How to add placeholder text to a new document

[justrjlewis]

I have searched and understand that I can't add my own template at this time and it doesn't seem like I can copy a document either - please let me know if I am wrong on either of those counts.  One other option that I had in mind for making Dropbox Paper more applicable to the type of collaboration that I am interested in would be, can I create placeholder text within a document like what's found on the currently existing templates?

[Sanchez]

Hi @justrjlewis, welcome to our community! 

You’re right on the first two counts. As far as the placeholder text goes, I’m looking into it. I certainly haven’t found any way of getting this accomplished, so I’ve messaged the Paper team for answers! I’ll get back to you here when I have a definitive yes or no! At the very least, it’s a great idea
 

Have a great week! 

[Sanchez · Accepted solution]

Hey @justrjlewis, 

So I’ve heard back from our Paper team, and unfortunately this feature isn’t currently available. They too liked the idea though
 

Cheers

[Sanchez]

Hey @justrjlewis, 

Would you mind taking a minute of your time to fill out a survey sharing your experience using our Dropbox Community? You can access the survey here: http://bit.ly/2lNKIxT

Thank you!

[nolastan]

According to the Dropbox blog, it is possible.

> You can even add placeholder text to help people better understand what information they need to fill in. 

And if you create a document from a meeting, there is placeholder text. 

[lukeyo]

Absolutely right, but this feature was introduced after the OP asked. Great feature!

[nolastan]

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@lukeyo wrote:
Absolutely right, but this feature was introduced after the OP asked. Great feature!

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Ok, but how do you do it? The OP's question still hasn't been answered.

[Walter · Accepted solution]

Hey @nolastan - great question you got there! 

You should be on your template's edit mode to add a placeholder text. (On your Paper doc, go to the ellipsis (...) button on the upper right corner, select templatise  and then select text that you want to convert into placeholder text and press the first icon on the left in the formatting toolbar) 

My colleague Jane has posted all about this in this thread - feel free to take a look there too! 

If there's anything else I can help with, let me know!

[nolastan]

Nope, that doesn't work for me. I tried opening my template and clicking "Templatize" but everything on the screen disappears and I see "An unknown error occurred." in the center of the screen.

[Walter]

Have you tried another browser yet @nolastan?