How to insert specific data from an External Data Source in a template

This article explains how to insert specific data originating from the tenant's external data sources through smart fields to populate the dynamic document. 

When building a smart template, use the External data smart field to insert the data from an external data source into the smart template. To create an External data smart field, it is necessary to specify the column and the row of the external data source so the correct value can be inserted. Through this smart field text, dates, numbers, or images (through a URL that does not require authentication) can be inserted. Follow these steps to create an External data smart field: 

1. In Template Designer, navigate to the Template tab.
2. Select the location where the smart field should be inserted.
   
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   Type and select a placeholder text.

   Select the desired shape.
3. Click + Add smart field.
   This step doesn't apply if you are adding the very first smart field in the template.
4. Expand the section by clicking on More.
5. Click on External data.
   All the external data sources available on the tenant will be displayed.
   In this example the external data source 'Airports' is used:
   
6. Select the column from the data sources that should be used in the smart field.
   
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7. Optionally edit the Display name.
   The display name will be displayed in the Template tab once the smart field has been added.
8. Manually type the External data source row.
   To specify the row from the external data source, you must type the value existing in this row in the first column of the external data source. In this example the first column is IcaoCode and the row is 'KJFK':
   
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9. Optionally, perform additional actions on the smart fields: 
   • Edit binding: Allow editing of the binding syntax to tailor the smart field to specific needs by using functions, conditions, and operators to create more complex use cases. By default, the basic binding syntax will be used. 
   • Visibility: Edit the visibility of the smart field based on specific conditions. 
   • Allow updates: Allow the smart field to be updated after its generation when edited by the user through the document content updater. This option will not be visible if the document content updater is not enabled on the smart template. 
   • Remove and keep content: This will remove the content control upon document generation and therefor disable the document content updater on this smart field. 
   • Format (for dates only) : Specify which date format should be displayed for this date in the template. Additional date formatting can be achieved by editing the binding syntax and using the FormatDateTime() function. 
10. Click Add to template.
    The smart field will be injected into the template and will be displayed in the Template tab:
    
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