Skip to content
Build a Doc
Home Documentation Support
This documentation is currently in preview, therefore subject to change.

Quickstart Overview

Getting Started with Build a Doc

Welcome to the Build a Doc Quickstart Guide. This guide provides a structured, step-by-step journey to help you start automating document generation using Build a Doc and Microsoft Power Automate.

1. Purchase a Subscription

Purchase a Build a Doc subscription through Microsoft Marketplace.

You’ll learn:

  • Accessing Microsoft Marketplace
  • Completing the purchase process
  • Activating your portal access
  • Troubleshooting purchase issues

2. Use the Customer Portal

Manage your subscription, API keys, team members, and usage through the Build a Doc portal.

You’ll learn:

  • Navigating the portal dashboard
  • Managing subscription and billing
  • Inviting team members and assigning roles
  • Monitoring usage and generating reports

3. Generate an API Key

Create an API key in the Build a Doc portal to authenticate your Power Automate connections.

You’ll learn:

  • Accessing the Build a Doc Customer Portal
  • Creating and managing API keys
  • Security best practices
  • Using keys in Power Automate

4. Connect a Data Source

Learn how to structure JSON data that will populate your document templates. Understand simple fields, objects, and arrays.

You’ll learn:

  • JSON data structure basics
  • How to organise data for templates
  • Connecting data to template placeholders

5. Create a Template

Design Word document templates with placeholders that Build a Doc replaces with your data.

You’ll learn:

  • Installing the Build a Doc Word Add-in
  • Inserting data tags (<<[field]>> syntax)
  • Creating loops for repeating data
  • Performing calculations in templates

6. Build a Power Automate Flow

Create a Power Automate flow that generates documents automatically using Build a Doc.

You’ll learn:

  • Creating flows in Power Automate
  • Configuring the Build a Doc connector
  • Fetching templates and saving output
  • Testing and troubleshooting flows

For First-Time Users

  1. Purchase a subscription (Step 1) - Get access to Build a Doc
  2. Use the customer portal (Step 2) - Activate portal access and manage subscription
  3. Generate an API key (Step 3) - Enable Power Automate integration
  4. Learn about data sources (Step 4) - Understand JSON structure
  5. Create a template (Step 5) - Build your first document template
  6. Build a power automate flow (Step 6) - Generate your first document

For Existing Users

  • Jump directly to the guide that addresses your current need
  • Use the Navigation section at the top of each guide to move between topics
  • Refer to the Related Topics section at the bottom for related content

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • Microsoft 365 account with Power Automate access
  • OneDrive for Business or SharePoint for storing templates and output
  • Microsoft Word (Desktop or Online) for template creation
  • Basic understanding of Microsoft Power Automate (helpful but not required)

Getting Help

If you need assistance: