Inserting Fields into Documents/Precedents

How To

Content controls are individual controls that you can add and customise for use in documents and precedents.

A content control is a field pulling information from the data entered in LEAP.

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Please note that Content Controls are the replacement for legacy Merge Fields in LEAP.
The ability to Insert Legacy Fields into Documents/Precedents was removed from LEAP 2.4.301.1 in August 2023.

Desktop
Web

Using the Design Mode

Microsoft Word’s Design Mode is a handy tool to show/hide the content control codes.

Using this function can assist in document creation. It can also help all users in understanding which data inserts from LEAP. For instance, if the document is missing information, you can use Design Mode to check if the text is using fields.

Open Microsoft Word.
Click File at the top-left corner of Word.

Click Options at the bottom-left corner of Word.

This will launch the Word Options window.
Click the Customize Ribbon tab.
Under the Customize the Ribbon section on the right, tick the Developer checkbox.
Click OK to save.
From the Word ribbon, click the Developer tab.
Click Design Mode.

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Please ensure Design Mode is not selected when you are inserting any fields. Design Mode is only for viewing content control codes.

Understanding Content Control

A content control code is in the following format: Matter.PersonActingFullName.

The first part of the name (Matter) is the Table Type, where the field is pulling the information from.

The second part, after the dot, is the field name itself.

So, in the above example, we are looking at the Person Acting Full Name field on the Matter table.

Field Tags

Fields are prefixed and suffixed to allow for easier searching and filtering, and to group items in similar categories so they appear in alphabetical order, making it easier for you to locate Fields and Calculations, and determining which to use when customising your precedents.

Prefix always appear as a button to the right of the field name in colour.

Examples of common prefixes include [Address], [Card], [Matter], [Grammar].

Suffix always appear below the field name in grey.

Examples of common suffixes include (Multi), (Down), (Across), (Hard Return).

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For a full list of Field prefixing and suffixing, please refer to our article Fields and Calculations used in Precedent Automation here.

Field Preview window to view the value of the Field data prior to use

When you click on a Field or Calculation in the Insert Fields panel, you will see the data value of the Field or Calculation automating directly from the matter you are currently in, displayed in the blue Field Preview window.

This alleviates the need for you to insert the Field into your Word document to see what value it produces, as you will see the data value that will be inserted shown at the bottom of the Insert Fields panel.

This saves valuable time when customising your precedents.

Find Fields Used in a Document

If you wish to insert a specific field—such as a property's address—into a document, please follow the steps below:

Open the matter and check which table type contains the field you would like to insert into a document.

For example, the Property Address field was entered in the Property table of this matter.
From the Details & Correspondence tab, open or create a Word document from the matter.
Within the LEAP document, click on the Editing within the LEAP Word ribbon and select Insert Fields.

This will launch the LEAP Document Automation pane on the right-hand side of your Word document.
Click the Fields tab .
Select the relevant table type that you wish to insert fields from.

For example, select the Property table type from the drop-down filter.
Toggle the Show Hidden Fields option if required.

Use the Search fields function to search or filter the list for the fields you desire.

For example, enter "address" in the search field. You can view the data entered on the matter via the Field Preview below.
Place the cursor in the Word document where you want to insert the field.

From the LEAP Document Automation pane, double-click on the field to insert.

The selected field will be inserted at the cursor's position in the Word document.

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Please note that LEAP is not designed to work with fields inside textboxes which are inside headers. The values will not update.

Inserting Content Fields in a Document/Precedent

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > select Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Make sure you're on the Fields tab .
Under Fields, click the drop-down filter to select the relevant Table Type that you wish to insert fields from. For example: Card or Matter or Property etc.
Use the Search Fields box to search or filter the list for the field(s) you desire.
Toggle the Show Hidden Fields option if required.

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You can collapse and expand the Field Group Tags to easily search for the field you wish to insert.

Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Double-click the field you wish to insert.

The selected field will be inserted at the cursor's position in the document with information populated based on the matter.

Turning on Content Control Field Shading

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Toggle Field Shading.

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If you have disabled the Toggle Field Shading option but a field still appears as shaded, you will need to use the Format Painter option in Word to copy the formatting from plain text and apply it to the field.

Formatting Fields

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Fields can be formatted within your documents. For example, you may wish to change how the date is displayed or if the text is capitalised or not.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
Highlight the field you wish to format.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Format Fields.

The LEAP Format Fields will open in a new window.
In the Field Type section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
In the Format section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
Click OK.

Advanced Coding Types

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As customisation of fields can become quite complicated, what follows is for simple custom fields only. If you need any advanced customisation of your documents or precedents, please contact LEAP.

When there is at least one Question created, the LEAP for Word Add-in will be available through the Add-ins tab at the top of Microsoft Office. It will display all Questions created through the content control tools, as well as a text box to enter the appropriate response.

Inserting a Question Field

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A Question field will ask one in a panel on the right-hand side of your document and insert that answer.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the Questions tab on the left.
Click New.
Enter the Name of the Question which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Type the question into the Text field.
(Optional) Click next to Text Parameter to enter any parameter details.
(Optional) You can make the Question conditional via Condition. You can set a condition to display or hide the question.
- If: Click Select Source to select the condition data source and set the format as needed. Select the comparison option using the dropdown list.
- Then: Select Disable or Hide.
Click the Answer tab and select the Answer Type you wish to create:
- Text Box
- Text Area
- Date
- Checkbox
- Radio Buttons
- Dropdown List
- Checkbox List
- Multi Select Dropdown List
(Optional) Enter the Default Answer Text (if Static is selected as Source) or Default Answer Source (if FromSource is selected as Source).
Click Save.
In your document, place the cursor on where you would like to have the answer to the Question inserted.
Double-click the newly created Question to insert the field.

Inserting Calculation Fields

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Calculations are an advanced feature and will require experience in JavaScript. It is advised to contact LEAP to assist in the use of this feature.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the JavaScript Calculations tab on the left.
Click New.
Enter the Name of the Calculation which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Calculation.
Select a Return Type from the drop-down list:
- string: A series of characters as texts.
- number: Numbers that can be written with, or without decimals.
- boolean: True or false.
- array: Represents a collection of elements, e.g. collection of strings, collection of numbers, etc.
- image
Click next to Calculation Code to view and search for Calculation Code Templates.

Double-click the Calculation Code Template to insert.
(Optional) Click next to Parameters to select the type of parameters you wish to use, e.g. Field, Question, Calculation or Word App Template.

Enter a Test Value for all parameters.

You may also click to edit or to delete an existing parameter.

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If the Parameter Description is too long, you can hover over the Parameter Description to view its full name.

Edit the code as necessary in the Calculation Code editor.
Place the cursor in the code editor where you would like to insert the Parameter.
Double-click the name of the Parameter to insert the parameter.
Click Run Code to confirm or verify your code output via Result.
Click Save to save the new calculation.
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the calculation.
Double-click the new Calculation field to insert.

Inserting Repeating Sections

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A repeating section is a control that contains other controls and that repeats as needed. Use a repeating section when you want to display variable amounts of data on a document.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Click the Repeating Sections tab on the left.
By default, the Insert in Table option will be toggled on.

Untoggle if you do not need to insert the repeating section in a table row.
Select the category you wish to use from the drop-down list.

By default, Matter Table is selected.
Use the Search Fields to search or filter the list to the field(s) you desire.
Select the Field or other categories' fields you wish to use.
Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Double-click the selected Field to insert.

Inserting Conditional Fields

The Conditional Fields interface is designed to guide you through creating conditional statement logic effortlessly.

Conditional Fields are best used for large sections of document text that require formatting where that text will change depending on the answer to a Question, Calculation or Field result.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.
Place your cursor in the document where you expect to see the result. As soon as you create a New Conditional Field, the placeholder for the content control will be inserted immediately into your Word document, at the cursor's location.

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Tip: If you do not have your cursor in the correct location at the time of creation, you can easily move the Conditional Field by either the standard drag/drop or cut/paste Word features.
Access Conditional Fields via the vertical tab in LEAP for Word pane.
Select the New button. A pop-up screen will then open which contains instructions on the left-hand side for how to create a conditional field. 
Enter the Name of the Calculation which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Conditional Field.
Select the Source type. This can be a Field, Question or Calculation.
Enter your Conditions.
Select Save.
From the side pane select the Editing Icon against a condition and enter the result on the document.
Select Save.

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For an example of a conditional field based off a question see Insert a Signature Field into Letters and Precedents

Using Check Fields

Check Fields allows you to check conditional fields and synchronise them, relinking fields to the document.

When fields are blue you can go to Editing and Check Fields to resolve.

When fields are orange, they are successfully inserting data from the matter.

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This feature is only available in Microsoft Office Desktop applications and not on Microsoft Office Online.

Using the Design Mode

Microsoft Word’s Design Mode is a handy tool to show/hide the content control codes.

Open Microsoft Word.
Click File > Options at the top-left corner of Word.

The Word Options will open in a new window.
Click the Customize Ribbon tab.
Under the Customize the Ribbon section, tick the Developer checkbox.
Click OK to save.
Click the Developer tab.
Click Design Mode.

Click to edit heading

Please ensure Design Mode is not selected when you are inserting any fields. Design Mode is only for viewing content control codes.

Understanding Content Control

A content control code is in the following format: Matter.PersonActingFullName.

The first part of the name (Matter) is the Table Type, where the field is pulling the information from.

The second part, after the dot, is the field name itself.

So, in the above example, we are looking at the Person Acting Full Name field on the Matter table.

Inserting Content Fields in a Document/Precedent

Open Microsoft Word.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Make sure you're on the Fields tab .
Under Fields, click the drop-down filter to select the relevant Table Type that you wish to insert fields from.
Toggle the View All option if required.
Use the Search Fields to search or filter the list to the field(s) you desire.
Place the cursor in the document where you wish to insert the field.
Select the field you wish to insert.
Double-click the selected field to insert at the cursor's position in the document with information populated based on the matter.

Formatting Fields

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Fields can be formatted within your documents. For example, you may wish to change how the date is displayed or if the text is capitalised or not.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
Highlight the field you wish to format.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Format Fields.

The LEAP Format Content Control Field will open in a new window.
In the Field Type section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
In the Format section, select the relevant format you wish to use.
Click OK.

Advanced Coding Types

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As customisation of fields can become quite complicated, what follows is for simple custom fields only. If you need any advanced customisation of your documents or templates, please contact LEAP or a LEAP Certified Consultant.

Inserting a Question Field

Click to edit heading

A Question field will ask one in a panel on the right-hand side of your document and insert that answer.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Click the Questions tab .
Click New.

The Question Details will be displayed in the window.
Enter the Name of the Question which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Type the question into the Text field.
(Optional) Toggle Show Parameters to enter any parameter details into the question text.

Click Add Text Parameter to select a fields to insert into the question.
Select the Answer Type you wish to create:
- Text: Text answer or from a particular table type value.
- Multiple Choice: List of multiple-choice answers to select from.
(Optional) Click the Condition drop-down to enter a condition for the question.
Click Save.
In your document, place the cursor on where you would like to have the answer to the Question inserted.
Double-click the newly created Question to insert the field.

Inserting Calculations

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Calculations are an advanced feature and will require experience in JavaScript. It is advised to contact LEAP or a LEAP Certified Consultant to assist in the use of this feature.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Click the Calculations tab on the left .
Click New.

The Calculation Details will be displayed in the window.
Enter the Name of the Calculation which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Calculation.
Select a Return Type from the drop-down list:
- string: A series of characters as texts.
- number: Numbers that can be written with, or without decimals.
- boolean: True or false.
- array: Represents a collection of elements, e.g. collection of strings, collection of numbers, etc.
Click Edit Javascript.

The LEAP Edit Javascript editor will open in a new window.
(Optional) Click New next to Input Parameters to select the type of parameters you wish to use, e.g. Field, Question, Calculation or Word App Template.

You may also click to edit or to delete an existing parameter.
Place the cursor in the code editor where you would like to insert the Input Parameter.
Click the name of the Input Parameter to insert the parameter.
Edit the code as necessary in the editor.
Click Run Code to confirm or verify your code output via Test Output.
Click OK to close the editor.
Click Save to save the new calculation.
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the calculation.
Double-click the new Calculation field to insert.

Inserting a Conditional Field

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A Conditional field will display information depending on information within the current matter, or responses to questions. For example, you may want different text in your document depending on the answer to a Question.

Open the matter.
Make sure you're on the Details & Correspondence tab.
Open or create a Word document from the matter.
From the LEAP Web ribbon, click Editing > Insert Fields.

A list of available fields will display on the right-hand side of the document.
Click the Conditional Fields tab .
Place the cursor in the document where you would like to insert the Conditional Field.
Click New.

The Conditional Field Details will be displayed in the window.
Enter the Name of the Conditional Field which will be for your reference only (so you can insert the response in the required locations within your document).
Enter a Description of the Conditional Field.
Select the appropriate field for the Condition and click Select.
Enter a Test Value.

You may click Add Empty Value or Add Default Value instead of manually entering a Test Value.
Click Save.

Last Modified Date

19/02/2026 6:43 pm

Title

Inserting Fields into Documents/Precedents

URL Name

Inserting-Fields-into-Documents-Precedents-NZ

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