# 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.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.docexport.com/template/item-updates.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.