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A Preparer is a type of recipient who fills in information on behalf of another party. The information entered by a preparer is displayed in subsequent ceremonies. Preparers are useful when:
  • Data fields need to be populated by someone other than the signer
  • An internal team member must add details that will be visible to other recipients
  • Contract terms or values need to be entered by a specific party
  • Administrative information must be collected separately from signatures
Unlike signers, preparers do not sign documents. Their role is to complete input fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, or other data entry places assigned to them.
Preparers are functionally equivalent to approvers. The only differences are in the UI wording and confirmation messages shown to the recipient during the ceremony.

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Preparer’s Ceremony

The preparer interacts with the envelope and its documents through the Preparer’s Ceremony. During the ceremony, the preparer reviews the documents and fills out input places assigned to them. These places may include:
  • Text input fields for names, dates, or other information
  • Checkboxes for selecting options
  • Other data entry fields as defined in the document
Text input After filling out all required places, the preparer finishes the ceremony by clicking Finish. The envelope then proceeds to the next recipient in the routing order. Prepared confirmation
Preparers do not create a record on the Audit Log. Only signers have their actions recorded in the audit log that is included in the deliverable.

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Workflow Example

A typical workflow involving a preparer:
1

Create envelope

Include a preparer recipient to fill in contract details.
2

Preparer completes their ceremony

The preparer enters required information (e.g., pricing, dates, terms).
3

Subsequent recipients see the data

Recipients after the preparer see the document with the preparer’s fields filled in.
4

Signers complete signing

Signers review and sign the document.

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Creating an Envelope with a Preparer

When creating an envelope, specify type: "preparer" for recipients who should fill in information without signing. 
// POST https://api.signatureapi.com/v1/envelopes
// X-API-Key: key_test_...
// Content-Type: application/json

{
    "title": "Sales Agreement",
    "recipients": [
        {
            "key": "sales_rep",
            "type": "preparer",
            "name": "Alex Smith",
            "email": "alex@company.com"
        },
        {
            "key": "customer",
            "type": "signer",
            "name": "Jordan Lee",
            "email": "jordan@customer.com"
        }
    ],
    "routing": "sequential",
    //...
}
In this example, the sales representative (preparer) fills in the agreement details, and the customer (signer) signs the document. With sequential routing, the preparer’s input is visible to the signer.

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Assigning Places to a Preparer

Preparers can fill in input places such as text inputs, checkboxes, and dropdowns. Places are assigned to an preparers using the recipient_key property. Signature and initials places cannot be assigned to preparers. 
{
    "documents": [
        {
            "places": [
                {
                    "type": "text_input",
                    "recipient_key": "sales_rep",
                    "key": "contract_value",
                    //...
                },
                {
                    "type": "signature",
                    "recipient_key": "customer",
                    //...
                }
            ],
            //...
        }
    ],
    //...
}

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Next Steps