Creating a New Document Type

14/01/2026
Knowledge

How To

Document types ensure that your standard templates have uniform formatting. These include your firm's logo and contact details on all outgoing documents.

Desktop
Web

Create a New Document Type

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.

The Create Document window will open.
Click to create a new Word Document Type.

If you would like to create a new Excel Document Type, click the drop-down arrow on then select New Excel Document Type.

You can also right-click an existing Document Type then select New > Word Document Type or Excel Document Type.

A new Word document or Excel spreadsheet will open in a new window.
For new Word document types, it is recommended to create a Body bookmark as content of a precedent are entered within the bookmark and any changes made to the Document Type will not affect the precedent.
1. From the Word document, highlight a section of the document, usually between the RE Line and Signature.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click Bookmark from Links section. The Bookmark window will open.
4. Enter Body as the Bookmark name.
5. Click Add.
6. Close the Bookmark window.
Complete the document or spreadsheet then click Save & Close.
Enter the name of the new document type then click OK.

Click to edit heading

For information regarding Creating a Document /Letter for your Matter, click here and for information regarding Creating a New Precedent in Forms & Precedents, click here.

Click to edit heading

Please note that it is not possible to create a new document type while editing a Recurring Matter Template.

Duplicate and Edit a Document Type

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.

The Create Document window will open.
Right-click an existing Document Type then select Duplicate and Edit.

The Word document or Excel spreadsheet will open.
Complete the document or spreadsheet then click Save & Close.
Enter the name of the new document type then click OK.

Edit an Existing Document Type

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.

The Create Document window will open.
Right-click a Document Type then select Edit.

The Word document or Excel spreadsheet will open.
Make the necessary changes, e.g. header, footer and signature.

You can edit the document's style to reflect on your precedents:
- From the document, click the Home tab.
- Right-click on the Normal style in the Styles section then select Modify. The Modify Style window will open.
- Make the necessary changes, e.g. font, font size, colour and other formatting.
- Click OK.
Click Save & Close.
Enter a Reason for Change then click OK.

Use a Different Template for a Document Type

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.

The Create Document window will open.
Right-click a Document Type then select Change Template.

The Select Template window will open.
Select the template then click Select.

To reset to default, click Default.

Create a New Document Type

Click to edit heading

This feature is only available when using Microsoft Office Desktop.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.

The New Document window will open.
Click .

A new document will open in Microsoft Word.
For new Word document types, it is recommended to create a Body bookmark as content of a precedent are entered within the bookmark and any changes made to the Document Type will not affect the precedent.
1. From the Word document, highlight a section of the document, usually between the RE Line and Signature.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click Bookmark from Links section. The Bookmark window will open.
4. Enter Body as the Bookmark name.
5. Click Add.
6. Close the Bookmark window.
Complete the document then click Save & Close.
Enter the name of the new document type then click OK.

Edit an Existing Document Type

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Click New Document.
The New Document window will open.
Right-click an existing Document Type then select either Modify in Word or Modify in Word Online.
Make the necessary changes then click Save & Close.
Enter a Reason for Change then click OK.

Last Modified Date

14/01/2026 7:13 pm

Title

Creating a New Document Type

URL Name

Creating-a-New-Document-Type-NZ

Resolution