eSign templates are a great way to save time.
How to Create and Apply eSign Templates (Video Guide)
eSign templates let you pre-place signature, initial, and date fields on standardized documents you send frequently—saving significant prep time.
Heads Up: Some features shown in the video may be experimental. If you don’t see them, enable Experimental Features in Profile Icon > Settings.
Value to Firms
Templates eliminate repetitive field placement and ensure accuracy for standardized IRS forms and common firm documents.
Table of Contents
Create an eSign Template
Go to Templates.
Select eSign to open the eSign Templates Dashboard.
Dashboard Tabs
Presets: Duplicate or edit preset templates using the three dots.
Team: Templates visible to your entire team.
Private: Templates visible only to you.
Draft: Work-in-progress templates you can return to later.
Click Create template.
Enter the Template Title (best practice: name the template after the form type, e.g., “8879 – Taxpayer”).
Upload a file or choose a file from existing client files.
Click Next while Canopy prepares the document.
Place Fields During Template Setup
Once the template editor opens, begin adding signer roles and placing fields.
Add Signers
Select + Add signer.
Check the signer roles needed for this document (e.g., client, spouse, accountant).
If needed, select + Create custom signer.
Click Done when all signer roles are added.
Tip:
Because this is a template, signers are added by role only. You will assign actual people later when applying the template to a client’s document.
Add Fields
Go to the Fields tab.
Select a signer role from the dropdown.
Drag and drop fields onto the document:
Signature
Initials
Date
Adjust placement or remove fields as needed.
Switch signers in the dropdown and repeat until all fields are placed.
Finalize Template Settings
Open the Settings tab.
Review the Template Title and Request Title.
Optionally add a default message that will appear when sending requests.
Choose whether the template should be visible to the team.
Click Save template, or select Save as draft if unfinished.
Your template is now ready to use.
Apply an eSign Template
To use a template, initiate an eSign request.
Open a client’s Record.
Go to the Files tab.
Right-click a file and select Create eSign Request.
Once the document loads in the eSign request editor:
Apply a Template Using the New UI
Scroll to the page where you want to apply the template.
In the upper-left corner of that page, click the Template icon.
Select the template you want to apply to that page.
Scroll down to any additional pages that require different templates.
Click the Template icon on each applicable page to apply additional templates as needed.
Heads Up!
Templates only work on standardized documents. Do not apply a template to a form that does not match the template’s layout or structure.
Assign Signers
Go to the Signers tab.
Click Assign next to each signer role and select the correct client/contact.
Use the three dots to unassign or reassign.
To add someone not included in the template, select + Add Custom Signer.
You will need to manually place fields for any additional signers added at this stage.
Review Fields
Open the Fields tab.
Verify that all fields from the template are placed correctly.
Adjust as needed before sending.
Adjust Settings
Go to Settings.
Add a due date or reminder, and modify the message if needed.
Select Send now.
If you are a signer, Canopy will prompt you to sign before sending.
Client Signing Experience
Clients receive an email with a secure link valid for 30 days.
They click the link to sign.
If they close the tab, the request remains active.
Clients with portal access can sign directly from their portal as well.
Need Help?
Contact Support or ask Penny, our AI Support Bot, for assistance.