Printable Template Tab in Construction Quotations and Contracts

The Printable Template tab on the Construction Quotation page displays the document in the default printable template, so you can check it exactly as the client will see it without opening a print preview or downloading it.

Long Documents

• The page extends to show the full document below a fixed header, just like the Project page.
• The system loads only the template data, so the tab opens quickly even for large documents (Cost Sheets with 1000 work items).

Printing and Sending

• The tab is for viewing only; to print or get a PDF, use Printables.
• The same template is attached when you use Send Email.

Permissions and Requirements

• The Construction app is enabled.
• Permission to view the document (Show all, or only your own).
• At least one printable template for the document type.

How the System Chooses the Template

1. It collects the custom printable templates for the document, followed by the system templates, in their set order.
2. It picks the first template in your account language (Arabic or English).
3. If it doesn’t find a template in the account language, it picks the first template in the list.
4. It displays the template in the tab as a web page, using the document’s current data.

Common Issues

Issue	Reason	Solution
The tab doesn’t appear	There is no printable template for the document	Create or enable a template
The wrong template appears	Another template is first in the list	Create a custom template in the account language
The template is in a different language	There is no template in the account language	Create a template in the account language
A long document requires scrolling	This is normal; the header stays fixed and the document extends below it	Scroll down

Performance

• The system loads only the fields and relations that the template uses.
• This optimization covers Bids, Cost Sheets, Construction Quotations, Contracts, and Payment Certificates.
• It works automatically with no setup required, and it automatically falls back to the previous method for any template that can’t be analyzed.

The Tab, the Printables Menu, and the Email Attachment

Tool	What it does	Which template it uses
Printable Template tab	Displays the Construction Quotation within the page for a quick review	The first template in the account language
Printables menu	Lists all available printable templates and opens the template page so you can print or download a PDF	The template you select
Send Email attachment	Attaches a PDF to the message	The first template in Printables

Manage Printable Templates

1. Open Printable Templates for Construction Quotations.
2. The system templates and the custom templates for the document type appear.
3. Copy a system template to use as a starting point, or create a new template, and choose its language.
4. Edit the design and variables, and then save.
5. Enable or disable the template from the list; a disabled template doesn’t appear in Printables or in the tab.
6. Open the quotation from Construction Quotations and verify that the tab shows your template.

Special Cases

• If you have a custom template in English only and your account is in Arabic, the first Arabic system template is shown, because language takes priority over order.
• If there are no templates in the account language, the first template in the list is shown, regardless of its language.
• The tab shows an HTML version of the template, so page breaks may differ slightly from the printed PDF file.
• Deleting or disabling all printable templates hides the tab and leaves the email attachment empty.

What the Quotation Tab Shows

• It displays the Construction Quotation in the Document – Construction Quotation, Table – Construction Quotation, or Form – Construction Quotation template, depending on order and language, or in your custom template.
• It usually includes the client, project, and bid details, the items, and the total, depending on the template design.
• It’s useful before approving or sending the quotation, to confirm how the document looks.

The Tab, the Printables Menu, and the Email Attachment

Tool	What It Does	Which Template It Uses
Printable Template tab	Shows the contract right on the page for a quick review	The first template in the account language
Printables menu	Lists all available printable templates and opens the template page so you can print or download a PDF	The template you select
Send Email attachment	Attaches a PDF to the message	The first template in Printables

Manage Printable Templates

1. Open Contract Printable Templates.
2. You see the System Templates and the custom templates for this document type.
3. Copy a system template to use as a starting point, or create a new template, and choose its language.
4. Edit the design and variables, then save.
5. Activate or deactivate the template from the list. A deactivated template doesn’t appear in Printables or in the tab.
6. Open the contract from Contracts and verify that the tab shows your template.

What the Contract Tab Shows

• It shows the contract using the contract template, including the client details, project, contract value, and work items, based on the template design.
• The other contract tabs stay the same: Details, Work Items, Advance Payment Invoices, and Activity Log.
• Large contracts with many work items open quickly because the system loads only the template data.

How It Differs from the Quotation Tab

• The tab follows the same rules described in “Guide to the Printable Template Tab on the Construction Quotation Page”, but it uses contract printable templates.
• It appears next to the other contract tabs and isn’t affected by the contract status.

Error Messages and Solutions

Message	Reason	Solution
The tab doesn’t appear	There is no printable template.	Create a template from Construction Quotation Printable Templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the template that’s displayed?

Create a custom template.

Does the tab print?

No.

Is it affected by the account language?

Yes, with system templates.

Does it require a special permission?

Only the permission to view the document.

Does it update after edits?

Yes. It shows the current data.

Can I choose a different template from within the tab?

No. The tab shows only the default template. To view a different template, select it from the Printables menu.

Can employees see the tab?

Yes, anyone with permission to view the document can see it.

Is the tab available in Bids and Cost Sheets?

No. It’s available in Construction Quotations, Contracts, and Payment Certificates, while the performance improvement also covers Bids and Cost Sheets.

Does the tab appear on draft documents?

Yes, whenever a printable template exists, regardless of the status.

Why does the template appear in English?

There’s no template in the account language, so the first available template is shown.