---
title: "Configuring an input parameter for your template"
slug: "configuring-an-input-parameter-for-your-template"
description: "Learn to configure input parameters in your Word template's data map for personalized document generation, enhancing user experience and accuracy."
tags: ["AddIn V5.0.4.2", "task"]
updated: 2026-11-04T10:50:04Z
published: 2026-11-04T10:50:04Z
canonical: "help.dox42.com/configuring-an-input-parameter-for-your-template"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dox42.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring an input parameter for your template

This article shows you how to create an [input parameter](/help/docs/input-parameters) for your data source and provides a basic explanation of the three input types, which can be selected in the **Input Parameter** window.

## Prerequisites

- [You have created a document template](/help/docs/creating-a-document-template).
- [You have created a data map](/help/docs/creating-a-standard-data-map).
- If you want your input parameter to be based on a data source: [You have added a data source to your data map](/help/docs/adding-a-data-source-to-your-data-map).

## Steps

1. Open your Word, Excel or PowerPoint template.
2. Go to the **dox42** ribbon and select **Data Map**.

![Toolbar displaying various functions like Generate, Data Map, and Refresh Template options.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/connecting-the-dox42-d365-ce-crm-data-source-to-microsoft-dynamics-crm-or-d365-ce-image-yhjte275.png)

**dox42** ribbon

The **Data Map Designer** window opens.

![Data Map Designer interface showing various data source options for integration.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-07 um 10.44.58.png)

**Data Map Designer** window
3. Select **Input Parameter**.
4. In the **Input Parameter name** text field enter a name for the parameter, for example `EnterID`*.*
5. Optional: In the **Comment** text field enter a call-to-action text that is going to be displayed before generating a document. For example: `Enter the participant's ID:`.
6. From the **Input type** dropdown select the desired entry:
  - **Text:** The user can enter text in the query that will be displayed before a document is generated.
  - **Select from Values:** The user can select one dropdown entry in the query that will be displayed before a document is generated. You now enter the values for the dropdown.
  - **Select from Data Source:** The user can select one dropdown entry in the query that will be displayed before a document is generated. You now select the data source and values.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> The **Input Parameter** feature has a wide range of uses, which vary depending on the data source. The following section provides a basic explanation of the three input types.
> 
> It might also be helpful to have a look at the [user interface description](/help/docs/input-parameter-window).

> [!NOTE]
> Important
> 
> Your input parameter will be available in the **dox42 Data Fields** window, from where you can insert it as a regular data field into your document.

**Input type **Select from Data Source****

This input type is useful for running tests directly within the dox42 Add-in.

From the **Data Source** dropdown, select a data source.

From the **Value** dropdown, select a data field that is unique, like `ID`, to ensure that the correct values are retrieved.

From the **Display Text** dropdown, however, select a data field other than ID (that probably won’t mean anything to you). If you select a display text like `Title` you will see its content in the query displayed before the document generation starts. Example:

![Input parameter settings for selecting employee titles from a data source.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/input_parameter_select_from_data_source.png)

Input type **Select from Data Source**

![Dropdown menu for selecting employee title, featuring Celina Bentley as an option.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Input_parameter_data-source_query.png)

Display of input parameter when generating the document

**Input type **Text****

This input type is mostly used for [loading XML/JSON data](/help/docs/importing-xml-json-data-from-an-input-parameter) or if you’d like to work with plain text.

    - In the **Default Value** text box you can enter
      - the ID of a sample record,
        - either in plain text format
        - or as a valid JSON structure by selecting the **JSON IDs Sample** button.
      - XML/JSON data that you obtained from another source
      - If you prefer, you can also carry out the test using a default value, e.g. a default content of a data field by selecting the **Insert Data Field** button. In the query that is going to be displayed before generating a document, the user will see exactly that specific content.

> [!TIP]
> Tip
> 
> Have a look at the [user interface description](/help/docs/input-parameter-window) to familiarise yourself with the other features of this window.

![Input parameter settings for entering participant ID in a data source interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto%202025-06-30%20um%2014.35.37.png)

Input type **Text** with ID as plain text

![](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Input_parameter_text_query.png)

Display of input parameter when generating the document

![](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/IP_requestbody_anlegen.png)

Input type **Text** with JSON request body

![](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/IP_requestbody.png)

Display of input parameter when generating the document

**Input type **Select from Values****

Create a list of values here that will be available for selection when generating the document. Example:

![Input parameter settings for employee welcome messages with selection options displayed.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/input_parameter_select_from_values.png)

Input type **Select from Values**

![Welcome message options for new employees, highlighting a friendly team introduction.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Input_parameter_Select-from-Values_query.png)

Display of input parameter when generating the document
7. Select **OK**. The input parameter is added to the data map.

![Data Map Designer window showing data sources and input parameters.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/input_parameter_added.png)

Data map with added input parameter
8. Only when using the input type **Select from Data Source**: Clone the data source for which you have just created an input parameter.

Therefore, in the **Data Map Designer** window, click on the data source and select the **Clone** button, which you’ll find in the **Edit** group.

> [!TIP]
> Naming tip
> 
> Ensure that cloned data sources are always clearly distinguishable from their originals since you will need the clones when designing your templates. We recommend using a suffix such as `_SELECTED`.

The data map now includes a cloned data source.

![Data Map Designer interface showing the cloned data source](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/image-1789550833496.png)

Data map with cloned data source
9. The cloned data source now needs to be filtered so that dox42 only outputs the value that was previously specified via the input parameter. Therefore, in the **Data Map Designer** window, click on the cloned data source and select the **Filter/Sort** button, which you’ll find in the **Configure** group. The **Filter/Sort** window opens.
10. Fill in only these columns as follows:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Filter_Sort_cloned_data_source.png)

Filter settings for a data source with an input parameter
  - **Data Field** column = `ID`
  - **Type** column = `Numeric`
  - **Filter** column = `=`
  - **Filter Field** column = your input parameter that refers to the cloned data source
11. Select **OK** to go back to the **Data Map Designer** window.

> [!TIP]
> Tip
> 
> You can expand your data sources to see where filters have been applied and adjust these filters at any time by double-clicking. ![Data Map Designer interface showing data sources and filter/sort options for employee data.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/input_parameter_expanded_data_source.png)
12. Select **File > Save** to save the data map.
13. Save the document template, too.

## Result

You have configured an input parameter.

As soon as you [generate the document](/help/docs/generating-a-document-for-testing-1), you will now see the configured query before the document generation starts.

## Next step

Optional: [Inserting your input parameter’s data fields into your Word template](/help/docs/inserting-data-fields)