> 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/item-vs-board-level.md).

# Item Level vs. Board Level

DocExport always creates one of two document types. Choosing the right one upfront decides **which placeholders you use in your .docx template** and **how you can generate the PDF** - so it's worth getting this right before you build a template.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Quick rule:** Does your document describe **one item** or **a list of many**?

* One item (one client, one order, one task) → **Item Level**
* A table of many items (all tasks, all deals) → **Board Level**
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/EEjaqZ6doJBnzUP1XSwY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Which one do I need?

|                        | Item Level                                                                                              | Board Level                                                                                               |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What it contains**   | The data of **a single item** from your board                                                           | The **whole board** or specific columns (or filtered items) as a **table/list**                           |
| **Typical use cases**  | Contract, proposal, quote, invoice, certificate, letter, NDA                                            | Project report, timesheet, product/service list, lead pipeline, weekly status                             |
| **Placeholder style**  | `{{Item.ColumnTitle}}`                                                                                  | Word **merge tables** with `{{TableStart:Items}}` … `{{TableEnd:Items}}`, together with `{{ColumnTitle}}` |
| **Typical automation** | On a **button click** - generate the document for that one item by clicking a button in your board view | On a **schedule** - e.g. email the report every Monday                                                    |

For the exact placeholders of each type, see the[ Item Level](/getting-started/item-level-template.md) and [Board Level](/getting-started/board-level-template.md) pages, or browse the full [Placeholder Directory](/template/placeholder-directory.md).

### A few examples

* **Item Level:** "Send this one client their contract." / "Create the invoice for this order." / "Generate a certificate for this attendee."
* **Board Level:** "Export all overdue tasks grouped by status." / "A weekly report of every deal in the pipeline." / "A product list of all warehouse items."

{% hint style="success" %}
**Mixing both is possible.** You can pull a table from **another board** into an item document, and you can **filter** a board document down to specific items. But the *base type* is always decided by the question above.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Working with subitems?** There's a third type for documents built from a single **subitem,** for example product labels or shipping labels. See [Subitem Level template](/getting-started/item-level-template/subitem-level.md).&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Next step

Pick your path and follow it end to end:

* ➡️ [Item Level from A–Z](/getting-started/item-level-template.md)
* ➡️ [Board Level from A–Z](/getting-started/board-level-template.md)