Document View

Learn step by step how to get the most out of Document View, Layer's custom document builder

Silvia Lee avatar
Written by Silvia Lee
Updated over a week ago

Layer's Document View tool is an easy way to create Reports, Presentations, Meeting Minutes, really any kind of document from your existing project data and/or Revit data.

1. Log into Layer:

2. Things to know before setting up Document View:

Navigate to a Project in Layer and make sure that has at least one Category with fields and inputted data. Documents are set up by category. Use Related Element Fields to feature data from more than one category in a document.

3. Create a Document View:

Within the Category, navigate to the top of the elements window and click Select View, then click +Create New View.

Step 3 Create a Document View-1

Within the Create New View window, name the document, then click Document view type, and then Create View.

Step 3 Create a Document View-2

4. Set up the Document View:

Within the Setup Your Document window, choose to either:

1. Start from Scratch.

2. Start with a pre-built Layer template. Learn more >

3. Start with a previously-saved Company template. Learn more >

Note that any template can be edited and re-saved as a new Company template.

Step 4 Set up the Document View-1

5. Create a Start from Scratch document:

The default page size for Start from Scratch documents is 8.5"x11". To change the page size, page orientation, or page margins; click the Three Dot icon in the upper right corner, then choose Page Settings from the drop down menu.

Step 5 Edit Page Settings-1

6. Edit the document:

To begin editing the document, click the Pencil icon in the upper right corner.

Step 6 Edit the document-1

Drag and drop Containers from the right side panel to add content from Layer fields.

Step 6 Edit the document-2

7. Save the document:

Click Publish in the upper right corner to save changes at any time. When you're done editing, click Publish again to save changes, then the Arrow icon to exit editing mode. Note, if you navigate from document that is unsaved, Layer will ask for confirmation first.

Step 7 Save the document

8. Export a PDF file:

Navigate to the Three Dot icon in the upper right corner and choose Export PDF Report from the drop down. Layer will automatically begin generating a PDF report.

Step 8 Save PDF report-1

When it's complete and the Report Created window appears, click Download Report at the bottom to download and save the PDF file.

Step 8 Save PDF report-2

Previously created reports are accessible any time in the left hand navigation panel under Files > Reports.

Step 8 Save PDF report-3

9. Create a shareable link to the PDF file:

Navigate to the Three Dot icon in the upper right corner and choose Export PDF Report from the drop down. Layer will automatically begin generating a PDF report. When it's complete and the Report Created window appears, click Copy Link at the bottom to copy and share the shareable link. Notes that any documents created with a shareable link are accessible by anyone with that link, regardless if they are a Layer user or not.

Step 9 Save shareable link-1

10. Save the document as a Company template for future use:

Navigate to the Three Dot icon in the upper right corner and choose Create Document Template from the drop down.

Step 10 Save the document as a template-1

In the Save as Template window, name the document and add an optional description for the template, then click Save Template.

Step 10 Save the document as a template-2

Saved templates can be accessed during Step #4 in the Setup Your Document window under the Company tab. Learn more about Company templates >

Step 10 Save the document as a template-4

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Need more help? Visit our Document View FAQs page, click the chat box, or email help@layer.team.

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