Frequently Asked Questions

Doc Variables is a Google Workspace add-on that transforms your documents into smart templates. Add variables like ${client_name} or ${project_date} to your documents, and Doc Variables generates a simple form to fill them all in at once. One click replaces every variable throughout your document. Works with Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets.

It's simple: 1) Add variables to your document using ${variable_name} syntax, 2) Open Doc Variables from the Extensions menu, 3) Fill out the form that automatically generates based on your variables, 4) Click Replace and watch every variable update instantly. Your first template takes about 2 minutes.

Doc Variables supports basic text variables (${client_name}), date variables (${date::date}), dropdown selections (${status::options::Active,Pending,Closed}), conditional sections that show/hide content, repeating tables for line items, and image variables for logos and signatures.

Find & Replace handles one term at a time. Doc Variables replaces ALL variables at once, generates a user-friendly form, supports dropdowns/conditionals/tables, saves your replacement values for reuse, and works across the entire document including headers, footers, and tables.

Yes! The free plan includes 20 document replacements per month, all basic variable types, and support for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. No credit card required to start.

Free: $0/month (20 uses). Individual: $5/month (unlimited, for freelancers). Team: $15/month (up to 5 users, shared templates). Enterprise: $105/month (large orgs, custom needs). All paid plans include unlimited replacements and priority support.

Yes. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Cancel from your account settings and you'll retain access until the end of your billing period.

Yes — annual plans save you 20% compared to monthly billing.

Go to the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for 'Doc Variables', click Install, and authorize the permissions. Then open any Google Doc, Slides, or Sheets file and go to Extensions → Doc Variables → Open. Installation takes about 30 seconds.

Doc Variables requests permission to view and edit your documents (required to find and replace variables) and display sidebar content (required to show the variable form). We never access documents you haven't opened with the add-on.

Google Workspace add-ons are currently only supported on desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Mobile support depends on Google's platform capabilities.

Absolutely. Doc Variables is popular with law firms, legal departments, and contract-heavy businesses for client engagement letters, NDAs, service agreements, lease documents, and employment contracts. The conditional logic feature is especially useful for documents with optional clauses.

Conditional variables show or hide content based on a selection. Use ${include_nda::options::Yes,No} and then wrap content in [[if include_nda=Yes]]...[[/if]] to only show that section when NDA is selected. Great for documents with optional sections or varying terms.

Yes! Use image variables like ${logo::image} to insert company logos, signatures, product photos, or QR codes. Doc Variables will prompt you to select an image file when filling out the form.

For invoices, line items, or lists with variable lengths, use the repeating section syntax. You can add as many rows as needed through the form — perfect for invoices, order forms, and itemized quotes.

With a Pro subscription, you can connect a Google Sheet to your template. Each row in the sheet creates a new document with the values from that row. Great for generating multiple contracts, invoices, or reports at once.

Yes. Doc Variables remembers your recent replacements, making it easy to reuse client information across documents, quickly fill common fields, and share standard values with teammates on the Team plan.

The Team plan ($15/month) includes up to 5 users sharing one subscription, a shared template library, shared saved values, and admin controls. Each team member installs Doc Variables individually and joins through an invitation link.

On Team and Enterprise plans, yes. Create a template once, share it with your organization, and everyone uses the same standardized document.

Yes. Doc Variables processes data locally in Google's infrastructure, uses Google's authentication (we never see your password), encrypts all data in transit with HTTPS/TLS, and doesn't store copies of your document content.

No. Doc Variables only accesses the specific document you have open when you run the add-on. We cannot see or access any other files in your Drive.

Yes. We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection regulations. You can request data deletion at any time by contacting support.

Check these common issues: 1) Spelling must match exactly (case-sensitive), 2) Use correct syntax: ${name} not {name} or {{name}}, 3) Copy-pasting from Word can add invisible characters — try retyping, 4) Make sure you have edit access to the document.

Try these steps: 1) Refresh the page, 2) Go to Extensions → Doc Variables → Open again, 3) Check that the add-on is installed via Extensions → Add-ons → Manage add-ons, 4) Try in an Incognito window to rule out browser extension conflicts.

If you're logged into multiple Google accounts in the same browser, the add-on may not load correctly. Try logging out of all accounts except the one you used to install Doc Variables, or use an incognito window.

Free users get 20 replacements per month. Upgrade to Individual ($5/month) for unlimited replacements, or wait for your limit to reset on the 1st of the month.

Email us at [email protected]. Response time is within 24 hours (usually faster). You can also check our documentation at docvariables.com/documentation.

We love hearing ideas! Email us at [email protected]. Many of our best features came directly from user suggestions.