Zapier Integration
TemplateFox has a native Zapier integration. Connect your account, add TemplateFox as an action in any Zap, and generate PDFs automatically when triggers fire — no code required.
1. Get your API key
Section titled “1. Get your API key”Go to your Dashboard and copy your API key.
2. Create a Zap
Section titled “2. Create a Zap”In Zapier, create a new Zap and choose your trigger app (Google Sheets, Typeform, Shopify, Stripe, etc.).
3. Add TemplateFox as an action
Section titled “3. Add TemplateFox as an action”Search for TemplateFox in the action step. Select Generate PDF as the action event.
4. Connect your account
Section titled “4. Connect your account”Paste your API key when prompted. Zapier will verify the connection automatically.
5. Configure the action
Section titled “5. Configure the action”| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Template | Select a template from the dropdown (fetched from your account) |
| Create Data with (Payload Type) | Schema of Data shows one input per template variable (map trigger fields directly). JSON shows a single text field for a raw JSON payload — use it for templates with repeating rows like line items |
| Data fields | In Schema mode, one field per template variable, loaded from the selected template |
| URL Expiration (seconds) | How long the PDF URL stays valid. Range: 60–604800. Default: 86400 (24 hours) |
| Filename | Optional custom filename (without .pdf) |
| PDF Variant | Optional — generate a PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b archival PDF |
| Template Version | Optional — pin the generation to a tagged version, or leave on “Draft” to use the live editor |
| Upload to S3 | Optional — store the PDF in your own S3 bucket (with path and bucket override fields) |
6. Test and turn on
Section titled “6. Test and turn on”Click Test to generate a sample PDF, then turn on your Zap.
Available actions
Section titled “Available actions”Most automations only need Generate PDF — the rest is there when you need it.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Generate PDF | Generate a PDF from a template with dynamic data. Returns a signed URL and a Zapier file output (ready to drop into Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, etc.). Supports the PDF/A archival variant. |
| Generate PDF (Async) | Same as above but queued — returns a job_id immediately. Pair with Get PDF Job for long renders and batches. |
PDF tools (no template needed)
Section titled “PDF tools (no template needed)”| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Merge PDFs | Concatenate 2+ PDFs (URL or base64) into a single document. |
| Extract PDF Pages | Pull selected pages from a PDF using a 1-3, 5, 7-9 syntax. |
| Rotate PDF | Rotate every page by a single angle, or apply a per-page rotation map. |
Search / read
Section titled “Search / read”| Search | Description |
|---|---|
| Get PDF Job | Look up an async job by ID — returns status, result URL, errors. |
| List PDF Jobs | List recent jobs, optionally filtered by status. |
| Get Account | Returns your remaining credits and account email. |
Mapping data
Section titled “Mapping data”With Create Data with set to Schema of Data, Zapier shows one input per template variable and you map trigger fields directly. For example, if your trigger is a new Google Sheets row:
- Map the “Customer Name” column to your template’s
customer_namefield - Map “Invoice Number” to
invoice_number - Map “Amount” to
total
For templates with repeating rows (like line items), switch Create Data with to JSON and pass the full payload as a JSON string.
Output
Section titled “Output”After generation, the TemplateFox action returns:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
file | The PDF as a Zapier file object — use this to attach the PDF in Gmail, upload to Google Drive, or post to Slack |
url | Signed URL to download the PDF |
filename | The PDF filename |
credits_remaining | Credits left in your plan |
expires_in | Seconds until the URL expires |
Use the PDF File output when a downstream step expects an actual file (email attachments, Drive uploads). Use the PDF URL when you just want a link in a message or a database row.
Common workflows
Section titled “Common workflows”Invoice on new order — Shopify/Stripe triggers a new order, TemplateFox generates the invoice, Gmail sends it to the customer.
Certificate on course completion — Teachable/Thinkific triggers completion, TemplateFox generates a certificate, Dropbox stores it.
Receipt after payment — Stripe triggers a payment, TemplateFox generates a receipt, the PDF URL is sent via Slack or email.
Contract from CRM — HubSpot/Salesforce deal closes, TemplateFox generates the contract, Google Drive saves it.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”“Template not found” — Make sure you have at least one template in your Dashboard. Templates must be saved before they appear in Zapier’s dropdown.
“Invalid API key” — Reconnect your TemplateFox account in Zapier with a valid API key from your API settings.
Fields not showing — After selecting a template, click Refresh Fields to reload the available template variables.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”- Get Started in 5 Minutes — Create your first template
- Data Binding — Learn how to pass dynamic data to templates
- API Reference — Full endpoint documentation
- Upload to S3 — Store generated PDFs in your own S3 bucket