---
title: "Word-Plugin: Main document template or third party paper"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/FPB/27757117554/Word-Plugin%3A%20Main%20document%20template%20or%20third%20party%20paper"
format: markdown
---
The word plug-in is a powerful tool that connects your desktop version of Microsoft Word with the contracts database housed in HuskyBuy.  Using this, you can manage version control, add standard clauses, and even leverage AI tools.  This article covers the two different ways to draft: by using a main document template OR by using third party paper.

For information on using AI features in drafting, please see: [Word Plugin AI Features](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/27760001051/Contracts+AI+Features#%5CuD83D%5CuDCD8-Word-Plugin-AI-Features) 

## \uD83D\uDCD8 Using Main Document Templates

One of the standout features of Contracts+ is the ability to select main document templates that are managed by the Director of Contracting & Compliance.  These templates are attached to specific contract types and can be set as a default document for specific contract record templates.

1. In the attachments section of the Contract Record, click the main document template to download it to a location on your computer.

![image-20250522-123732.png](media://f29f2388-7416-41d8-85cd-1ce000e9e0a6)


2. Once downloaded, double click the file to open it like you would any word document.

## \uD83D\uDCD8 Contract Authoring

1. Provided you have configured your contract properly, and filled in all required fields, you will notice that the contract has pre-filled certain sections.  For example, the contract has filled in the Supplier’s name and address, contact, the term, etc.

![image-20250522-124026.png](media://fd9a16a3-8ac1-40a8-a5e0-efa1b7fbd0e5)

2. You can make edits like you would in any word document.  For example, in the above you can delete any pre-filled in lines that were not used for this specific agreement (i.e. the secondary street lines, editing the templated extension language etc.)

![image-20250522-124309.png](media://451c66f0-6acc-4414-9249-ac9f798924a9)

3. The authoring tool itself can be found on the upper right hand corner of the screen.  Click the “Show Taskpane” icon to open it and reveal various options

![image-20250522-124458.png](media://52cdaad8-7783-4561-9d83-6cc66d7b3aa4)

![image-20250522-124725.png](media://d4a4af40-ea23-430d-968d-e3b99c4c000c)

4. From here you can choose any of the system default fields or custom fields to insert into the document.  Examples of system default fields can include items such as contract number, renewal number, or amendment number

![image-20250522-124917.png](media://7806806b-6c81-4ea7-83e2-b9008ca7aac9)

Custom fields will typically be fields specific to that type of contract.  In this basic Purchasing Agreement example, the only custom field group available is “Legal Terms and Sourcing Data”.  

![image-20250522-125207.png](media://ea3ace60-8a23-4071-a7ca-a587f1f3fcf9)

## \uD83D\uDCD8  Working with clauses

1. Main document templates will include the up-to-date required University and State terms and conditions by default.

![image-20250522-142635.png](media://4b6c0357-54ca-411a-86c1-892a9dec4277)

2. Some of these clauses cannot be removed and have a special lock on them.  This allows the University to include non-negotiable state terms.  There is no option to delete the text.

![image-20250522-142935.png](media://1b35db3a-e933-49d9-9f40-9abe7a7498e5)

In this example, the text cannot be changed.  You will notice that the “Accept Deletion” and “Reject Deletion options are missing.  The entire clause can be redlined, but it cannot be removed.  This will assist with negotiation and version control.

3. Other clauses are negotiable and can be redlined and deleted:

![image-20250522-143104.png](media://cb88ad62-95ac-4a80-8d76-de988b9200f8)

4. You can also insert new clauses from the “Approved Clauses tab in the Authoring tool, or add back clauses that were deleted:


![image-20250522-143612.png](media://e728771b-82ec-4256-859e-fb6f07f69d51)


![image-20250522-143433.png](media://40d4142f-63ba-49ec-9ba8-c4335f88c894)

![image-20250522-143654.png](media://be9a686f-188b-4f66-99d2-598236e5b652)


## \uD83D\uDCD8  Checking the document in/saving progress

1. When you are done making edits to the document, you can save the progress by clicking the “Check In” button at the bottom of the Contract Authoring Tool

![image-20250522-125357.png](media://82140eb3-a30c-4a92-bfde-e0f7974ed525)

2. You will be prompted to optionally comment on any changes you have made to the document.  You can also choose to “keep this contract checked out to me” which prevents others from making edits to the contract record, even though you are saving the document.

![image-20250522-125609.png](media://4ed16b6c-8967-49b0-b923-51ef2802fbe2)

3. Once the document is checked-in, you will get a success notice at the bottom of the screen:

![image-20250522-125649.png](media://8c528248-0756-41be-81ef-d580c7c265f3)

## \uD83D\uDCD8  Verifying document changes

1. If you want to verify the document changes, navigate to the attachments section in the contract record.  You should notice that the version has changed.

![image-20250522-132023.png](media://abf290d0-8aad-43de-86f5-4b7327d9b5c8)

Click “Actions” and then select “Version History”

2. Version History will show you the difference between the prior version of the document and the newest version that has been checked-in.  Click select on each version you wish to compare and then click compare.  Your comments from the check-in will be present to help you understand the high-level changes between each version.

![image-20250522-140928.png](media://2725146c-b312-4e0e-b8a4-54276af79b6f)

3. A side-by-side comparison will show you the changes between versions.  The yellow highlight wills how sections that have been added or deleted from each version

![image-20250522-141047.png](media://c7d9cf0e-8ed0-47b4-95e8-bf1150ea8a68)

## \uD83D\uDCD8  Using Third Party Paper

Many suppliers will insist on using their contract paper as the starting point for drafting and negotiations.  This is extremely common in the hospitality and software industries.  In this scenario, you can follow the below steps to work through the drafting process:

1. Navigate to the Attachments section of the contract. Delete any files already in the “General” tab and click “Upload Main Document” to add the word document

![image-20250528-152911.png](media://e0d5f1ee-a486-4fa2-9211-a7e791199e75)

You will choose “Upload Main Document” from these options below.

![image-20250528-152942.png](media://5af9ea23-12b9-4507-b333-4a019cb6c493)

2. A wizard will appear.  You can choose to upload the file or add a link.  To upload a file, choose “select file” and find the file on your computer to upload

![image-20250528-153037.png](media://18b5df54-7179-4ef3-ad70-3dd05718ae2c)

Once selected, click “Save Changes” to close it.

![image-20250528-153109.png](media://226ddb9e-9d88-4011-b60c-b91495cad290)

3. To open the attachment, click “Actions” and then click “Download”

![image-20250528-153226.png](media://0665f8f5-b212-4696-b026-72be22ae7562)

4. The file will download on your computer.  You can open the document and begin editing.        Note - Unlike a “Main Document Template”, the third party paper will not have any pre-filled sections or placeholders.  Review the document using various tools such as the [“Ask AI” feature](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/27760001051/Contracts+AI+Features#%5CuD83D%5CuDCD8-Word-Plugin-AI-Features).
5. You can also add information to the contract such as:
  1. Placeholders as necessary (i.e. contract #, Supplier name, Start Date, End Date, etc): see #4 under [Contract Authoring](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/edit-v2/27757117554#%5CuD83D%5CuDCD8-Contract-Authoring)
  2. [Add clauses](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/edit-v2/27757117554#%5CuD83D%5CuDCD8--Working-with-clauses) individually or whole sets of terms and conditions (i.e. State of CT contracting terms, University business terms) to the document.

These steps are essential for making the contract on third party paper compliant with University and State requirements.  

7. Once you are done with your draft, you can [check it in](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/edit-v2/27757117554#%5CuD83D%5CuDCD8--Checking-the-document-in%2Fsaving-progress) to save your progress and upload the latest version to the Contract Record in HuskyBuy.

Files can be shared with other parties as covered in ________________

Once the negotiation process has been completed, you are ready to submit for workflow review.  See: [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/27753250870/Submitting+for+Workflow+Review?atlOrigin=eyJpIjoiODIxZGExNTBjMWQ4NDhhNGFkYzVmNmYyZjVjMTVkZjIiLCJwIjoiYyJ9](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FPB/pages/27753250870/Submitting+for+Workflow+Review?atlOrigin=eyJpIjoiODIxZGExNTBjMWQ4NDhhNGFkYzVmNmYyZjVjMTVkZjIiLCJwIjoiYyJ9) 

## \uD83D\uDCCB Related articles

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