Create your first template

A template is just a regular Google Doc with {{Placeholder}} markers where dynamic values should go. Sheet to PDF reads your Doc, replaces each placeholder with the matching column value from your sheet, and exports as PDF.

1. Create a new Google Doc

Go to docs.google.com and create a blank document. Name it something memorable like "Invoice template" or "Welcome letter template."

2. Add placeholders

Wherever you want a value to appear, type the column name from your sheet wrapped in double curly braces:

Hi {{ClientName}},

Your invoice #{{InvoiceNumber}} is ready. Total: {{Amount}} {{Currency}}.

Best,
Your team

Each {{ColumnName}} must exactly match a column header in row 1 of your sheet (case-sensitive, including spaces and special characters).

3. Style the document

This is where Sheet to PDF shines — your template is a full Google Doc, so you can:

• Use any font (your brand fonts via Google Fonts, custom fonts via upload)
• Add images (logos, signatures, photos)
• Use tables for structured layouts
• Customize headers and footers
• Set page margins, orientation, and size

All formatting is preserved in the generated PDFs.

4. Test it

Add at least one test row to your sheet (e.g., Acme | hi@acme.com | 1250 | EUR), open the sidebar, pick your template, click Generate. Check the resulting PDF carefully.

5. Common patterns

Dates

Dates in your sheet appear as the date string. To format them prettily, use a smart template filter on paid plans:

{{ Date | date:"MMMM dd, yyyy" }}    → May 30, 2026

Currency

By default, the number is shown raw. To format with currency:

{{ Amount | currency:"EUR" }}        → 1250.00 EUR

Default values

If a cell might be empty, give it a fallback:

Address: {{ Address | default:"—" }}

Conditional sections

Hide or show content based on data:

{% if VAT > 0 %}VAT: {{VAT}}€{% endif %}

See the smart templates guide for the full syntax.

6. Save and use it

Google Docs auto-saves. Copy the Doc's URL from the address bar:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AbCdEf.../edit

In the sidebar, click Template doc → paste the URL (or use the Drive picker). Generate.

Browse pre-made templates

If writing one from scratch feels like work, the Sheet to PDF sidebar includes a Templates view with 13 ready-to-use templates:

• Free: Invoice (EU), NDA, Certificate of completion
• Paid: Invoice (US), Quote, Freelance contract, Offer letter, Recommendation, Diploma, Weekly report
• Smart: Smart invoice (auto-hides VAT line), Multi-item quote (loops), Conditional offer (adapts by seniority)

Click any one to copy it to your Drive and use immediately.