can be used to upload and manage templates/images.

You can experiment with generating documents, using the render feature, without having to use the API.

Start by:

• Exploring the console using the menu down the left of the console.
• From the templates page, select one of the sample templates preloaded to your account and then right-click > Render.
• The render page is provided as simple way of simulating a call to the API.
• From the render page, use the JSON/XML buttons to generate dummy data that matches the template.
• Hit the Render button to generate a document based on the template. The generated document will be downloaded by the browser.
• Download a template and open using an editor on your computer. Make some changes to the template; Save; then upload the modified template file to your account.
• Render the template again to see the changes.
• Start creating and uploading your own templates and generate dummy data to test them.

Phase 2. Generate a document using the API

The Cloud API documentation is available in two places: An online interactive webpage or as a downloadable PDF.

• From the API page of the Cloud Console, locate your API access key and the Base URL for your preferred processing location.  You will need both of these to connect to the API.
• Building a custom software application? Starting with a Code Sample that suits your preferred platform and data format.
• Sending data from a third-party platform? Search the Integrations articles for your platform.
• In your code/integration use the correct combination of the Base URL and the API access key .
• Using email to deliver a generated document is the simplest way to test the render is working as expected. For initial evaluation try setting the storeTo parameter to: "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.". 
• Run the example.

Note: During a trial you can only email documents to yourself.

Next Steps

• Document: Try creating a template from scratch that matches your document.  You can download sample templates and matching data files from the Example Templates and Template Tutorials categories.

• API: Decide on your preferred workflow.  Where is the live data coming from?  How is it structured?  This will determine how you should name the fields in your template.

Please reach out to our Support Team with any questions.