Generating the document in bulk

Sep 30, 2019

HRStop offers a powerful feature that enables HR teams to generate multiple employee documents—such as appointment letters, offer letters, salary breakups, appraisal letters, or increment notices—in bulk using standardized templates. This not only streamlines the documentation process but also ensures consistency and accuracy across employee communication.


Where to Find the Document Template Feature

Navigation Path: Control Panel → Forms and Policies → Document Template

Once inside the Document Template module, you’ll see a list of previously created templates. Each template offers various actions like generating, editing, cloning, and bulk generation.


Step-by-Step Guide to Bulk Generate Employee Documents

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Template

  • From the list of templates available, locate the one you want to use (e.g., “Offer Letter Template,” “Appraisal Template”).
  • In the Actions column, click the Bulk Generate icon (📄) associated with that template.

Step 2: Filter and Select Target Employees

On the Bulk Generation Page, you will be asked to select the target employees for whom the documents will be generated.

Filter Options Include:

  • Status:
    Choose among Active, All, or Deactivated employees.
  • Department, Designation, Bank:
    Narrow down the employee list based on these filters if required.
  • Individual Employee Selection:
    Use the multi-select dropdown to choose one or more employees.

Tip: You can generate documents for an entire department in one go by using department filters.


Step 3: Auto-Populate Document Fields

Click on the Populate button.

This action will:

  • Automatically fill the document fields using values pulled from employee profiles.
  • Include mapped fields such as:
    • Employee Name
    • Code
    • Date of Joining
    • Designation
    • Department
    • Payroll fields (CTC, Basic, HRA, etc.)

This data is populated into the placeholders (keys) used in the document template.


Step 4 (Optional): Modify or Override Field Values

If the auto-populated values are incorrect or require customization, you can update them in bulk using the Import Key Values feature.

How to Use Import Key Values:

  1. Click the Import Key Values button.
  2. Download the provided sample CSV file.
  3. The CSV will contain:
    • Employee Names
    • All mapped fields/keys used in the template
    • Corresponding values
  4. Modify any values as needed (e.g., adjust annual HRA, bonus amount, revised basic).
  5. Save the updated file and upload it back.
  6. Click Upload to refresh the template data with your new values.

This ensures your final document reflects accurate, updated data per employee.


Step 5: Enter Document Metadata

Before generating, enter key details:

  • Title:
    This will be used as the document name.
    Example: “Salary Increment Letter – FY 2024–25”
  • Category:
    Choose the document category where it should be stored in the employee’s profile (e.g., Offer Letters, Appraisals, Exit Documents).
  • Publish Option (Optional):
    Check the Publish box if you want employees to be able to access and download the generated document from their HRStop portal.

Step 6: Choose File Format and Security

HRStop allows you to save documents in two formats:

  • PDF (.pdf): For secured, shareable documents
  • DOCX (.docx): For editable versions

Optional: Enable Password Protection

  • Check the box labeled “Make Document Password Protected.”
  • The password will follow the same rules as your Payslip Password Configuration.
  • Password protection applies only to PDF files.

Useful for documents like salary revisions, compensation breakups, or termination letters.


Step 7: Generate and Save

  • Click Generate and Save to create and store the document.
  • Alternatively, click Generate if you do not wish to save it in employee profiles at that time.
  • Use the Reset button to clear existing values and start over, if necessary.

Once generated:

  • The documents will be saved under each selected employee’s profile.
  • If published, employees can download them anytime.

Key Notes and Best Practices

  • Use bulk generation for high-volume HR tasks such as onboarding, quarterly appraisals, annual revisions, or mass communication.
  • Keep templates updated with the latest keys and formulas to minimize manual intervention.
  • Always preview or test with a few employees before performing a full bulk run.
  • Use password protection for any document containing salary, legal, or personal information.

FAQ

Yes, HRStop allows you to bulk-generate department-specific documents using the Bulk Generate feature.

Steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel → Forms and Policies → Document Template.
  2. Click on the Bulk Generate icon beside the relevant document template.
  3. Use the dropdown filters to select:
    • Department
    • Designation
    • Bank (if applicable)
  4. Select employees under the chosen filters.
  5. Click on Populate and proceed with document generation.

This is especially helpful during onboarding, appraisal, or policy distribution across teams.

If system-filled values (like allowances, HRA, etc.) are inaccurate or outdated, you can use the Import Key Values option to override them.

Steps to Correct Template Values:

  1. During Bulk Generation, click on the Import Key Values button.
  2. Download the sample CSV provided.
  3. Open the CSV file – it will contain:
    • Employee names
    • Keys used in the document (e.g., Basic, HRA)
    • Auto-filled values from the system
  4. Manually update the incorrect values (e.g., update Annual HRA from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000).
  5. Save and upload the modified file.
  6. Once uploaded, the system will reflect the updated values in the letter.

Use this method when payroll details need temporary or document-specific changes.

Yes, employees can view and download the documents from their HRStop profile if the document is published.

How to Publish:

  1. During document generation, enter:
    • Document Title
    • Document Category
  2. Check the box labeled Publish.
  3. Generate and save the document.

The document will then:

  • Be visible under the Employee Profile → Documents section.
  • Be accessible for download at any time by the employee.

Use this option when sending offer letters, appraisal letters, or any formal communication.

Yes, HRStop supports password protection for PDF versions of documents.

How to Enable:

  1. During document generation, locate the checkbox:
    • “Make Document Password Protected”
  2. Check this option before clicking Generate.
  3. The password used will follow the same rules as Payslip Password Configuration (e.g., PAN + DOB).

Password protection applies only to PDF documents, not to .docx files.

This is especially useful for sensitive documents like:

  • Compensation Breakups
  • Increment or Appraisal Letters
  • Termination Letters

HRStop allows documents to be saved and downloaded in the following formats:

  • PDF (.pdf): Recommended for secure, shareable documents.
  • DOCX (.docx): Ideal if further editing is needed post-generation.

Format Selection:

  • You can choose the desired format during the document generation step.
  • Both formats are downloadable from the employee's profile if Publish was enabled.

It's best practice to use PDF with password protection for finalized or sensitive communication.

The signature is missing or not displayed in the final generated document created using a document template.

Possible Cause:

This issue usually occurs when the signature was copied and pasted directly from another document (such as a Word file, email, or PDF), which may lead to improper formatting or rendering errors during document generation in HRStop.

How to Fix It:

Follow these steps to ensure the signature appears correctly:

  1. Do not copy-paste the signature image directly from another source (Word, web, or PDF).
  2. Instead, download or save the signature image file (in PNG or JPG format) directly onto your device/system.
  3. Open your Document Template in HRStop via: Control Panel → Forms and Policies → Document Template
  4. Edit the desired template.
  5. Use the Insert Image option within the editor to upload the saved signature image from your device.
  6. Save the template after inserting the image.

Result:

The signature will now be properly embedded and will appear correctly in all generated documents, whether generated individually or in bulk.

Tip:

For best results:

  • Use a transparent PNG signature file.
  • Keep the signature dimensions optimal (around 300px wide).
  • Ensure the template is saved and re-tested after updating.