Working with Answer Files in Automated Templates

 Answer File Basics

Answer files in Automated Templates are different from Automated Forms answer files in several ways:

• Answer Files are not automatically saved on your computer.
• If you save an Answer File to your computer, it is saved in the default location for your browser.
• Answer Files are automatically named for the forms used to create it followed by the date.
• HotDocs Automated Forms answer files will work in Automated Templates on Lexis^®, Lexis+^® and Practical Guidance. However, if you save files as Automated Templates answer files, you will not be able to use them in the HotDocs Automated Forms software. In other words, the answer files are not backwards compatible. 

 Save Answer Files

If you want to reuse an answer file with Automated Templates, you should download the answer file to your computer because it is not automatically saved.  You can download the answer file after completing a form or from the Recent Work Items.

Take the following steps to download the answer file after completing a form:

1. Click Finish.
2. (Optional) Click OK to the Unanswered questions window to continue.
3. Click Answer File.
4. (Optional) Select Save File.
   Note: The answer file is saved in the default location for your browser. 

Take the following steps to download an answer file from Recent Work Items:

1. Click Recent Work Items in the top right of any screen in Automated Templates.
2. Click the template with the answer file you want to download.
3. Click Answer File in the right pane on the screen.
   Note: The answer file is saved in the default location for your browser.

 Using a Saved Answer File in a Template

Take the following steps to use a saved answer file in a new template:

1. Select the desired template to display the Getting Started window.
2. Enter identifying information in the Work Item Name field.
3. Click Upload to select the desired answer file.
   Note: You may need to navigate to the folder where the answer file is saved. The default name of the answer file is the name of the previous form that used the answer file followed by the date it was used (e.g. Texas Deed-06-30-2023). 
4. Click OK.
   Note: You can also upload an answer file at any point in the interview.