How to Create and Edit Certificates in Civic Review
Certificate templates are a powerful tool in Civic Review. They allow you to generate professional documents like permits, licenses, and certificates of occupancy using information directly from an application. These certificates can then be shared with applicants or used internally.
This guide provides tips and instructions for building and editing certificate templates.
Tip 1: Aligning Fields Evenly
Getting fields to line up perfectly can be challenging. Here are two methods to ensure everything looks even:
Use the Pin Icon: Click the pin icon to adjust a field's placement using X and Y coordinates. This allows for precise positioning and easy comparison to other fields.
Use a Single Container Box: For related fields like an address, copy and paste them into one box to ensure they stay aligned.
Tip 2: Managing Overlapping Fields
If you can't click on a field because another one is overlapping it, use the layer controls to move it.
Bring to Front: This icon moves the selected field in front of any overlapping fields.
Send to Back: This icon moves the selected field behind any overlapping fields.
Tip 3: Creating a Border
Adding a simple border to your certificate is easy:
Click "Box" in the bottom left corner of the certificate editor.
Select the "Box Color" icon and choose "No Color."
Select the "Border" icon to adjust the border's color and thickness.
Move the box to the corner of the page. You can use the pin icon for precise placement (e.g., X: 10, Y: 10).
Use the "Size" icon to manually adjust the height and width of the box to fit your certificate. This may require some trial and error.
Tip 4: Adding Itemized Fees or Collection Lists
You can include detailed lists from the application, such as itemized fees or collection lists (e.g., a list of multiple contacts or addresses).
In the bottom-left corner of the certificate editor, click the "Collections" or "Itemized Fees" button.
From there, you can select the specific collection list or fee data you want to display on the certificate.
Tip 5: Adjusting the Certificate Size
You can easily change the size of your certificate to fit different formats (e.g., full page, half page, or 1/3 page).
At the top of the certificate editor, find the dropdown menu that says "How many will print per page?"
Select your desired size. The grid will automatically adjust, but you may need to manually move any existing fields.
Here you can select how many you want to print per page. Then the grid used to create certificate will automatically adjust its size. Though if you have fields that were already placed, you will have to adjust them manually. This an example of what the half page grid looks like!
Tip 6: Copying a Certificate to Another Permit
Save time by copying a certificate design from one permit type to another.
Click the small box icon next to the "Save changes to this template" button.
In the dropdown menu, select the permit type you want to copy the certificate to.
The system will automatically redirect you to the new certificate. Remember to change its name.
Tip 7: Using Pre-Set Fields
The left side of the template editor contains a section of "pre-set" fields. These fields automatically pull specific information from the application.
Identifying Name: Pulls the name designated in the Key Fields of the form settings.
Application Date: The date the applicant submitted the application.
Start Date: The date the license or permit officially begins.
Final Review Date: The date the application was given a final approval. Here's a help article that walks through those different dates.
Reference Number and PIN: The unique login information for the applicant's portal.
Last Term Fees Paid: The fees paid for the previous term (for renewals).
Next Fees Due: Fees due for the upcoming term.
Event Name and Location: Information from an event permit application.
Build a Certificate With Me!
If you still feel like you need some more help, feel free to watch this video where I build a basic certificate and take you along with me.
Troubleshooting
A field isn't showing up on the printed certificate: Check if the field still exists in the form. It may have been deleted, but not removed from the certificate template.
The border isn't showing up on the printed certificate: Make sure "Background graphics" is enabled in your printer settings.
Additional Features
Make Available for Applicants to Print: In the form settings, you can check a box to allow applicants to print their own certificates from their portal.