Overview
Crelate's Native eSignature makes it easy to create, send, and manage eSignature requests directly within Crelate. You can send signing requests from Contacts or through Onboarding Checklists, and completed documents are automatically saved to the originating record.
For frequently used documents, you can create reusable eSignature Templates to pre-configure signing fields, recipients, and other settings, saving time and maintaining consistency with every request.
The guides below provide a complete overview of Native eSignature and walk you through each stage of the process, from creating and managing templates to sending and tracking eSignature requests.
Step 1: Enable eSignature Permissions
Before users can create or send eSignature requests, an Admin must enable the appropriate permissions for each applicable User Role.
Go to Settings → User Roles.
Select the User Role you want to update.
Enable Full eSignature permissions for any role that needs to create or send eSignature requests.
Repeat these steps for each applicable User Role.
Note: Full eSignature is a dedicated permission for Native eSignature. If your users previously had Dropbox Sign permissions, those permissions do not automatically carry over and must be configured separately.
Step 2: Create an eSignature Template
eSignature Templates allow you to prepare documents in advance by configuring signing fields, recipients, signing order, and other settings. Once created, you can reuse templates whenever you need to send the same type of document.
Go to Settings → eSignature Templates.
Click + to create a New Template.
Upload your document and name the template. Supported file types include PDF and Word documents.
You can add multiple documents to a single eSignature template, making it easier to include everything your signers need in one signing packet. You can add up to 20 documents, with a combined file size limit of 10 MB.
After uploading your initial documents, select the + icon in the document preview to add additional documents.
You can also replace a document after adding it to a template while retaining all existing fields. To do this, select Replace from the three-dot menu in the document preview.
Configure the signers and, if applicable, set the signing order. When you add multiple signers, the signing order is automatically enforced. For example, Signer 1 must complete their portion before Signer 2 can begin.
When assigning an internal Crelate user as a signer, select the appropriate user by choosing Select Role rather than adding them as a Contact or entering their email address.
If the signer does not have a corresponding Crelate Contact or User, select Specific Email and enter their email address.
Select the Fields tab to add signing fields to your document.
Before adding fields, select the appropriate signing role to ensure each field is assigned to the correct person. Crelate supports a variety of field types, including Signature, Initials, Name, Job Title, Date, Text, Checkbox, and more.
To remove a field, select it and click the Trash icon, or press Backspace on your keyboard.
Customize the email message that will accompany the eSignature request.
You can also add CC recipients to keep additional parties informed. Be sure to provide a name and email address for each CC recipient.
Click Save to save your template.
Tip: Once you create your template, you can edit it at any time to update the document, fields, recipients, or other template settings.
Step 3: Send an eSignature Request
Once you have created a template, you can use it to quickly send an eSignature request from a Contact. You can also send a one-time request without using a saved template.
Open the Contact Record you want to send the request from. From the This Contact dropdown, select Send eSignature Request.
Choose whether you want to send the request using a Template or the One-Time Send option.
If you select a template, the saved document, signers, fields, and other template settings will populate automatically.
If you choose One-Time Send, you will need to upload the document, add your signers, and configure the required signing fields manually.
To add a signer who is not a Crelate Contact or User, enter their email address. You do not need to select a Contact or User in the Select a Signer field.
Review the request details and click Send.
The signer will receive an email with a link to review and complete the document. Once the signing process is complete, the system automatically saves the completed document to the originating record using the eSignature document type.
For more information about signer and CC recipient notifications, see our Creating and Sending eSignature Requests help guide.
Tracking Signature Status
You can monitor the status of an eSignature request directly from the record where you created it.
Open the eSignature document from the Activity Stream or Documents tab to view its current status. Available statuses include:
In Progress – The signing process is still underway.
Completed – All required parties have completed the signing process.
Canceled – The request has been canceled.
Using eSignature in Onboarding Checklists
You can also incorporate eSignature directly into your Onboarding Checklists. By adding an eSignature template as a checklist process item, you can trigger signature requests as part of your existing onboarding workflow.
To get started:
When creating or editing a Checklist Template, select eSignature as the process item type and link it to the appropriate eSignature Template.
If you previously used Dropbox Sign process items in your checklists, you must update them to use your Native eSignature Templates. Existing Dropbox Sign process items will not automatically convert to Native eSignature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the completed document saved?
A: Completed eSignature documents are automatically saved to the record from which the request was sent and use the eSignature document type. At this time, completed eSignature documents cannot be reassigned to a different document type.
Q: Can I still access eSignature documents completed through Dropbox Sign?
A: Yes. Any eSignature documents completed through Dropbox Sign before the migration remain available on the applicable records in Crelate.
Q: What happens to Dropbox Sign requests that were already sent but have not been completed?
A: Existing Dropbox Sign requests that were in progress at the time of migration can continue through completion as normal. Only new eSignature requests must use Native eSignature.
Q: Can I add a clickable hyperlink to an eSignature document?
A: Yes. You can add URL links as hyperlinks within Text fields in an eSignature Template. Hyperlinks become clickable after all signers have completed the signing process.
Hyperlinks cannot be added to fields using the Auto-fill option. If you need to include a hyperlink in a pre-filled field, assign the field to the Sender and add the hyperlink before sending the request.
eSignature Enhancements
We are continually improving Native eSignature to make creating, sending, and completing eSignature requests easier and more efficient. Explore the guides below to see the latest enhancements and improvements we have introduced:
Your Feedback Helps Shape What Comes Next
Many of these enhancements are inspired by feedback from our clients. We are committed to continuing to listen, improve, and deliver an eSignature experience that makes your day-to-day work easier.
Have an idea for how we can make eSignature even better? Share your feedback and ideas directly on our Feedback Board.