ArgoDoc

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can't find what you need here? The docs cover the full request shape.

What is ArgoDoc?
An API that turns a template into a finished document. Upload a template once, then send it data whenever you need a new PDF or ODT generated from it.
Do I need Microsoft Word?
No - and please don't use it to design templates. Design in LibreOffice Writer, which is free. Your finished documents are rendered by LibreOffice on our servers, so a template saved from Word can come out spaced or styled differently once generated. Designing directly in LibreOffice Writer avoids that mismatch entirely.
What is a placeholder?

A placeholder like <client_name> in your template is replaced with a single value you send:

{
  "placeholder": "<client_name>",
  "type": "text",
  "value": "Acme Corp"
}
What is a table tag, and why do I need one?

A placeholder only ever swaps in one value - it has no way to say "repeat this row". A table tag like {items} marks an entire row to repeat once for every item you send, like the line items on an invoice:

{
  "tag": "{items}",
  "tableRows": [
    { "tableColumns": [
      { "placeholders": [
        { "placeholder": "<item_name>", "type": "text", "value": "Widget" }
      ]}
    ]}
  ]
}
What happens if a placeholder or table tag doesn't match?

Generation still succeeds - you get a 200 and a document back, with the literal text left in place wherever nothing matched. The X-Docgen-Warnings header tells you how many things were skipped.

To see exactly what and why, use debug mode: add ?debug=true to your request and you get a full JSON report back instead of the document, showing every placeholder and table tag and whether it matched.

Do you store my documents?
No, never. We don't retain the documents you generate. See our privacy policy for the full detail.
Can I use images?
Yes - image placeholders accept base64-encoded PNG or JPEG data, plus a width and height in whole millimetres. One limit: an image inside a text box can't be replaced - keep it in the main body or a table cell instead.
Is there a free plan?
Yes - a real, ongoing free plan, not a trial. Every account starts on it with a monthly document quota and a template limit. See Pricing for the current numbers.
How do I get an API key?
Sign up and verify your email - your first key is issued automatically. You can rotate it any time from your Profile page.
What happens if I rotate my API key?
The old key stops working immediately, so update your integrations with the new one right after rotating. You'll need to be logged into the website to do this - it can't be done with the API key alone.
Are there rate limits?
Yes, per-account limits that scale with your plan. If you hit one, you'll get a 429 telling you to slow down.