# Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed

> What's New? We are excited to introduce Recurring Invoice Generation integrated directly into our 2-in-1 Documents & Contracts feature. This enhancement…

- Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/documents-and-contracts/documents-and-contracts-2/documents-contracts-how-to-automate-sending-invoices-when-documents-are-signed
- Section: Documents & Contracts / Documents and Contracts
- Reading time: 2 min
- Images: 14, each explained below
- Modified on Wed, 17 Dec, 2025 at 9:46 AM

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## What's New?

We are excited to introduce **Recurring Invoice Generation** integrated directly into our 2-in-1 Documents & Contracts feature. This enhancement allows users to automate the creation and management of recurring invoices seamlessly at the time of document signing. Key updates include:

-   **Automated Settings Drawer:** When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration.
    
    
![Step 1 of 4: Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192610/original/m32qF971fhQ6W0aWKAm1haQRa96V4I8eJw.png)

**Step 1 of 4: Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new…**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 4 in the "What's New?" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration. The next step is to automatic Recurring Type Assignment: Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.
- What this covers: Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration.
- Controls: Recurring Invoice Generation
- Next: Automatic Recurring Type Assignment: Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.

Full procedure:

1. Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration.  <- this image
2. Automatic Recurring Type Assignment: Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.
3. Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types.
4. Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.

    
-   **Automatic Recurring Type Assignment:** Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.
-   **Price Type Tags:** Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types.
    
    
![Step 3 of 4: Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192575/original/BvTl1r-opmC8DgoyB8z7wzUbyuTU5E24HQ.png)

**Step 3 of 4: Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or…**

This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 4 in the "What's New?" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types. The next step is to flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.
- What to fill in: Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types.
- Controls: Recurring Invoice Generation
- Next: Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.

Full procedure:

1. Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration.
2. Automatic Recurring Type Assignment: Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.
3. Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types.  <- this image
4. Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.

    
-   **Flexible Invoice Scheduling:** Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.
    
    
![Step 4 of 4: Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192590/original/PphDdpE_JVjTz8UCOdPTjOjDc__V-bCtcA.png)

**Step 4 of 4: Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices…**

This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 4 in the "What's New?" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.
- What to choose: Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.
- Controls: Recurring Invoice Generation

Full procedure:

1. Automated Settings Drawer: When adding a product list to a new template or document, clicking the product list automatically opens the settings drawer for easy configuration.
2. Automatic Recurring Type Assignment: Adding a recurring product changes its type to recurring automatically.
3. Price Type Tags: Visual tags indicate whether a product is one-time or recurring, helping users differentiate between pricing types.
4. Flexible Invoice Scheduling: Users can now choose to generate invoices immediately upon signing or based on a fixed schedule relative to the signing date.  <- this image

    

## How to Use

### For Templates

1.  **Create a New Template:**
    
    -   Navigate to **Payments** > **Documents & Contracts** > **Templates** > **New Template**.
        
        
![Step 1 of 1: Navigate to Payments > Documents & Contracts > Templates > New Template](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192695/original/_2f8RiHPRq3Ck-IfTr1HmJdOpvMFgpdAOQ.png)

**Step 1 of 1: Navigate to Payments > Documents & Contracts > Templates > New Template**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "For Templates" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you navigate to Payments > Documents & Contracts > Templates > New Template. The navigation path used here is Payments > Documents. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.

- Path: Payments > Documents
- Where to go: Navigate to Payments > Documents & Contracts > Templates > New Template.
- Fields: Configure Recurring Products:, Distinguish Product Types:, Note:
- Controls: Payments, Documents & Contracts, Templates, New Template

        
2.  **Add a Product List and Signature:**
    
    -   Add a product list to your template.
    -   Insert a signature element where required.
        
        
![Step 2 of 2: Insert a signature element where required](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192790/original/18VAl-uoP2MKbCWRUUOqI6zYkIFvSCQ4Bg.png)

**Step 2 of 2: Insert a signature element where required**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "For Templates" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you insert a signature element where required. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: Insert a signature element where required.
- Fields: Configure Recurring Products:, Distinguish Product Types:, Note:
- Controls: Payments, Documents & Contracts, Templates, New Template

Full procedure:

1. Add a product list to your template.
2. Insert a signature element where required.  <- this image

        
3.  **Configure Recurring Products:**
    
    -   Add a recurring product to the product list.
    -   The settings drawer will automatically open for configuration.
        
        
![Step 2 of 2: The settings drawer will automatically open for configuration](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192818/original/XWkZ94CHm5lsYqgW7teiPASepCzdpa3rMA.png)

**Step 2 of 2: The settings drawer will automatically open for configuration**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "For Templates" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you the settings drawer will automatically open for configuration. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: The settings drawer will automatically open for configuration.
- Fields: Configure Recurring Products:, Distinguish Product Types:, Note:
- Controls: Payments, Documents & Contracts, Templates, New Template

Full procedure:

1. Add a recurring product to the product list.
2. The settings drawer will automatically open for configuration.  <- this image

        
4.  **Distinguish Product Types:**
    
    -   The product list will display distinctions between one-time and recurring products.
    -   **Note:**
        -   **One-Time Products:** Always treated as one-time payments.
        -   **Recurring Products with Setup Fee:** Displayed as two line items—one for the recurring payment and another for the one-time setup fee.
        -   Only recurring products will be billed in subsequent invoices sent

### Configuring Recurring Invoice settings within the product list

1.  **Generate Invoice at Signing:**
    
    -   **Toggle On:**Creates a recurring invoice schedule with the first invoice generated at the time of signing. Subsequent invoices follow the defined frequency (e.g., monthly).
        -   _Example:_ If a document is signed on January 25th with a monthly schedule, the next invoice is sent on February 25th.
    -   **Toggle Off:** Allows users to set a specific date for the invoice to be sent, regardless of the signing date.
2.  **Enable Direct Payment:**
    
    -   **Toggle On:** Redirects the primary signer directly to the invoice page after signing and sends an email with the invoice.
    -   **Toggle Off:** The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later.
        
        
![Step 2 of 2: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192852/original/53u9d00rt6mIJJRGbNWgOoALYyEREYHhfA.png)

**Step 2 of 2: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Configuring Recurring Invoice settings within the product list" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below.
- What to choose: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later.
- Fields: Generate Invoice at Signing:, Enable Direct Payment:

Full procedure:

1. Toggle On: Redirects the primary signer directly to the invoice page after signing and sends an email with the invoice.
2. Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later.  <- this image

        
        
![Step 2 of 2: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192883/original/9VWaDF-ImEVjKlK_pm_qLC-ASsWa7Mxllg.png)

**Step 2 of 2: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Configuring Recurring Invoice settings within the product list" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below.
- What to choose: Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later.
- Fields: Generate Invoice at Signing:, Enable Direct Payment:

Full procedure:

1. Toggle On: Redirects the primary signer directly to the invoice page after signing and sends an email with the invoice.
2. Toggle Off: The invoice is saved as a draft and can be sent manually later.  <- this image

        

### Workflow Configuration

1.  **Save the Template:**
    
    -   After configuring, save your template.
        
        
![Step 1 of 1: After configuring, save your template](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192893/original/-3UIQsdRELaPte1YEzcXcntWdBZGqKdhxg.png)

**Step 1 of 1: After configuring, save your template**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you after configuring, save your template. For context, this section explains: Save the Template: Configure Workflow: Send and Complete: Track Payments. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- How to confirm: After configuring, save your template.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

        
2.  **Configure Workflow:**
    
    -   Go to **Workflows** and set up a new workflow using the saved template.
        
        
![Step 1 of 1: Go to Workflows and set up a new workflow using the saved template](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192926/original/trhoweVKEWsarS92L9_mLcX6oECFxCQrFg.png)

**Step 1 of 1: Go to Workflows and set up a new workflow using the saved template**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you go to Workflows and set up a new workflow using the saved template. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- Where to go: Go to Workflows and set up a new workflow using the saved template.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

        
3.  **Send and Complete:**
    
    -   Once the workflow is triggered, the signer receives the document with the attached invoice.
    -   After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.
        
        
![Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192963/original/-5DIX_m1N7lwK76TblG97tZr_a23Zw9K3Q.png)

**Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you after signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

Full procedure:

1. Once the workflow is triggered, the signer receives the document with the attached invoice.
2. After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.  <- this image

        
        
![Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192971/original/1VXEFDVxboVsHLyRxvqLUGI9qf5ZIczQNQ.png)

**Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you after signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

Full procedure:

1. Once the workflow is triggered, the signer receives the document with the attached invoice.
2. After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.  <- this image

        
        
![Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040192978/original/62cCnKuHvRplJjDhOVXsERda4Hl4lYskiQ.png)

**Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you after signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

Full procedure:

1. Once the workflow is triggered, the signer receives the document with the attached invoice.
2. After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.  <- this image

        
        
![Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155040193092/original/Dq1GC8aTbjw7fxaRsQaIYV35IbibaoibJQ.png)

**Step 2 of 2: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Workflow Configuration" section of "Documents & Contracts: How to automate sending invoices when documents are signed". At this point in the walkthrough you after signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below.
- What this covers: After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.
- Fields: Configure Workflow:, Send and Complete:, Track Payments:
- Controls: Workflows, Documents, Invoices

Full procedure:

1. Once the workflow is triggered, the signer receives the document with the attached invoice.
2. After signing, the primary signer is redirected to the invoice for immediate payment. An email with the invoice is also sent as a backup.  <- this image

        
4.  **Track Payments:**
    
    -   Monitor payments through the **Documents** section or the **Invoices** section.

**FAQs**

### **\- I had a payment schedule in my document, but the invoice was not generated**

This usually happens when one of the payment schedule dates goes **past** the invoice due date. This often occurs if the first payment was set using a **Custom date**. To avoid this, set the first payment to **“Upon primary signature”** so the schedule aligns correctly and the invoice can be generated.

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