Capture Contract Express answers in an Output iSheet
An
Output iSheet
is automatically created for each Contract Express template associated with a site. This captures answers used for all generated documents. You can then use these answers to visualise this data or create reports with the tools provided in HighQ.note
A record is added to the linked Output iSheet every time a questionnaire is submitted from Contract Express; this is the only way to add a record.
By default, only site admins have permission to view Output iSheets; however, an admin can grant permission for other users to view an Output iSheet.
Contract Express variable mapping for the Output iSheet
The format of each answer in Contract Express reflects the expected data type. Answers can be multiple choice, a number, Yes/No, text, computed values, or others.
The Output iSheet matches each answer type ('variable') to the equivalent
column type
in iSheets where possible.note
If the column type is unclear then the column is defined as single-line text. Please check your questionnaire and use another question type if required.
The iSheet automatically includes a 'file link' column; click on an entry to view the linked record in the generated document.
There may be some restrictions, such as character limits. Please plan your Contract Express questionnaire carefully if it will link to an Output iSheet.
Some advice is provided below:
Single-line text questions
Single-line text questions from Contract Express are mapped to a single-line text column in iSheets. There is a 255-character limit for a single-line text column - if this character limit is exceeded, then the document generation fails.
note
Please see Text Selection Variables in the Contract Express video gallery.
If you allow longer responses in the questionnaire, please use a multi-line text variable in Contract Express so that the column type is assigned correctly (multi-line text, which does not have a character limit).
note
If the character limit for a single-line text column is reduced, existing data is not truncated; however, all new entries are limited. Document generation fails if new submissions from Contract Express exceed the new limit.
Constraining answers with a Choice column
If a Contract Express template uses choice questions, use a static list of choices in the automation of the choice question.
note
Answers provided in an 'Other' column are captured in the Output iSheet, and answers from a dynamic text list will also be captured from July 2025.
If you map a Contract Express
Yes / No
question with an iSheet choice column, then use True / False
choices to answer the Yes / No
question.note
If a Contract Express template uses
Yes / No
questions, these will be shown in the Output iSheet as True / False
values.Computable variable output from Contract Express
As of May 2023, computables (variable output) from Contract Express are mapped to:
- a date column if the output is a date,
- a number column if the output is a number,
- a multi-line text column for any other computable variable.
note
Please see Computable variables in the Contract Express video gallery.
Repeat variables
When using Contract Express repeat variables, answers in the Output iSheet are stored as XML files.
This does not impact the generated document, where the information will appear in the correct format.
note
If it is essential to view the repeats or use them for workflow rules, consider creating computation variables with the
Saved in session
option selected. Alternatively, if the number of repetitions is low, you can create one column for each repeat, e.g. First founder
and Second founder
, etc.Repeatable data modal view
As of May 2024, the
Repeatable Data Modal View,
is the initial phase of enhancing how repeated data is presented in HighQ.note
This improves the visibility of repeated data, which can be challenging to interpret in the current XML format output from iSheets, especially when dealing with related repeats.
From the Output iSheet, select
More actions
, then See repeat data
.
This opens a dedicated view that allows you to drill down and explore the repeated data in a more readable format.
note
'See repeat data' only appears on an output iSheet for a template that contains repeatable variables.
There may be a short delay while data is generated as the Repeat data window calls multiple APIs from Contract Express to generate the content, and relies on the template being active in Contract Express.
Select the arrow to open each nested list, or
Expand all
to open all nested lists.
note
This first phase has some functional limitations, as it does not yet support integration with workflow management tools, external data sources, or data visualisation applications. Future iterations will address these features to provide a more comprehensive solution.
Continuing enhancements with your feedback
While our primary focus with this release was to enhance the visibility and presentation of repeated data, we understand that your needs extend far beyond additional viewing capabilities. We seek your valuable feedback to help us expand and improve this feature, ensuring it better addresses diverse requirements and use cases.
A survey is available on the Product Community. Please share your thoughts and suggestions on how to develop repeats within HighQ beyond viewing the data.
Visualise data from the Output iSheet
You can use the Output iSheet iSheet to create
KPI data visualisations
on the Home screen
and allow users to track answers and choices across all documents.For example, the
Output iSheet for Non-Disclosure Agreements
can be used as a source for data visualisation.
In this example, the iSheet provides data for comparison and tracking in a
KPI panel
on the Home page.
Output iSheets and permissions
A data visualisation built from an Output iSheet can be viewed by all users with permission to view the dashboard. By default, they may click the visualisation to drill down into the iSheet data. To remove this access, view the iSheet and de-select the
Allow drill-down
option under Customise
, Advanced customisation
.