> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.docsiv.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Documents

> How to create new documents in Docsiv — from scratch, from a template, or by importing an existing file.

There are three ways to start a new document in Docsiv: create a blank document, start from a template, or import an existing file. All three methods are available from the **Documents** page.

## Creating a blank document

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the new document dialog">
    From the **Documents** page, click **New Doc** in the top-right corner. The **Create a document** dialog opens.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a document type">
    Select one of the four document types — **Document**, **Sheet**, **Presentation**, or **Contract**. Your workspace may also show custom sub-types such as Proposal, Brief, or Deck.

    The type you choose determines which editor opens and what the document can do (for example, only Contracts support signature requirements).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign a client (optional)">
    Open the **Client** dropdown and pick a client. This connects the document to that client's portal and makes it easier to filter later. You can leave it unassigned and update it at any time from **Doc settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give it a title">
    Type a name in the **Title** field. If you leave it blank, the document is saved as **Untitled**. You can rename it at any time from the editor header.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the document">
    Click **Create document** (or press `Enter`). Docsiv creates the record and opens the editor immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Starting from a template

Templates give you a pre-built starting point with content, structure, and formatting already in place.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Templates">
    Click **Templates** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse and select">
    Browse your workspace templates or marketplace templates. Click a template card to preview it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the template">
    Click **Use template**. Docsiv creates a new document pre-filled with the template content and opens the editor.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can save any document as a workspace template from inside the editor. Open the **more options** menu (⋯) and choose **Save as template**.
</Tip>

## Starting with AI

If your workspace has AI enabled, you can generate a first draft from a prompt without using a template.

Open the **New Doc** dialog, create a blank document, and once the editor opens use the AI toolbar or the `/` slash command to generate content. See the [Editor](/documents/editor) page for details.

## Importing existing files

Bring external documents into Docsiv from Google Drive or by uploading files directly.

### From Google Drive

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Import documents">
    Click **Import documents** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Google Drive">
    On the **Google Drive** tab, click **Connect**. You will be redirected to Google to authorize access. After authorizing, you are returned to the import page showing your connected account email.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select files to import">
    Click **Import** to open the file picker. Your Drive files are grouped by type — Documents, Sheets, and Decks. Select the files you want to import. You can select all in a group or pick individual files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the import">
    Click **Import (n)**. Docsiv converts the files and shows a progress summary. When finished, your imported files appear in the **Documents** page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Google Docs become Documents, Google Sheets become Sheets, and Google Slides become Presentations. File formatting is preserved using a hybrid conversion mode.
</Note>

### By file upload

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Import documents">
    Click **Import documents** in the left sidebar, then select the **Upload files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a file">
    Drag your file onto the drop zone, or click it to browse. Supported formats: `.docx`, `.xlsx`, `.xls`, `.csv`, `.pptx`, `.ppt`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a document category (optional)">
    Choose a document type from the **Document category** dropdown to assign it immediately. Docsiv validates that the file type matches the chosen category.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import the file">
    Click **Import file**. When the conversion completes, click **Done** to open the new document or **Import another** to continue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Uploading a file that does not match the selected document category (for example, a `.xlsx` file with a Document type selected) will return a validation error. Either clear the category or choose the correct one.
</Warning>