Connected Variables: Tables & Repeater Sections – Outlaw

There are two ways to pull in data from Filevine collection sections into Outlaw using connected variables: repeater sections and collection section generated tables.

Collection Section Tables with Connected Variables

How to Create within a Draft

In your template, begin typing [+ to quick-select the connected variable option.

Enter the name of the collection section you are looking for. The individual fields from this section will not yet appear.

Once your section is selected, click on the section and select Configure to open the modal, where you can choose your column headers. You have the option here to update the Data Type of these items pulling in from Filevine.

How to Update within Flow

Connected variable tables generated out of collection sections do not have the option of setting a syncing cadence, but they can manually sync their data as needed.

To import data to the table, click on the blue selector field in the document and choose the relevant items from the selector popup.

Note: In the table, fields will display an indicator as to whether their data can be pushed back to Filevine (purple sync icon), or whether it is local to the document only (gray no-sync icon).

To re-import or select different data, click the vertical ellipsis menu on that row, and choose Re-select (collection) data from the dropdown. To manually edit data in the table, select that row’s ellipses menu, choose Edit row, and enter the new values.

To push the data from a single row back to Filevine, choose Save to Filevine from the ellipses menu for that row. To push the data from the entire table back to Filevine, choose the Sync data to Filevine button at the bottom of the table. Note that in both cases, only those fields with the appropriate indicator will sync back to Filevine.

Totaling within Collection Section Tables

Once you have created a collection section table, you can view total amount values in the final row of your table, like “Total Billed Amount for a Medical Expense Table.”

Click a section field code and select Configure to open the modal. Select the column you would like summed, and select Sum this column. Click Update and then click Save.
Next, click the collection section table field code and toggle on the “Show Total Row” option. If desired, edit the total row label. Click Update.

💡 The total will only show the total of the items you have selected from the collection section.

💡You can total multiple different columns—just follow the preceding steps for each column

Referencing Table Totals

Totals from table columns can be referenced as read-only properties of the table, allowing them to be used throughout the document in both an Outlaw and FVDA context.

To reference a total from a column, enter the name of the table and select the column name from the auto-suggested list.

Calculated Columns

Within Outlaw and FVDA tables, calculated columns can be enabled to perform basic math functions between numerical values within the document or within the table itself. This functionality allows tables to be used for invoice-like situations where adjustments like reductions or fees, or net amounts may need to be shown on a row-by-row basis.

Configuring a Calculated Column

To enable a calculated column, click on the relevant table variable and select Configure.
Select the column where you want to do calculations, and enable the “Calculated column” setting.
In the “Formula” field, begin typing your formula. To reference values from within the same table, use the { indicator. Column names will be auto-suggested if their values are numerical.

For more information on writing formulas, refer to Calculated Variables.

Repeater Sections with Connected Variables

Repeater sections are a great way to have collection section data pulled into an Outlaw template and repeated for each collection item.

How to add a Repeater section in Draft

Once your template is connected, navigate to the new Section menu and insert a Repeater section.
Once a Repeater section is selected, select your desired Filevine Collection section.
In order to enter the available fields from the collection section, utilize the {symbol in your desired Prose. Your Prose can contain Party or Variable elements as well.

Note: Your selected collection fields can be updated for Data Type/Formatting by either clicking on the field or accessing the Configure option under the setup menu for the Repeater section.

Repeater Sections in Flow

Repeater sections can be edited within Flow if necessary by either clicking into the item or by selecting the ellipses and choosing the Edit section option. These items do not sync with Filevine and updates will remain in Outlaw.