←Generate Document Single in Make

Back to the main guide: all template types, module parameters, and output fields

HTML template in Make

The HTML template family is a Make Generate Document Single option that renders an .html layout into a finished document. It merges mustache tags, such as a recipient name field and a line-item loop, with your JSON data and outputs a PDF or HTML file. It suits teams that already maintain HTML or email templates.

Before You Start

HTML template with mustache tags

The sample invoice_sample_1.html is a full invoice layout with nested paths and a subInfo line-item loop. Paths must match your JSON structure exactly.

Matching data file

Use invoice_sample_data_1.json (recommended), test.xml, or test.csv. JSON uses nested objects and a subInfo array.

PDF4me connection in Make

Create a PDF4me connection in Make and paste your API key. The same key works across every PDF4me module in your scenario.

→ Get your API key

Sample File Pack

Download the files below. One HTML template plus matching data in JSON, XML, and CSV.

invoice_sample_1.html

Full invoice HTML with mustache tags

invoice_sample_data_1.json

Nested JSON with subInfo array

test.xml

Same invoice data as XML

test.csv

Flattened CSV (two line-item rows)

Target configuration: PDF4me HTML Template + JSON in Document Data Text + PDF output.

What is the HTML template template in Make?

The HTML template family renders a browser-style .html layout with inline CSS into a document. Placeholders written in mustache syntax are substituted from your data, and the loop block {{#each subInfo}} repeats a table row per line item. Choose it for marketing PDFs and brand-styled invoices your team already maintains as HTML.

How do I configure HTML template in Make?

Set the module fields as below. Required fields are marked with a red asterisk in the Make UI.

Parameter	Required	What it does	Example
Connection	Required	PDF4me connection for the scenario. Click Add to create one with your API key.	My PDF4me connection
Template File Type	Required	Set to PDF4me HTML Template for this template family.	PDF4me HTML Template
Output Type	Required	Format of the generated document. PDF for a print-ready file, or HTML for an email body or web preview.	PDF
Template Name	Required	Template file name including extension. Map from the prior module file name output.	invoice_sample_1.html
Template	Required	Template file binary. Map from the prior module data output (for example 1. Data from Dropbox Download a File).	1. Data
Document DataType	Required	Choose Json for JSON payloads (most common) or Xml when the upstream system returns XML.	Json
Document Data Text	Conditional	Inline JSON or XML data. Use when Document Data File is empty.	invoice_sample_data_1.json
Document Data File	Conditional	Mapped data file from a prior module. Use when Document Data Text is empty.	1. Data

Output

The module returns one bundle per run. The generated file is placed on the Doc Data output field.

Field	Type	What it contains
Doc Data	Binary	The generated PDF document. Map into a downstream Upload File or Send Email Attachment module.
File Name	String	Output filename based on Template Name with the extension matching Output Type.
Mime Type	String	MIME type of the generated document.

Production patterns

Common Make patterns for HTML templatesReplace the manual test with these once the sample works.

Template from cloud storage

1. Dropbox or Google Drive stores invoice_sample_1.html.
2. Download a File loads the template as binary.
3. Generate Document Single maps Template Name and Template.
4. Data is built from Sheets or a webhook as JSON.

Webhook to delivered PDF

1. Webhook receives the record payload.
2. Generate Document Single merges it with the template.
3. Output Type is PDF.
4. Send Email or Upload File delivers Doc Data.

Batch from a data source

1. Search Records returns many rows.
2. Iterator loops one record at a time.
3. Generate Document Single runs once per record.
4. Each file is uploaded to a per-record folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can HTML templates output a PDF in Make?+

Yes. Set Output Type to PDF for a print-ready file, or HTML for an email body or web preview. The same invoice_sample_1.html renders either way.

How do line items work in the sample?+

The subInfo array in the JSON drives the each subInfo block in the HTML table. Each object renders one row with plan, quantity, vat, and totalPrice. Add or remove array items to change the row count.

Why does test.csv have two rows?+

CSV flattens nested data. Each row is one line item while repeating the shared invoice fields such as recipient and dates. Both rows share the same totalAmount.

JSON, XML, or CSV: which should I use?+

JSON is best because it matches the nested mustache paths and the subInfo array. XML uses PascalCase elements. CSV suits spreadsheet exports but uses flattened column names.

Related Guides

For the underlying template engine, see the Aspose Words for .NET documentation and the Make data structures reference.

Generate Document Single overview

All five template types, module parameters, and output fields.

HTML template in n8n

The same template and sample files as a self-hosted n8n node.

Back to overviewGet your API Key