A manager creates a deal in Bitrix24, clicks "Generate document" and receives an act or contract — but with empty fields where client details should be, the amount in words in Russian does not match the numeric one, and the company logo is not inserted.
This is a typical picture after the first implementation: document templates are minimal out of the box, and they need to be refined for real business tasks.
We have been refining Bitrix24 document templates for more than 5 years and have developed more than 50 templates for deals, invoices, commercial proposals, and contracts.
Our experience allows us to take into account all nuances: from correct output of details to integration with custom fields and external services. As a result, managers save a significant amount of time each month on manual filling, and the accuracy of details reaches 99%.
How do document templates work in Bitrix24?
Document templates are available in the CRM → Settings → Document templates section (depending on the version — also via the deal/invoice card). The functionality is part of the crm module and works on the basis of the built-in template engine.
The template is created in docx format (Microsoft Word) — this is a key point. Bitrix24 uses docx as the template format with placeholders in double curly braces: {ContactName}, {DealTitle}, {TotalPrice}.
When generating a document, placeholders are replaced with real CRM data, and the resulting file is provided as docx or converted to PDF. — Official 1C-Bitrix documentation
Available variables (placeholders)
The list of available variables depends on the document type (deal, invoice, commercial proposal, contact, company). Basic ones for a deal:
{DealId},{DealTitle},{DealOpportunity}— ID, title, amount{ContactName},{ContactPhone},{ContactEmail}— contact data{CompanyTitle},{CompanyAddress}— company data{AssignedName}— assigned manager{CreatedDate}— creation date
For tabular data (list of products in a deal), repeat blocks are used — docx sections with {#Products}...{/Products} markers. Custom CRM fields (UF_CRM_*) are also available through the corresponding placeholders — they need to be added manually to the template's variable list.
Why are standard templates not enough?
Standard out-of-the-box templates have a minimum of variables, static layout, and do not support logic. For example, you cannot output details only for a legal entity or hide the signature block if the deal has no counterparty.
Amounts in words are also not supported, nor is automatic filling of INN/KPP from the company card or insertion of QR codes. As a result, managers spend up to 30 minutes manually editing each document, and the risk of errors with details increases many times over. Our templates are generated 10 times faster — in 10–15 seconds.
How do we develop document templates?
Our process consists of five stages:
- Analytics — we study your documents, identify variables, and agree on the layout.
- Prototype — we create a draft template in docx with placeholders.
- Development — we place variables, configure repeat tables, and implement custom fields.
- Testing — we check on real deals and fix errors (common ones: placeholder breaks, incorrect table formatting).
- Deployment and training — we upload the template to CRM, instruct managers, and provide a 30-day guarantee.
Stack: Microsoft Word / LibreOffice for editing docx, an internal tool for checking XML markup (so that placeholders are a single run). If necessary, we connect PHP handlers for complex logic.
Case study: service agreement for an agency (from our practice)
In our practice, there was a case with a marketing agency on cloud Bitrix24. Managers created contracts manually in Word, copying data from CRM — they lost 20–30 minutes per contract and sometimes inserted the wrong details.
We developed a contract template: a header with the agency's details (static text), client details — from company fields ({CompanyTitle}, custom UF fields for INN, KPP, address), subject of the contract — from the deal field, amount — {DealOpportunity} + amount in words via a custom UF field (filled by a robot).
Signatures — static lines with empty fields. Result: the contract is generated in 10 seconds, there are no errors with details, and the processing time was reduced by 5 times.
What is included in document template development?
Each order includes:
- A ready-made docx template uploaded to your CRM
- Documentation with a full list of used variables
- Testing on test deals
- Manager training (a 15-minute screencast)
- 30-day support guarantee (error fixing, refinement based on your comments)
- Optional — integration with robots and business processes for automation
Comparison: manual filling vs our templates
| Characteristic | Manual filling | Our templates |
|---|---|---|
| Time per contract | 20–30 minutes | 10–15 seconds |
| Error rate | 10–15% (incorrect details) | <1% |
| Customization capability | Unlimited | Full |
| Employee training | Not required | 15 minutes |
What limitations are encountered when creating templates?
Bitrix24 cannot natively: convert numbers to words, apply complex conditions in the template (IF/ELSE), or insert images from CRM.
Workarounds: amount in words — via a custom UF field or robots; conditions — via several templates for different scenarios or via a PHP event handler for onCrmDealDocumentGenerate; images — via preliminary copying of files to storage and using external links.
Typical mistakes when creating templates:
- Placeholder break — if part of
{DealTitle}is written in bold or italic, Word splits it into several XML tags, and Bitrix24 does not recognize the substitution. Solution: insert placeholders without formatting. - Incorrect table markers — the
{#Products}and{/Products}markers must be in separate table rows, otherwise the rows will not repeat. - Ignoring custom fields — if a UF field is not added to the template's variable list, it will not appear in generation.
Timelines and cost
| Task | Timelines |
|---|---|
| Development of one template (up to 2 pages, standard fields) | 4–8 hours |
| Template with a complex product table and custom fields | 1–2 days |
| Set of 3–5 document templates | 3–7 days |
Cost is calculated individually — it depends on the complexity of the document, the number of variables, and the need for additional handlers.
To get an accurate estimate, send us your current documents (acts, contracts, invoices) — we will analyze them and propose the optimal solution. Contact us for a consultation — we will discuss the details and timelines. Order template development so that your managers can create documents in seconds without errors.
Useful links
- Official Bitrix24 documentation on templates
- Wikipedia: CRM system