> 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/template/item-updates.md).

# Item Updates

## Working with item update template

Use the instructions from this article to create a Microsoft Word (docx) template from scratch or download our item update template here: 

{% file src="/files/Ql4iykZ9k6TxrHvDkoYL" %}

This is what the Item Update template looks like as a PDF:

<figure><img src="/files/ooy00bKieTSTE3l6P7P7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This is what the structure looks like:

<figure><img src="/files/OaUmzkm9Ps2bB5iSapVM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Create a template & table from scratch

Insert a table in Microsoft Word (or Google Docs). Usually, you only need two rows: one for the headings and one for the placeholders.

The second row (left column) needs to start with the placeholder **`{{TableStart:Updates}}`** and ends (right column) with **`{{TableEnd:Updates}}`**\
The second row will automatically replicate itself by the numbers of subitems in the exported PDF.<br>

In between, insert the placeholders you want to use in your final document:

* **`{{OnlyDate}}`** -> 24/12/2025
* **`{{Date}}`** -> 24/12/2025 13:30
* **`{{User}}`** -> John Doe
* **`{{Body}}`** -> Update Text (plain text)
* **`{{Body_Html}}`** -> Update Text (with HTML and images)

This is an example of how the structure looks like:

<figure><img src="/files/0xJtW4nH2ImcMQSrNtgO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Result on the final PDF:

<figure><img src="/files/F8odwXmmna1NcENybqAk" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Subitem Updates

If you want to output the updates for all subitems as well, you can use the same logic, but wrap everything between **`{{TableStart:Subitems}}`** and **`{{TableEnd:Subitems}}`**

DocExport will automatically generate a table for each subitem to make it clear and structured.

The table looks like this:

<figure><img src="/files/GotBBeKXtOdRRz9eCq4v" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Result on the final PDF:

<figure><img src="/files/xLTu7eY3zcvG8bJR7FKs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Item updates without table

You can also generate updates without a table using this structure:

**`{{TableStart:Updates}}`**\
**Update from `{{Date}}`  by `{{User}}`**\
\&#xNAN;**`{{Body}}`**\
\&#xNAN;**`{{TableEnd:Updates}}`**

If you have two updates in your item, the result would look like this:

**Update from 19/01/2025 09:03 by John Doe**\
@Jane Smith Yes, DocExport is the most advanced generator in the marketplace.

**Update from 18/01/2025 13:35 by Jane Smith**\
Any recommendations for a good PDF Generator for monday.com?

## Updates with replies

This is the syntax if you want to include the replies for item updates as well:

**`{{TableStart:UpdatesWithReplies}}`**\
\&#xNAN;**`{{Indent}}`** Update from **`{{OnlyDate}}`** by **`{{User}}`**\
\&#xNAN;**`{{Body_Html_Indent}}`**\
\&#xNAN;**`{{TableEnd:UpdatesWithReplies}}`**

## Include only the newest item update

If you only want to include the newest update (the first in the update list) in your documents, you don't need to create a "Table:Start/Table:End" loop.

Insert these placeholders anywhere in your template:

* **`{{FirstUpdate.Body_Html}}`** -> Update Text (with HTML and images)
* **`{{FirstUpdate.Body}}`** -> Update Text (plain text)
* **`{{FirstUpdate.Date}}`** -> 24/12/2025
* **`{{FirstUpdate.Date | MM/dd/yyyy}}`** -> 12/24/2025 (learn more about [Date Formatting](/template/customization/format-date-and-time.md))
* **`{{FirstUpdate.Date | dd.MM.yyyy}}`** -> 24.12.2025 (learn more about [Date Formatting](/template/customization/format-date-and-time.md))
* **`{{FirstUpdate.User}}`** -> John Doe (user who created the last update)
* **`{{Image(15;0):Update.UserSmall}}`** -> Profile picture\
  The "15" defines the width of the profile picture in pixels. Change it to make the size larger or smaller.&#x20;

You can also load the oldest update by replacing "First" with "Last" in placeholders. For example: **`{{LastUpdate.Body}}`**

This will return the last update in your item update list.