---
title: Export & re-upload document
description: Easily export, edit, and re-upload Josef documents in Word without losing automations. Streamline your document updates with this beta feature!
---

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# Export & re-upload document

Export automated Josef documents, edit them in Microsoft Word and then quickly re-upload them without losing any pre-existing [rules](https://help.joseflegal.com/creating-a-document-in-the-word-editor?hsLang=en), [variables](https://help.joseflegal.com/creating-a-document-in-the-word-editor?hsLang=en) or [looping](https://help.joseflegal.com/looping-logic?hsLang=en) logic.

- [**Why export?**](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#why-export)
- [**How to export and re-upload**](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#how-to-export-and-reupload) 
    - [Preparation](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#preparation)
    - [Locate & export](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#locate-export)
    - [Edit document](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#edit-document)
    - [Detach message](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#detach-message)
    - [Create new message with same content](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#create-message-with-same-content)
    - [Re-upload edited document](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#re-upload-edited-document)
    - [Review & test document, bot and notifications](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#review-test-your-document-bot)
- [**Limitations**](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#beta-limitations)
- [**Feedback**](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#feedback)

### **Why export?**

You’ve finished your bot but, when testing, you realise there is something wrong in your document: the header is wrong, an image needs resizing, or a cross-reference needs a quick update. Or, the template has changed a few months after launch, and you need to update the underlying document.

Using the Export feature, builders can easily download an editable version of their document that can be re-uploaded without losing any automations. 

### **How to export and re-upload**

#### **Preparation**

Before you get started, we recommend [duplicating your bot](https://help.joseflegal.com/duplicate-a-bot?hsLang=en) since you'll be making a few minor bot logic changes in your **original bot**.

That way, when updating the original bot's logic, if you forget which message connects to which, you can use the duplicate bot as a reference.

Once you're ready, follow the steps below. 

#### **Locate & export**

1. Open the **original bot** in the [Josef Dashboard](https://dashboard.joseflegal.com/#/auth/login).
2. In List view or Flowchart, select the relevant document message and click **Edit document** in the Edit message sidebar to open the Word editor.
3. In the top right of the Word editor, click **Settings**.
4. In the **Document Settings** tab under **Export document**, click to download the Microsoft Word version of your document.

![7211961092111](https://help.joseflegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/7211961092111.png?width=342&height=630&name=7211961092111.png)

\[**Image**: Document settings sidebar in the document editor with **Export document** located at the bottom.\]

### **Edit document**

Once downloaded, open and edit your document in Microsoft Word. 

You can edit **all non-automated** content, including

- Text
- Images
- Tables
- Cross-references
- Hyperlinks

… and much more!

 

Builders can also **duplicate variables** in Word by:

1. Selecting and highlighting a variable; 
     - **Hint:** Identifiable by pink highlights and two curly brackets featured on either side of the variable name (e.g. ).
2. Clicking Copy; then
3. Pasting the variable in the new desired location. Once re-uploaded, the duplicated variable(s) will then display and function like any normal variable.

 

You'll also notice that **Josef automations** display:

1. 1. Block and text rules as comments; and
     2. Looping logic as comments.

These automations, alongside variables, **CANNOT** be edited within Microsoft Word. Duplicating variables is the only exception. 

![5834876276111](https://help.joseflegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/5834876276111.png?width=342&height=480&name=5834876276111.png)

\[**Image**: Josef rules displaying as comments in Microsoft Word.\]

 

Once you've finished editing all non-automated content, **save your document**.

#### **Detach message**

1. Return to Flowchart and delete the **connection(s)** that flow **to** the document message.   
     - ***Do not delete the document message or document itself.*** 
           - **Important: If you do, any previous documents generated from your live bot will no longer be accessible in the Activity tab and cannot be recovered. (NB: If you do decide to delete the message and/or document via List view or Flowchart, ensure you have downloaded any past user-generated documents from the relevant interactions in the [Activity tab](https://help.joseflegal.com/reporting-and-records?hsLang=en) beforehand.)**
2. Once detached, the message will then jump to the top right of the Flowchart window. Leave it there for safekeeping.

#### **Create message with same content**

1. Here, you want to make a new document message so you can re-upload your document.
2. In the original bot, **create a new message** where the old one was in the message flow. (If you need a refresher on how to do this, see this [article](https://help.joseflegal.com/create-messages?hsLang=en).)
3. Recreate the original document message. 
     - **Hint:** refer to the duplicate bot you made during the [Preparation](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#preparation) stage for guidance on the bot's flow.

**<iframe height="380" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/5fda5b423a4b44948492b871c0327344" style="margin: 10px auto; display: block; clear: both;" width="675" allowfullscreen></iframe>**

\[**Video**: builder detaching original document message and creating a new message.\]

#### **Re-upload edited document**

1. Once the new message has been created, click **Add document** in the Edit message sidebar.
2. Upload the edited document.
3. Once uploaded, click **Edit document**. Your edits will have been applied and all pre-existing automations will remain intact!
4. Return to List view or Flowchart to reconnect any subsequent messages.

**![5834870656399](https://help.joseflegal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/5834870656399.gif?width=522&height=382&name=5834870656399.gif)**

**\[GIF: Builder re-uploads edited document via Add document.\]**

#### **Review & test your document, bot and notifications**

1. Once complete, make sure the document still generates as expected by testing the bot. 
     - You can test via [Preview](https://help.joseflegal.com/testing-a-bot?hsLang=en), temporarily [launching](https://help.joseflegal.com/launching-and-updating-your-live-bot?hsLang=en) your bot, or [exporting](https://help.joseflegal.com/creating-a-document-in-the-web-editor?hsLang=en) the document.
2. Insert the new document message into any pre-existing [**notifications**](https://help.joseflegal.com/send-notification-emails?hsLang=en) wherever necessary.
3. Once reviewed, click Update bot in the Launch tab when ready.

**Note:** If you change your bot logic between exporting and re-uploading your document, any deleted rules, messages, etc. **will not** appear in your re-uploaded document in the Josef Word editor. 

In such cases, we highly recommend reviewing your document's variables, rules or looping logic to ensure the document still functions as intended.

### **Limitations**

#### **Automated content**

- **Do not edit any automated content in Microsoft Word** other than when duplicating variables (see [here](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#edit-document)).  
    - Why? Editing automated content may mean variables, rules, etc. are lost when the document is re-uploaded. In which case, you'll need to re-add these automation post re-upload.

#### **DocuSign**

- Currently, **DocuSign tags** are not retained in re-uploaded documents and will need to be re-added. 
    - Therefore, we recommend adding DocuSign tags after you have re-uploaded your document and completed all other edits. [Learn how](https://help.joseflegal.com/docusign?hsLang=en).

#### **Re-uploading documents**

- Before re-uploading edited documents, **do not delete any previous documents or document messages from your bot**.  
    - Learn why and follow our guidance [here](https://help.joseflegal.com/export-re-upload-documents-beta#detach-message).
- Documents can only be re-uploaded to the bot from which they were first exported. **They cannot be re-uploaded to bot copies**.  
    - Why? The automations contained within documents are specific to the original bot will not function in bot copies.

### **Feedback**

We’re working to build the best document automation platform possible, so if you have any observations or questions, please let us know! Contact us at [support@joseflegal.com](mailto:support@joseflegal.com).  

Happy building!

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