> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.box.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authoring a PDF template

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Box Doc Gen uses a PDF AcroForm as the template for generating documents. This article explains which PDF form type to use and how to prepare your template.

## PDF form types

There are two types of PDF forms: AcroForm and XFA. Box Doc Gen supports any PDF AcroForm as a template for generating documents.

* **AcroForm** is the standard format used by Adobe Acrobat and most PDF tools.
* **XFA** is an older format from Adobe LiveCycle. XFA forms look the same on screen, but Box Doc Gen cannot fill them in.

<Note>
  Not sure which type your PDF is? Open it in Adobe Acrobat, and then go to **File** > **Properties** > **Advanced** to view the form type. If it shows XFA, convert the PDF before you use it.
</Note>

## Setting up your PDF template

Box Doc Gen assumes your PDF template is a fillable PDF form that is already tagged and labeled with overlay fields, such as an income declaration form, revenue form, or tax form.

If your PDF template is not a fillable PDF form, use a PDF editor to tag and label the fields. Popular tools include Adobe Acrobat Pro, Apryse, and Sejda.

<Tip>
  Most PDF forms published by government agencies are designed for manual completion, so their form fields are often not configured or tagged for programmatic data population. Tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Apryse, and Sejda help you identify, map, and configure these fields, making it easier to populate the forms dynamically and automate document generation.
</Tip>