How to Send a Document for eSignature Without a Predefined Template

This guide explains how business users can send a document for eSignature or Digital Signature directly from a Salesforce record without using a predefined Document Template.

Users can upload a new document or select an existing Salesforce File, configure the recipients, prepare the document for signing, and send it directly from Salesforce.

The Send Document for eSignature action must be available on the Salesforce record page.

Once configured by your Salesforce administrator, users can access the action directly from supported records such as Account, Opportunity, Application, or other configured objects.

To start the process:

1. Open the required Salesforce record.

2. Click Send Document for eSignature.

3. The DocGen & eSign document preparation page opens in a new tab.

4. Follow the steps to select the document, configure signers, prepare the document, and send it for signing.

The first step is to select the document that you want to send for signing.

You can either:

• Upload a document from your computer.

• Select an existing Salesforce File associated with the record.

This allows you to send documents for signing without first creating a Document Template.

Example

You may use this option when you already have a completed:

• Loan agreement

• Contract

• Application

• Disclosure

• Authorization form

• Other business document

that needs to be signed.

Once the document is selected, proceed to configure the recipients.

Add the people who need to sign the document.

For each signer, provide the required information, such as:

• Name

• Email Address

• Signing Order, when sequential signing is required

Signing Order

If multiple people need to sign the document, you can define the order in which they receive the document.

For example:

Signer 1 → Signer 2 → Signer 3

Signer 2 will receive the document only after Signer 1 completes their signing action.

Depending on your organization's configuration, additional options may be available for Digital Signature or eVaulting.

These features provide additional security and document management capabilities.

If these options are enabled, review and configure the available settings as required.

If they are not enabled, this step may be skipped automatically and you will proceed to document preparation.

After configuring the signers, prepare the document by adding the fields that the signers need to complete.

The document editor provides a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to place fields directly onto the document.

You can add fields such as:

• Signature

• Initials

• Name

• Date

• Text

• Checkbox

• Dropdown

• Internal Signature

Each field can then be assigned to the appropriate signer.

Learn how to create an editable PDF

Select a field to open the Field Properties panel.

The available options may include:

Required Field

Enable Required Field when the signer must complete the field before submitting the document.

A signer cannot complete the signing process until all required fields assigned to them have been completed.

Read Only

Enable Read Only when the field should be visible to the signer but should not be editable.

This is useful for information that has already been populated or should remain unchanged.

Auto-Fill Date

Enable Auto-Fill Date (Date of Signing) to automatically populate the field with the date when the signer completes the signing process.

Each field must be assigned to the signer who is responsible for completing it.

Use the Assign to Signer dropdown in the Field Properties panel to select the appropriate signer.

The dropdown displays the configured recipients, including their email addresses.

Example

If the document has two signers:

• John Smith

• Sarah Johnson

You can configure the fields as follows:

Only the assigned signer will be able to interact with their fields during the signing process.

Before sending the document, review the complete document to ensure:

• All required fields have been added.

• Signature fields are positioned correctly.

• Each field is assigned to the correct signer.

• Required fields are configured correctly.

• Signing order is correct.

• The document content is complete.

This review helps prevent errors after the document has been sent to the recipients.

Once the document is prepared, proceed to the Send Document step.

You can review and customize the email that will be sent to the signers.

Depending on the configuration, you may be able to customize:

• Email subject

• Email message

• Email template

After confirming the details, click Send.

The document is sent to the configured signers through a secure signing workflow.

Each signer receives an email containing the signing request and can access the document using the provided signing link.

Organizations can customize the email content used when sending documents for eSignature.

Administrators can configure the email header, footer, and content to match the organization's branding.

To configure the email:

1. Go to Setup.

2. Navigate to Custom Metadata.

3. Open Send Doc for eSign Email Config.

4. Click Manage.

5. Open Header Footer Configuration.

6. Click Edit.

7. Update the required HTML content.

8. Save the configuration.

Custom Email Templates

Organizations can also create custom email templates using the DocGen & eSign Classic Email Templates folder.

When creating a template, ensure that the template is created as a Text email template to maintain compatibility with the eSignature workflow.