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Certificate templates

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Certificate templates define the layout and dynamic text used when the LMS generates certificates for completed content.

A template uses an ODT or DOCX source file for the certificate content. It can also use an optional PDF background when the fixed certificate design is kept separately from the dynamic text.

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After a template is ready, select it from the content item's Additional options. Learners receive the selected template when they download or are sent a completion certificate for that content.

In this section​

Certificate Templates List​

The Certificate templates list shows existing templates. The table includes columns such as Name and Updated.

Available actions can include:

  • Add – create a new certificate template.
  • Opening a template name – edit the selected template.

Create A Certificate Template​

The Add certificate template page creates the template record before files are uploaded.

The form contains:

  • Name – the template name shown in template lists and content settings.
  • Scope – the scope that controls where the template can be managed and selected.

After creation, the template page opens so the certificate files can be uploaded.

Certificate Template Page​

The certificate template page contains the template settings and files.

Available actions can include:

  • Preview – generate a PDF preview when a dynamic source file has been uploaded.
  • Delete – delete the template when deletion is allowed.

The page contains these tabs:

  • General – template name and scope.
  • Content – the document source and optional background file. This tab is not shown for managed templates whose files are maintained by Datafisher.

Content Template File​

The content template file is required before the template can generate certificates.

Upload an ODT or DOCX file that contains the certificate text, layout, and placeholders. The current file can be downloaded from the template page when one has already been uploaded.

Background File​

The background file is optional.

Upload a PDF background when the certificate has a fixed design, watermark, or branded layout that should be stamped behind the dynamic certificate content. The current background can be downloaded from the template page when one has already been uploaded.

Template Placeholders​

Use placeholders in the ODT or DOCX source where learner-specific or content-specific values should appear:

  • [NAME] – the learner's name.
  • [COURSE] – the content name.
  • [DESCRIPTION] – the content's certificate description.
  • [DATE] – the completion date.
  • [EXPIRES] – the expiration date, when the completion expires.

Placeholders should stay as plain bracketed text in the document. If a placeholder is split into separate formatted parts inside a DOCX file, the LMS may not be able to replace it.

Use A Template For Content​

Open the content item and select the template in Additional options > Certificate template.

The selected template is used when learners download certificates and when certificates are sent by email or SMS after completion. If no certificate template is selected, the LMS uses the default certificate.

The Description for certificate field on the same tab supplies the value used by the [DESCRIPTION] placeholder.