1.Introduction to PDF Maker Free
The PDF Maker is extension tool designed for vtiger CRM. There is already possibility of the export to pdf format in vtiger CRM functionality but it covers just few modules. In addition pdf templates are hardcoded and cannot be edited. Therefore, the intention was to provide powerful and flexible tool which allows users of vtiger CRM to create own pdf templates.
The PDF Maker Free benefits are:
- Personalized Invoice, Quotes, Sales Orders and Purchase Orders formats
- Personalized Product Profiles with image
- Terms and Conditions
Product Features :
- You can use all Fields (including custom)
- Company and User information
- Translation from Global and Module languages
- Print from list view module
- Define Page format (A3, A4, A5, A6, Letter, Legal and own format is possible)
- Using Products images in Invoice, Quotes, Purchase or Sales Order
2.How to install PDF Maker Free
To install PDF Maker Free you have 2 options:
- install via vtiger Marketplace
- install via module manager
2.1.Install PDF Maker Free via module manager
To install PDF Maker Free via module manager you need to have installation .zip file.
You can find Section to free downloads in our eshop.
Please login or register into our eshop.
How to install PDF Maker Free via module manager
After login you will see Free Downloads section.
Here you can download .zip file to install PDF Maker Free.
It is also useful to register because we will and more free extensions into this section.
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
Now please provide following steps in order to install PDF Maker
- Install the .zip (package) file of the PDF Maker module via Setting -> CRM Settings -> Module Management -> Modules. Click on the Import Module from Zip.
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
- Select the .zip (package) file that you downloaded from our shop. Please check that you accepted the disclaimer and would like to proceed. Click on the [Import] button.
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
- Verify the import details parsed from the .zip (package) file. Please check that you accepted the license agreement and click [Import Now] to proceed or [Cancel] to cancel.
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
For successfully completing the installation is neccesary download mPDF library into PDFMaker module from external storage place,
because mpdf.zip is over 2MB and many customers has MAX_UPLOAD_SIZE set to 2 MB (webhosting) so we have make available download it from our server. - PDF Maker was imported
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
In order to finish installation, please provide following installation steps.
- Open PDF Maker module Projects -> PDF Maker. Click on [Next]
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
- Mpdf Download. Click on [Download] button to download and install mpdf script.
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
- If PDF Maker is installed successfully you will see following screen. Click on [Finish].
How to install PDF Maker Free – module manager
2.2.Install PDF Maker Free via Marketplace
In your vtiger please find Extension Store.
How to install PDF Maker Free – extensions store
Search PDF Maker and then click on Install or More Details
How to install PDF Maker Free – extensions store
3.How to update/upgrade PDF Maker
The upgrade of the PDF Maker is initiated in the same way as PDF maker installation or click on Upgrade PDFMaker link in Customize tab of PDF Maker.
How to update/upgrade PDF Maker
So please refer to above installation part for details how to initiate the import of the module from the file. As can be seen on following picture you will be notified that the PDF Maker module already exists. The upgrade will start immediately when you click on the [Update Now] button.
How to update PDF Maker
After upgrade the notification about successful upgrade is shown.
How to update PDF Maker
4.Quick start
In the following section you can find short description how to edit your PDF template for vtiger CRM using PDF Maker.
4.1.Edit the PDF template
In order to edit the PDF template you have to start the PDF Maker tool which can be after installation located under the Projects as seen below on the picture.
- In vtiger CRM menu please go to Projects and click on PDF Maker (since vtiger 7 there is no Tools part so records which used to be in Tools tab are in Projects tab now)
Location of PDF Maker module
- The screenshot below shows PDF Maker ListView. You can click on template to see preview.
ListView of PDF Maker
- In preview click on [Edit] to start editing templates
Preview of template
- After editing click on [Save] button
EditView and Save template
4.2.How to generate PDF file with PDF Maker template
With PDF Maker Free you can generate PDF file only from DetailView.
To generate PDF file please provide following steps:
- To generate without changing default language click in DetailView of record on [Export to pdf] button and in popup window click on [Download file]
How to export PDF file
How to export PDF file
- First, if you want to change language of pdf file or add PDF Product Page Break or change PDF Product Images click on [More] button
How to export PDF file
- Then click on [Download] or [Export to pdf] button
5.Work area
The Work Area of PDF Maker consists of:
- ListView – list of your templates
- DetailView – shows already created pdf template in details
- EditView – allows you to edit existing templates
- PDF Maker block – mainly used for export records to pdf file
5.1.ListView of PDF Maker Free
ListView of PDF Maker Free
The main part of the PDF Maker ListView consists of list of the PDF templates, which gives you information about a module and a short description.
Under customize button you can find:
- Upgrade PDF Maker
- Uninstall PDF Maker
There are also buttons to see PDF template details and Edit PDF template.
5.2.DetailView of PDF Maker Free
From ListView you can directly open any pdf template in DetailView. The DetailView consists of:
- Template information part – gives basic information of the template
- PDF template itself which consist of Header, Body and Footer part.
- [Edit] button – switch to EditView and start editing
DetailView of PDF Maker Free
5.3.EditView of PDF Maker Free
The EditView shown in the picture below is divided into two areas:,
- Tabs area – allows user to insert into template different kind of values, fields, labels and to set up properties and other common settings of the pdf template. Tabs area consists of following tabs, which are described in the following subchapters:
- Properties
- Other informations
- Labels
- Product block
- Header/Footer
- Settings
- Editing area – is mainly used for inserting/editing your own text, tables, images etc. and to make some design adjustment of the template like font change, color, format, size, background color of the text etc. This editing can be initiated via many toolbars located inside three tabs (Body, Header and Footer) in the above part of Editing area.
EditView of PDF Maker Free
5.3.1.Properties
The main purpose of the Properties tab is to add variables of module and related modules.
Properties
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Module | Template will be based and available only for one primary module and its fields. |
| Related modules | If exists related module(s) to selected module, it is possible here to select and use fields from any related modules. |
5.3.2.Other information
As shown below Other informations tab contains several fields. They are Company and User information, Terms and Conditions, Current date, Barcodes, QR code and Custom functions.
Other information
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Company and User information | Comprises group of fields from Company information, Assigned to User, Logged in User, Modified by User and Created by User. Custom fields also supported. |
| Terms and Conditions | Terms and Conditions. |
| Current date | Current date in several formats. |
5.3.3.Labels
Labels tab consists of Global language and Module language. Labels are very useful especially in case you need to print/save documents in two or more languages.
Labels
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Global language | Global labels. |
| Module language | Labels related only to selected module. |
5.3.4.Product block
The product block tab allows inserting product block template and editing it. In addition, you can create your own product block using “Block start”, “Block end” and fields for products and services.
Product block
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Product block template | Insert predefined and created product block templates. |
| Product block | Products and Services Block start, Products and Services Block end. Products Block start, Products Block end. Services Block start, Services Block end. Each product block has to start with “Block start” and ends with “Block end”. |
| Common fields for Products & Services | Fields common for products & services. You can find same fields for products and services separately as well, but it is recommended to prefer common fields in the templates. |
| Available fields for Products | Fields for products. |
| Available fields for Services | Fields for services. |
5.3.5.Header/Footer
The Header / Footer tab comprises some variables and header/footer settings related to displaying.
Header/footer
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Header / Footer variables | “Current page”, “Total pages” and “Page/pages”. |
| Display header | Allows defining how to display the header of the pdf document. |
| Display footer | Allows defining how to display the footer of the pdf document. |
5.3.6.Settings
The settings tab allows defining Description of template, page format, page settings, number format and other settings from usage of template point of view.
Settings
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Description | The description of the pdf template. |
| Page format | A3, A4, A5, A6, Letter, Legal or Custom. Custom page format allows to define width and height of the page in mm. Maximum values are 2000 mm x 2000 mm and minimum values are 100mm x 100mm. |
| Page orientation | Portrait or landscape. |
| Ignored picklist values | Define picklist values which will be ignored in the final pdf document like None, none, keine etc. Entered values have to be separated with comma. |
| Margins | Margins in cm. Maximum value is 9.9 cm and minimum value is 0 cm. |
| Number format | Decimal point separator – comma, dot (but any symbol can be used) Number of decimal points – 0-3 Thousands separator – comma, dot, space (but any symbol can be used) |
5.4.PDF Maker block of PDF Maker Free
The PDF Maker block can be found inside the specific module. In the module ListView it is necessary to click on any record to see details and on the right side, you can find the block. PDF Maker block contains of 2 buttons.
- [Export to pdf] – you will see Preview of pdf with default options (Language, Product Page Break and Product Image) and you can see options to Download and print PDF file
Preview
- [More] – in more button you can find Download option to direct download pdf file, PDF Product Page Break to move product on other page, PDF Product Images to choose Product image for Products and set size. Also there is option to change PDF language
PDF Maker Block
6.How to print PDF file
With Free version of PDF Maker you can also print PDF file directly from you crm.
To print please click on [Export to pdf] button and in Preview click on [Print] button.
How to print PDF file
7.Settings of PDF Maker Free
Settings
Settings part contains of:
- Upgrade PDF Maker
- Uninstall PDF Maker
7.1.Upgrade/Update PDF Maker
The upgrade of the PDF Maker is initiated in the same way as PDF maker installation or click on Upgrade PDFMaker link in Customize tab of PDF Maker.
How to update/upgrade PDF Maker
So please refer to above installation part for details how to initiate the import of the module from the file. As can be seen on following picture you will be notified that the PDF Maker module already exists. The upgrade will start immediately when you click on the [Update Now] button.
How to update PDF Maker
After upgrade the notification about successful upgrade is shown.
How to update PDF Maker
7.2.Uninstall PDF Maker
There is also available option to remove PDF Maker from your vTiger. To uninstall please provide following steps:
- Go to the ListView of PDF Maker and choose option Uninstall PDFMaker
PDF Maker Free Uninstall
- Click on [Uninstall PDF Maker] button
PDF Maker Free Uninstall
- Confirm uninstall with [Yes] button
PDF Maker Free Uninstall
Now, PDF Maker is removed from your vTiger. To use PDF Maker again you need to provide installation steús.
8.Change log
8.1.PDF Maker Free
- 31. May 2017 – PDF Maker 700.1.0
- compatibility with vtiger 7.0.0
8.2.Manual of PDF Maker Free
- 31. May 2017: manual based on PDF Maker 700.1.0
- first initiate for vtiger 7.x.x
