This guide explains how to create and use custom placeholders in Solargraf to automatically populate your own values, dates, and calculations in documents and contracts.

Overview

Similar to project placeholders and DocuSign placeholders, custom placeholders are tags that can be added to a document and are replaced by their respective values at the time of document/contract generation. While project placeholders derive their values from the project, the value of a custom placeholder can be set up by the user.

For example, if a user wants to add a Homeowner’s Association identification to a document, they can create a placeholder called HOA ID and define its value. They can then add this placeholder to the document where they want the HOA ID to be populated.

All custom placeholders available in company settings at the time of project creation will automatically be imported to the project settings. Users can set up the value of a custom placeholder in company settings or in project settings. If the value for a placeholder was defined in company settings, the value will also be imported to project settings. Even if the value is imported from company settings, users can still change the value of a custom placeholder. This gives them the flexibility to have a single custom placeholder for a data point that might have different values for different projects.

Using the example above, the HOA ID can be different for different projects. Users can define the value of the HOA ID custom placeholder at the individual project level, and the respective value will be populated in the document where the placeholder is added.

What custom placeholders can do

Custom placeholders can be created in Company Settings for use across the company or in Project Settings for a specific project.

Placeholder types and examples

Text or numeric placeholders

Use this type for information that does not require a calculation or date picker. It accepts text, numbers, and special characters.

• Placeholder name: Master Electrician License
  Value: EC-12345678
• Placeholder name: Regional Utility Account ID
  Value: PGE-BLD-9981

Date placeholders

Use a date placeholder when the value represents a specific calendar date. Select the date with the calendar picker or enter it manually.

Supported dates range from 07 Oct 2026 through 31 Dec 2099.

• Placeholder name: Target Installation Date
  Value: May 15, 2026
• Placeholder name: Permit Submission Target
  Value: April 20, 2026

Note: If a date has not been assigned, the document preview may show -. The generated document uses the date entered for the project.

Numeric or currency formulas

Use formulas to calculate values from project pricing, financing, savings, discounts, or other numeric fields. Press Ctrl + / in the value field to insert an available project placeholder. Mac users can use Cmd + /.

Formulas follow standard mathematical order of operations, including parentheses, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. Formula values can be up to 500 characters.

• 50% deposit:0.5 * {{gross_cost}}
  If the gross cost is $24,000, the result is $12,000.
• Net cost after incentive:{{gross_cost}} - {{itc_amount}}
  If the gross cost is $20,000 and the incentive is $6,000, the result is $14,000.
• Processing fee:{{gross_cost}} + 250

Date formulas

Date formulas calculate a new date by adding or subtracting whole days from a supported project date.

Common base dates include {{contract_date}}, {{project_created_date}}, and {{document_expiration_date}}.

• Payment due date:{{contract_date}} + 10
  A contract date of April 7, 2026 produces April 17, 2026.
• Pre-expiration audit:{{document_expiration_date}} - 5

Note: Date formulas support only addition or subtraction of whole days. Do not combine date fields with currency or numeric fields in the same formula.

How to create a custom placeholder

• Open Company Settings for a company-wide placeholder, or open the project and go to Project Settings for a project-specific placeholder.
• Open Document Templates, then select Custom Placeholders.
• Click Add Placeholder.
• Enter a unique placeholder name.
• Select Text/Numeric, Date, or Formula.
• Enter the value, select a date, or build the formula.
• Click Save.
• Open the document template editor and insert the saved placeholder where it is needed.

Important rules and validation

• Names must be unique: A custom placeholder cannot use the name of an existing system or DocuSign placeholder.
• Formulas are validated: Solargraf checks for valid operators, balanced parentheses, and supported fields before saving.
• Missing values show as NA: If a formula depends on a project field without a value, the generated document displays NA.
• Preview may show the formula: Depending on the document view, the preview can display the formula text. The generated customer document displays the calculated result.

Quick examples

Frequently asked questions

Can I combine a date and a dollar amount in one formula?

No. Numeric and currency formulas must use numeric values. Date formulas must use date fields and whole-day offsets.

What happens when a project field used in a formula is empty?

The generated document displays NA so the customer does not receive an incorrect calculation.

Where should I create a placeholder?

Create it in Company Settings when multiple projects or templates need it. Create it in Project Settings when the value applies only to one project.

Can I use a custom placeholder in any document?

After saving the placeholder, insert it through the placeholder list in the document template editor. The placeholder is available according to the company or project scope where it was created.

Best practice: Use clear names, confirm that every referenced project field has a value, and test the generated document before sending it to a customer.

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