> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.docexport.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.docexport.com/getting-started/create-templates.md).

# How DocExport works

DocExport turns the data on your monday.com board into finished documents - PDF or Word. Whatever you build, it always follows the **same simple flow**. Once that clicks, everything else in this help center falls into place.

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The whole app comes down to a few beats: **Template → Generate → Download,** then optionally **Distribute** and/or **Automate.**
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/tXCyzZGB7DiR7neu2xMU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### The core flow

1. **Get a template**&#x20;
   1. **Build a template:** a Microsoft Word (`.docx`) file where you mark where your data should appear by using [**placeholders**](/template/placeholder-directory.md)**.**
   2. **Use a predefined template** such as the Board or Item Print - DocExport provides several ready made templates (already available in the app) that will give you your first result within seconds.&#x20;
   3. **Choose a template from our free** [**Template Gallery**](https://www.docexport.com/template-gallery/) as a starting point for your customizations. We created a choice of ready-to-use Microsoft Word (.docx) templates that you can download and adapt to your needs.
2. **Generate** – DocExport fills the template with real data from your board or item and shows a **live preview**.
3. **Download** – save the result as a **PDF** (or Word file).
4. **Distribute & automate** *(optional)* – send it by email, save it to a file column or have it generated automatically on a trigger (e.g. button click or status column change).

That flow is identical for every document, only the details inside each step change depending on the type of document you choose.

### Which document type do you need: Item or Board?

Before you build a template, decide what your document is about:

* **One item** (one client, one order, one task) → **Item Level**
* **Many items as a table** (a report, a list) → **Board Level**
* **Single SubItem** (e.g. a product line or a shipping box) → **Subitem Level**

This choice determines which placeholders you use and how you can generate your documents. Walk through the two main types here: [Item Level vs. Board Level](/getting-started/item-vs-board-level.md).

### Placeholders: the glue

Placeholders are how your document knows which data to pull in. They sit in your Word file inside double curly braces and get replaced with real values when you generate your document:

`{{Item.Status}}` · `{{Due Date}}` · `{{User.name}}` · `{{Board.name}}`

Browse them all in the [Placeholder Directory](/template/placeholder-directory.md).

<figure><img src="/files/LTD9iKWC67L1cI56QYgX" alt=""><figcaption><p>Item Level Example - Event Ticket</p></figcaption></figure>

### Where to start

* **New to DocExport?** → Check out [Item Level vs. Board Level](/getting-started/item-vs-board-level.md), then follow [Item Level from A–Z](/getting-started/item-level-template.md) or [Board Level from A–Z](/getting-started/board-level-template.md).
* **Working with subitems?** → See [Subitem Level from A–Z.](/getting-started/item-level-template/subitem-level.md)
* **Want a quick win?** → start from a ready-made design in the [Template Gallery](https://www.docexport.com/template-gallery/) and /or use the Item or Board Print in DocExport and adapt it.