documents - templates - cherry pick panel

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Overview

The Cherry Pick Panel opens every time you generate a Document from a Template and allows you to Review Data Sources. 

It displays the records and field values that will go into the generated Document, so you can check the data, remove records you do not want, and edit all the data included in the template, before the Document is generated.

It allows you to:

  • Confirm which records are included.
  • Remove the records you do not want to include in the document.
  • Check pre-filled values, such as client details and the today date, before they are merged.
  • Enter Manual Input values included in the template for you to complete.
  • Pick a Header/Footer template for the document.
  • Review signer details when the template creates an envelope for signature.
i
 NOTE: All the changes you make in the Cherry Pick Panel will only be applied to the document you are generating. They will not update the Template or data stored on the Project, Lead, or Contact.


 

Prerequisites & Dependencies

You need to consider these three items before the panel can open:

  • A published template. A Word template built and published with the Word Add-in, or a PDF Form template. See more about templates: Documents - Templates - Overview.

  • Related Records: Ensure that the selected context (Project, Lead, or Contact) contains the records needed for document generation. The Cherry Pick Panel retrieves information from records associated with that context to populate the document.

     

How to Review records and values in the Cherry Pick Panel:

The sections below explain the available options for reviewing and adjusting the document values before generation. Not all steps are required; follow the ones that meet your document configuration.

  • Step 1: Open the Cherry Pick Panel.
  • Step 2: Review records and values.
  • Step 3: Remove Records.
  • Step 4: Edit Values.
  • Step 5: Fill in Manual Inputs.
  • Step 6: Choose a Header.
  • Step 7: Generate the Document.

 

Step 1: Open the Cherry Pick Panel

  1. Login to Neostella.
  2. Navigate to Cases.
  3. Open the Project, Lead, or Contact you want to generate a Document in.
  4. Go to the view or tab where the Document Creation button is placed. 
  5. Click the Generate Document button. This will open the Cherry Pick Panel.
  6. Wait for the Cherry Pick Panel to load and display the data included in the template.

*Reference image of the Cherry Pick Panel.

i 
 NOTE: The document is not created yet. Nothing is generated until you generate the Document.


 

Step 2: Review records and values

The Cherry Pick Panel groups the data by object. 

Each object shows its label from the template, such as Client or Expense, as well as the name of each record that will be used, for example John Snow or Physical Therapy.

  • Single-record objects are fixed. 

They show no remove option because the document needs that record.

*Reference image showing a single-record object.

  • Multi-record objects list every Record, each with its own remove option. 

Use this tool to leave out records that do not belong in the document. For example, medical bills that are still in dispute.


*Reference image showing a Multi-record objects list.

  • Pre-filled values come from the record you started from and its related records.
     

System variables such as TODAY and the context email are filled in too.

*Reference image showing a Pre-filled value.

 

Step 3: Remove Records

  1. Once the Cherry Pick Panel loads and displays the data included in the Template, find the object and select it. This will display the records related to that object.
  2. Look for the field you want to remove and deselect the check box next to the record.
  3. Repeat for any other records you want to leave out.
i 
 NOTE: Multiobjects, such as the one displayed on the following image, cannot be edited. You could only select or deselect them to be included on the Document that will be generated.


 

Check Box.gif

*Reference GIF showing the checkbox of a record being deselected, this will remove the record from the generated Document.

 

Step 4:  Edit values 

You can change a field value in the panel when the stored data is wrong or needs different wording for this document. 

For example, you can correct a misspelled client name in a letter without waiting for someone to update the Project.

  1. Find the Field you want to edit in the panel.
  2. Select the value or content in the field.
  3. Type or paste the new content to edit it.
  4. You can edit as many fields before generating the Document.
Fiel Update.gif

*Reference GIF showing a Field Value being edited.

i 
 NOTE: The edited value is used only in this document. The Project, Lead, or Contact keeps its original value, so fix the source record too if the data is wrong there.


 

Step 5:  Fill in Manual Inputs

Manual Inputs are values that are not stored in Neostella. They must be entered by the user generating a document. 

Template authors add them in the Word Add-in or the PDF Form builder. 

Typical examples are a settlement offer amount, a response deadline, or the name of the adjuster on a call.

The panel lists each Manual Input by name:

  • Free text inputs show a text box. Type the value.
  • Inputs with options show a dropdown. Pick one of the options the author set.
Manual Filling.gif

*Reference GIF showing a Manual Field being filled.

i 
 NOTE: You can leave a Manual Input blank. The document is still generated and that spot is left empty.


 

Step 6:  Choose a Header/Footer

Header/Footer templates hold the firm's letterhead, office address, or page footer, separate from the document body. The panel shows this section only if your firm has at least one Header/Footer template.

  1. Check the Header/Footer selection field in the upper right corner of the panel. The one displayed is the preselected for this template.
  2. To use a different one, click the list to display the available options.
  3. Choose a Header/Footer from the list.
  4. Review the Header/Footer fields before generating the Document. 

They are pre-filled from the record where values exist, and you can edit them as  any other field.

i 
 NOTE: The Header/Footer option appears only when it is enabled in the Document Creation Button component.


 

*Reference image showing the Header/Footer selector.

Step 7: Generate the Document

Once you have reviewed, edited or removed the fields that will be included in the document, click the GENERATE DOCUMENT Button. 

  • Neostella generates the document with only the records left in the panel and the values shown there.
  • The file name follows the naming rule set in the template, if the author has defined one.
  • You get a notification when the document is ready, with a link to open it. If generation fails, you get a failure notification instead.
  • The newly generated document will be saved in the Documents section of the associated Project.
  • For envelopes, a progress indicator shows each step: Creating Envelope, Generating Documents, and Sending Envelope. Then, signers get their signature request.
⚠ 
 WARNING: To stop without creating anything, select Cancel. The panel closes, nothing is generated, and your edits in the panel are discarded.


Features & Definitions

The Cherry Pick Panel only displays the sections included in the selected Template. The available sections include:

Section When it appears What you can do
Objects and fields Always Review each object, its records, and their field values. Remove records from objects that have more than one. Edit values.
Manual Inputs The template contains Manual Input tags. Type a value, or pick one from a dropdown if the author sets options.
Header/Footer At least one Header/Footer template exists. Pick a Header/Footer template, or keep the button's default, and review its fields.
Signers The template generates an envelope with signers. Pick the contact for each signer role, edit name, email, and phone, and turn on SMS.
Envelope settings The template generates an envelope. Set reminder notifications and the expiration date.

Notes:

  • Panel edits are one-time. Removed records and edited values apply only to the document you are generating. In case the stored data is wrong, update the Project, Lead, or Contact..
     
  • Automations skip the panel. Documents generated by an automation, including bulk generation, use the stored data as-is. Nobody reviews them in the panel.
     
  • Nested lists are not editable yet. Items inside a list within another list do not appear in the panel. See Edit values before generating the document.
     
  • Missing data. The panel does not flag fields with no value. Check for empty fields before you generate.

  • Template changes. The panel shows the fields from the latest published version of the template.

     

FAQ

  • Does editing a value in the panel change the case data? 
    No. The edit applies only to the document you are generating.
     
  • Why cannot I remove a record? 
    The object has only one record, and the document needs it. You can remove records only from objects with two or more.
     
  • What happens if I remove every record of an object? 
    The panel warns you, and you can still generate it. That section of the document is left without those records.
     
  • Do I have to fill in every Manual Input? 
    No. Blank Manual Inputs are left empty in the document.
     
  • Can I change who signs? 
    Yes. Select a different contact for the signer role, or edit the name, email, and phone directly.
     
  • Why cannot I see the Header/Footer section? 
    Your firm may not have any Header/Footer templates yet. Ask your admin to create one.