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Finding the right document automation service can take a lot of time and money.
Unfortunately, you are probably busier than ever in 2024—setting strategy for your group, bouncing from meeting to meeting, reading and responding to dozens of emails, and getting to grips with the post-Covid world of work.
To save you time, we've compared eight popular document automation companies. We've assessed them based on the following criteria:
All of our reviews are based on these nine criteria. With these criteria in mind, read below about the eight document automation software providers that you should consider in 2024.
Analysis Place Pros
Analysis Place Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Analysis Place generates Word and PowerPoint documents. Your skill at designing in Word and PowerPoint will determine how good your documents look.
Analysis place has a recently updated set of sample content you can view with the click of a button in the Word addin. Here is a sample:
Installation of Analysis Place is easy, because you do so through Microsoft Office's Get Add-ins feature. However, you will need to install Analysis Place in three separate applications. First, open Microsoft Word, click Insert, click “Get Add-ins”, type “Excel to Word” in the search bar, then click “Add”. Do this for each of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Analysis Place is made up of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint addins. The Excel addin appears as a pane on the right hand side of the program, which opens via the single button labelled "Automate Content".
Similarly the Word addin appears as a pane within Microsoft Word.
And when you follow the same procedure in PowerPoint, you will see this pane on the right of your application.
There is no accompanying desktop application to learn, which simplifies the learning process.
The process of creating documents takes some getting used to, but you can learn within about an hour. It involves making an asset (like a table or chart) in Excel, uploading to the cloud, then clicking link in Word or PowerPoint.
The process is smooth in Microsoft Word. We inserted and updated several tables and charts with ease.
We were able to add charts with ease to PowerPoint, but found it more difficult to add and update tables to our PowerPoint slides.
In one attempt, we followed the instructions by inserting a table into PowerPoint of the same dimensions as the one in Excel, then we clicked the button to link the Excel table to the PowerPoint button. The pop up message indicated the procedure was successful, but no data appeared in the PowerPoint table.
In another attempt, we successfully added and then updated content to our PowerPoint document, but each update created an entirely new PowerPoint document, which was confusing. This did not happen in Word. Overall we found the PowerPoint integration slightly confusing.
This is very minor, but throughout our tests in Word we noticed our cursor was usually in the spinning state, which made it seem like the application was waiting for something, but it didn't seem to correspond to anything meaningful. It did not prevent us writing in Word or doing Excel-to-Word updates, so this was merely a cosmetic issue.
Finally, this could be a Microsoft Office security issue, but the Analysis Place Add-in kept disappearing from Word and Excel throughout our tests. It was always quick to add back, though.
We love that Analysis Place reassures us that "Your uploaded data is never transferred, backed-up, or viewable by anyone else and is deleted daily" and "All customer data is always transmitted using encryption (SSL/TLS)".
Analysis Place is regularly updated and actively maintained. You can see the software's update history here: https://analysisplace.com/Resources/Update-History
Analysis Place is flexible and can work for many sectors. Analysis Place's website indicates that sales and marketing, business reporting, and assessment and evaluation reports are common uses of its software.
Analysis Place's website has an extensive list of helpful learning resources, including detailed how-to guides on how topics like creating Excel Links, Word Linking, PowerPoint Linking, Tables, and Personal Templates. This is welcome, because learning resources are important during both the getting started process and when you need to learn a more advanced technique.
Pros:
Cons:
Yes, you save your files to your computer and own your own data. Switching to another provider is easy.
Website: www.AnalysisPlace.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product.
Yes for use with Excel and Word, which allow you to get started quickly with a free trial and advance to the paid version if you find a price tier that works for you.
However, we found the PowerPoint integration somewhat confusing and would recommend other providers if PowerPoint is a priority for you.
Consider the tradeoffs you are willing to make between speed and beauty. In our experience, fast updates often come with somewhat plain looking documents. Conversely, the beautiful documents are often slow to update. You will need to choose what is most important to you.
DocuGenerate Pros
DocuGenerate Cons
Pros:
Cons:
With DocuGenerate, you specify your design in Microsoft Word. Therefore, how good your documents will look is only limited by DocuGenerate's default templates or your Word design skills.
DocuGenerate can generate PDFs based on content in Microsoft Word:
DocuGenerate is easy to use because you can create all of your content in Microsoft Word with all of your data in Microsoft Excel. If you are already familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel, you will be able to quickly pick up and learn DocuGenerate.
The online help section for DocuGenerate is clearly laid out and comprehensive, including screenshots to illustrate key concepts. You can also email support@docugenerate.com if you have a question that is not covered in the help library.
Finally, for programmers and power users, DocuGenerate has a clearly documented API reference.
Traffic between your computer and DocuGenerate's website is encrypted, so your information is safe in transit.
DocuGenerate provided the following statement about data retention: "The data used to generate documents is not stored anywhere. It is transient and only used to generate the intended documents. There is no time limit for storing the templates or documents. When a template or a document is deleted, the files are physically deleted from the cloud bucket. When receiving the generated documents in binary format, they are not stored in the cloud."
DocuGenerate has a narrow 'attack envelope' because it doesn't use a desktop application or Office addins, which means that those are not potential security threats. It is always a good thing to have a narrow attack envelope.
DocuGenerate is an online service, so you don't need to worry about out of date desktop software or Office addins. DocuGenerate is a SaaS (software as a service) offering.
The company also maintains a blog where they post about new features, like how to use AirTable instead of Excel as your data source.
DocuGenerate is flexible and can work for many sectors. On its website, DocuGenerate points out that users may wish to make invoices, write letters, create contracts, or generate certificates of award.
DocuGenerate invites users to contact them via support@docugenerate.com with any questions. It is often a good sign when document automation companies make it easy to contact customer support.
DocuGenerate offers a free basic option that allows you to produce up to 20 documents per month, with no credit card
Yes. Your data lives in your spreadsheets or JSON files, so if you want to switch to another document automation provider you can.
Website: www.docugenerate.com/
Yes, we do. Especially if you want to automate the creation of a new Word or PDF document for each line in an Excel database or JSON file (i.e., batch processing).
If you want to produce hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of documents, does your preferred provider have a clear pricing model for batch processing?
Dox42 Pros
Dox42 Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Dox42 automates content within Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Powerpoint. The quality of the outputs are therefore largely up to the user’s capabilities with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Dox42 Can generate PDFs based on content in Microsoft Word:
Dox42 is easy to use because it is Microsoft Office-based, including Microsoft Word, SharePoint, and Excel. If you are already familiar with Microsoft Word, you should be able to pick up and use Dox42 with ease and speed.
We are currently seeking information from Dox42's about the security steps they have taken and whether all information communicated between your PC and their servers is encrypted.
Dox42 has a Microsoft Word addin:
Some of the Word addin's dialogue boxes are functional but not always consistently or intuitively designed. For example, some dialog boxes open in tiny size and need to be expanded to be usable:
Dox42 has a Microsoft Excel addin:
You may occasionally notice some Excel dialog boxes haven't been fully translated from German to English:
Dox42 has a Microsoft PowerPoint addin:
Sometimes upon first opening dialog boxes the buttons are cut off, although manually expanding the dialog windows fixes the issue:
Dox42's installation procedure may appear cumbersome at first, but stick with it. After unzipping the contents of the Office Addins installer, for example, you'll be presented with four installation folders:
Inside each folder are files and more folders, although the setup.exe file was all we needed to use to get the Word addin installed:
Dox42 is flexible and can work for many sectors, but it's user base is most concentrated in Manufacturing and Finance.
Dox42 has a Learning Resources page containing a mix of video tutorials, demos, and discussions. The page can feel slightly disorganized, and it's not always easy to find what you need.
Pros:
Cons:
Yes. Dox42 makes use of data you already own and control in SharePoint and Excel, so if you want to switch to another document automation provider you can.
Website: www.dox42.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product. Here is one that focuses on Excel.
Yes, we do. Especially if you want to automate documents using SharePoint, speak German, and work in the manufacturing or finance sectors.
What one or two sectors does the document automation company specialize in? No company can focus on every sector. When new features are considered or bugs fixed, you'll be more likely to benefit if you're in a major sector the company focuses on.
Epsillion Pros
Epsillion Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Epsillion generates PDFs and HTML content that look professionally designed. These formats allow for total control over fonts, margins, colors, and graphics in a way that Microsoft Word and PowerPoint can't match. The visual quality of Epsillion's outputs is therefore higher than that of other document automation providers.
If brand compliance is important to you, Epsillion is one of your stronger choices.
Here is an example of a real estate research report:
Here is an example of presentation PDF:
Here is an example of a dashboard/infographic:
Epsillion is relatively easy to use because it is Microsoft Word- and Microsoft Excel-based. However, the variety of features mean that it can take several hours of practice and training to become an expert user.
Yes. Epsillion's installers are professionally signed and all traffic between your computer and Epsillion's servers is encrypted.
Yes. Epsillion's user interface melds with the latest versions of Microsoft Office and feels up-to-date.
Epsillion's Word addin is modern and fit in with Microsoft Word's user interface.
Epsillion's Excel addin is similarly up-to-date and makes use of both the ribbon and the sidebar to the right.
Epsillion supports high definition screens.
Epsillion is flexible and can be used in many sectors. We believe the two sectors that comprise the greatest number of their users are:
Epsillion has a helpful library of how-to YouTube videos.
Pros:
Cons:
Yes. You store data in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel on your own computers, so if you want to switch to another document automation provider you aren't locked in.
Website: www.epsillion.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product
Yes, we do. Particularly if you want professional looking reports and presentations, and you work with complex Excel models (e.g., business valuation professionals).
What quality of visual output do you need? For some purposes, Microsoft Word outputs will suit your needs. For companies that require strict brand compliance, PDF and HTML outputs tend to allow for the greatest control and most professional results.
HotDocs Pros
HotDocs Cons
Pros:
Cons:
HotDocs generates Microsoft Word documents. The quality of the outputs are therefore largely up to the user’s capabilities with Microsoft Word.
HotDocs is easy to use because it is Microsoft Word-based. An interview process walks you through the steps of creating your first document (software asks you a question about your document; you answer). If you are already familiar with Microsoft Word, you should be able to pick up and use HotDocs with ease and speed.
HotDocs says that, "All communication between the various components of HotDocs Document Services is encrypted using SSL/TLS. This includes communication from the browser to the web server, fromHotDocs Developer 10.2to the web application, and among all the various parts and pieces of theDocument Services stack."
HotDocs' Microsoft Word addin looks a bit dated and could use a refresh.
HotDocs doesn't have a Microsoft Excel addin.
Some users have reported that HotDocs doesn't support their high definition screens. As high definition screens become more common, we would like to see HotDocs support them.
HotDocs is flexible and can be used in many sectors. We believe the two sectors that comprise the greatest number of their users are:
We will reach out to HotDocs for confirmation, and will update this section when they provide it.
Somewhat confusingly, if you click on the Knowledge Base link on HotDocs' website, you'll be taken to AbacusNext's support website (AbacusNext is HotDocs' parent company):
There is a link to the HotDocs specific information, but following some of those links seems to take you to various holding pages that aren't yet populated with information:
We think HotDocs' support documentation could be better organized.
Pros:
Cons:
The data you enter into the HotDocs database cannot be downloaded to a CSV file that you can then use with other software. That means your data is locked into the HotDocs system.
Website: www.hotdocs.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product
Yes, we do. Especially if you want to populate your documents using questionnaires, and want the assurance of a company that has been in the automation sector for decades.
Does the company offer training videos and screensharing training sessions on demand? Those can be important for gaining the trust and confidence of your colleagues as the whole team learns the new system.
Upslide Pros
Upslide Cons
You can include all the normal things you would use in a PowerPoint document, plus dynamic content like numbers, charts, and tables originating in Microsoft Excel and PowerBI.
Upslide is for creating one PowerPoint deck at a time. The software doesn't allow you to generate multiple documents at once (batch mode).
Upslide generates Microsoft PowerPoint documents.
You can use Upslide's Library feature to access pre-saved brand-compliant slides and graphics
The software's Slide Check feature helps to ensure that shapes on slides are aligned, and flags potential errors like double spaces and highlighted text.
Upslide is easy to use because it is Microsoft PowerPoint- and Excel-based. If you are already familiar with Microsoft Office, you should be able to pick up and use Upslide with ease and speed.
There is no substantial cloud component to Upslide, and therefore security should not be a concern with this software.
Upslide has a fully featured Microsoft PowerPoint addin, including functionality in the Ribbon and right hand sidebar.
Upslide has a Microsoft Excel addin that can help you create charts and speed up common tasks (like writing CAGR formulas and copying formulas to the right), but its main feature is to indicate that you want a table or chart to link to PowerPoint or Word.
Finally, Upslide has a Microsoft Word addin. Upslide's Word addin can help you choose brand compliant templates and update charts and tables linked to Excel. However, Microsoft Word is not Upslide's focus and the feature set is therefore not as strong as it is in Upslide's PowerPoint addin.
We aren't crazy about how Upslide's Microsoft Office addins force themselves into the 'second from File' position in the Ribbon. You could argue that the unique and feature-packed PowerPoint addin deserves to do so, but it's harder to make the case for Upslide's Microsoft Word and Excel addins. Many users will need the native Microsoft Office features more often than the Upslide Word and Excel addin features.
Upslide specialises in the financial services sector. Many features and the terms used for them (like 'Tombstone' credentials and 'CAGR') will be familiar to people who work in the financial services sector.
Upslide's website has a very helpful User Guide section. The company has a small YouTube presence, but the short, to-the-point video clips on Upslide's website make up for it.
Pros:
Cons:
Yes. You own your Microsoft Office documents, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and PowerBI files. If you decide to stop using Upslide at some point in the future, you will still have access to all of your data.
Website: www.upslide.net
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product
Yes, we do. Especially if you're finance professional who uses PowerPoint a lot and brand compliance matters to your firm.
Windward Studios Pros
Windward Studios Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Windward Studios generates Microsoft Word documents. The quality of the outputs are therefore largely up to the user’s capabilities with Microsoft Word.
Here is an example of Windward Studios creating a letter:
Here is an example of Windward Studios updating an investment performance newsletter:
Here is an example of Windward Studios creating an insurance form:
You can see more examples of Windward Studios output in their helpful template library
Windward Studios is easy to use because it is Microsoft Word-based. If you are already familiar with Microsoft Word, you should be able to pick up and use Windward Studios with ease and speed.
We are currently seeking information from Windward Studios about the security steps they have taken and whether all information communicated between your PC and their servers is encrypted.
The Windward Studios team discusses security on their blog, so that shows a good level of security conscientiousness.
The Windword Studios Word addin looks modern and fits in well with the latest versions of Microsoft Office.
Windward Studios has a Microsoft Excel addin, although the company doesn't have enough information, videos, or screenshots of the addin on its website for us to assess it meaningfully.
We are seeking more information from Windward Studios and will update this section when we have an answer.
Windward Stuidios has helpful written documentation with a search feature:
There is also a small video training library:
Pros:
Cons:
Yes. Windword Studios works with SQL databases and other data sources that you own and control. If you want to move to another provider, you are free to do so.
Website: www.windwardstudios.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product
Yes, we do. Especially for people who want to use their favorite programming language and create a wide range of output formats
Ask document automation vendors about their security practices. The most secure software sits on your PC and doesn't communicate with external servers. The best cloud-based vendors use encryption during data transit and storage, and they delete as much user data as they can, on a regular schedule.
Woodpecker Pros
Woodpecker Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Woodpecker generates Microsoft Word documents. The quality of the outputs are therefore largely up to the user’s capabilities with Microsoft Word.
Woodpecker is easy to use because it is Microsoft Word-based. If you are already familiar with Microsoft Word, you should be able to pick up and use Woodpecker with ease and speed.
We liked how the software showed us how many instances of a particular variable existed in the report
However, we found that the counter wasn't always accurate, particularly after deleting one or more instances of the variable. The counter seems to be able to count up, but not down.
In the future, to improve documet-creation speed, we would like to see the cursor automatically positioned after a newly inserted variable, which would facilitate further typing or the insertion of additional variables in rapid succession. As it is, for some reason the cursor is placed to the left of newly inserted variables, so you need to manually click to the right to continue creating your document.
Woodpecker's large library of document templates, which you can adapt to suit your purposes, will help cut the time it takes to learn the software. Ready made templates that you can download, adapt, and use include:
Woodpecker's website doesn't mention security precautions, so we don't know enough to comment.
Woodpecker has an up-to-date looking sidebar Word addin.
Woodpecker doesn't have a Microsoft Excel addin.
Woodpecker was programmed specifically to serve the legal sector.
Woodpecker's training options are among the best and most extensive in the document automation industry. Woodpecker has an extensive self-service learning centre with helpful videos. The company offers easy to schedule live training sessions, and you can choose whether they are one-on-one or as part of a group. Woodpecker also has community discussion forums, where you can ask questions and share tips and tricks.
Pros:
Cons:
The data you enter into the Woodpecker database can be downloaded to a CSV file that you can then use with other software. That means your data is not locked into the Woodpecker system.
Website: www.woodpeckerweb.com
YouTube: YouTube video that shows someone actually using the product
Yes, we do. Particularly if you're in the legal sector and an extensive online learning library is important for you.
If you decide to change document automation companies, will you be able to take your data with you when you go? Or is your data locked in a database? If you need to upload data to their database, ask for an example of a CSV extract from that database; that will show what you can expect to take with you if you leave.
We are currently considering the following for potential, future reviews:
When choosing a document automation provider, ask for examples of all the output formats their software can generate. Some vendors can only supply one or two document types, others may be able to provide PDFs, HTML, Word documents, presentations, Kindle format, and others.