ActiveMerge CF7 Document Generator

Generate PDF, Word Or PPTX documents automatically from Contact Form 7 submissions using customizable templates with smart tags.

Description

ActiveMerge CF7 Document Generator seamlessly integrates with Contact Form 7 to automatically generate professional documents from form submissions. Transform your contact form data into PDFs, Word documents, or PowerPoint presentations using pre-designed templates.

This plugin is perfect for businesses that need to:

• Generate contracts and agreements from form data
• Create invoices and quotes automatically
• Produce certificates and reports
• Generate personalized documents for clients
• Streamline document workflows

The plugin connects to the ActiveMerge API https://activemerge.com service to process templates and generate high-quality documents that can be automatically attached to notification emails or made available for download.

Key Benefits:

• Saves time by eliminating manual document creation
• Ensures consistency across all generated documents
• Reduces human error in data transfer
• Provides professional-looking output
• Integrates seamlessly with existing Contact Form 7 workflows

Features

• Seamless Integration: Works directly with Contact Form 7 forms
• Multiple Output Formats: Generate PDF, DOCX, and PPTX documents
• Template Management: Use pre-designed templates from ActiveMerge
• Field Mapping: Select which form fields to include in document generation
• Email Integration: Automatically include document links in notification emails
• Secure Storage: Documents are stored securely with protected access
• Error Handling: Skip email sending if document generation fails (optional)
• Debug Mode: Built-in logging for troubleshooting
• API Authentication: Secure API key-based authentication
• Automatic Cleanup: Old log files are automatically cleaned up
• Migration Support: Seamless migration from username/password to API key authentication

Requirements

• WordPress Version: 5.0 or higher
• PHP Version: 7.4 or higher
• Required Plugin: Contact Form 7 (must be installed and activated)
• ActiveMerge Account: Valid ActiveMerge API key for document generation
• Server Requirements:
  • cURL support for API communication
  • Write permissions for document storage directory
  • Minimum 128MB PHP memory limit recommended

ActiveMerge Service: This plugin requires an active subscription to ActiveMerge document generation service. You'll need:

• ActiveMerge account with API access
• Valid API key
• Document templates created in your ActiveMerge dashboard

Installation

1. Install the Plugin:

   • Upload the cf7-document-generator folder to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory
   • Or install directly through the WordPress admin via Plugins > Add New

2. Activate the Plugin:

   • Go to Plugins in your WordPress admin
   • Find "ActiveMerge CF7 Document Generator" and click "Activate"

3. Install Contact Form 7:

   • If not already installed, install and activate Contact Form 7 plugin
   • The document generator requires Contact Form 7 to function

4. Configure API Settings:

   • Navigate to Settings > CF7 Document Generator
   • Enter your ActiveMerge API key
   • Verify the API URL (default should work for most users)
   • Enable debug mode if you need troubleshooting information

5. Set up Document Generation:

   • Edit any Contact Form 7 form
   • In the form settings, enable document generation
   • Select your template ID from ActiveMerge
   • Choose output format (PDF, DOCX, or PPTX)
   • Map form fields to template variables
   • Configure email integration options

6. Test the Setup:

   • Submit a test form to verify document generation works
   • Check that documents are created and links are included in emails
   • Review debug logs if any issues occur

Post-Installation Notes:

• Documents are stored in /wp-content/uploads/cf7-documents/
• A .htaccess file is automatically created to protect document access
• Log files are stored in /wp-content/uploads/ with automatic cleanup after 30 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ActiveMerge account to use this plugin?

Yes, this plugin requires an active ActiveMerge account with API access. The plugin connects to ActiveMerge's document generation service to process templates and create documents.

What document formats are supported?

The plugin supports generating PDF, DOCX (Word), and PPTX (PowerPoint) documents.

Can I customize the document templates?

Document templates are managed through your ActiveMerge dashboard. You can create and customize templates there, then reference them by template ID in your WordPress forms.

What happens if document generation fails?

You can configure the plugin to skip sending notification emails if document generation fails. This prevents sending incomplete emails to users. Debug mode provides detailed logging to help troubleshoot issues.

Is the plugin secure?

Yes, the plugin implements several security measures:

• Documents are stored in a protected directory
• API authentication uses secure key-based access
• Input validation and sanitization throughout
• Automatic cleanup of temporary files

Changelog

1.0.1

• Improved API authentication with dedicated API key support
• Added migration notice for users upgrading from username/password authentication
• Enhanced error handling and logging
• Better document file validation
• Improved security measures

1.0.0

• Initial release
• Basic document generation from Contact Form 7 submissions
• Support for PDF, DOCX, and PPTX formats
• Integration with ActiveMerge API service
• Email notification integration
• Debug logging capabilities

Upgrade Notice

1.0.1

This version introduces API key authentication. If you're upgrading from a previous version, you'll need to update your API settings with your ActiveMerge API key instead of username/password.

Support

For support with this plugin:

• Check the debug logs in /wp-content/uploads/ for error details
• Visit the ActiveMerge documentation for template setup guidance
• Contact ActiveMerge support for API-related issues
• Use the WordPress support forums for general plugin questions

Privacy Policy

This plugin sends form submission data to the ActiveMerge service for document generation. Please review ActiveMerge's privacy policy and ensure compliance with your local data protection regulations when collecting user data through forms.