Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and standard contracts are essential in new business relationships. They set expectations, protect sensitive data, and ensure everyone is operating on clear, legal terms.

Unfortunately, the way in which these documents are created can slow teams down.  Drafting, sending, and following up on each agreement is a time-consuming process.  Even using templates, these workflows require someone to take manual action to prep and send a document.

Fortunately, API-driven workflows provide a faster way to create and send critical paperwork.  With the right setup, documents can be generated automatically, pre-filled with the right details, and sent for signature without anyone stepping in. This removes bottlenecks, shortens turnaround times, and makes it easier to manage a high volume of agreements.

In this article, we’ll explore how public API links work, where they fit into business workflows, and how companies can use them to automate the NDA process.

Let’s jump in.

What are public API links for documents?

A public API link is a reusable document link created through the PandaDoc API. This turns document creation into a self-service workflow automation. Rather than generating and sending agreements one at a time, teams can set up a single link that works across many different scenarios.

When someone clicks the link (via website, portal, email, etc.), it acts like a trigger. PandaDoc automatically generates a fresh copy of the templated document, adds the correct details — company name, email, etc. — and sends it out for signature. Teams can also set automated reminders for follow-up and use built-in tracking tools to see when the document is opened or completed.

The result is a faster, more reliable way to manage NDAs and other agreements at scale.

Why automating agreements matters for business

While creating documents like NDAs or standard contracts is a routine part of the business process, how they’re handled has a huge impact on overall performance.  Automating these processes can save time, reduce errors, and make document creation easier to manage.

Here’s a closer look at why agreement automation matters:

Time savings.  Automating document generation eliminates repetitive tasks like creating, formatting, sending, and chasing down documents.  Teams spend less time on admin work and more time on activities that drive revenue, build partnerships, and support business growth.

Risk management.  Using templates and automated workflows ensures that every agreement follows the same approved structure.  This reduces the change of errors, outdated language, and unauthorized changes that can expose trade secrets or invalidate contracts.  At the enterprise level, this is critical due to the massive number of contracts sent by sales and law firms.

Scalability.  Automation and an API-first strategy makes it easier to onboard employees in high numbers, or send out contracts and addendums en masse.  This allows teams to comfortably handle much larger tasks without strain or increased headcount.

Visibility.  Built-in tracking shows who opened a document, when it was viewed, and whether or not it has been signed and completed.  Reps and managers can monitor and manage document processes at a glance and step in when necessary to push the process along.

Optimization.  Automated reminders, notifications, and integrations keep agreements moving forward without the need for constant oversight.  With appropriately configured rules and workflows, a document can move itself automatically from one stage to another to completion.

Improved security and compliance.  At Pandadoc, every document is encrypted, stored with a version history and a full audit trail, and sent via email or SMS with unique e-signing links.  This approach allows confidential information to remain secure and legal teams to quickly enforce consistency across an entire organization.

Ultimately, document automation creates a foundation for faster and more reliable business relationships.  Processes become more standardized, allowing brands to protect themselves from errors and mistakes (both from in-house agents and external reviewers) that could invalidate a contract or create unnecessary exposure.

Where API links fit into the document workflow

When using manual processes, it’s common for agreement workflows to become disconnected as documents pass between systems, teams, and departments.  Sales reps wait for approval from legal.  HR waits for employees.  Everyone waits for electronic signatures.

By using API links, NDAs and other agreements can be created and delivered automatically leveraging platforms that the team already uses.  Because the process is automatic and the documents follow a pre-established workflow, it’s possible to automate or eliminate handoffs, reduce wait times, and keep deals moving without constant oversight.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at how API-based automation fits into the document workflow.

CRM and sales tools

CRM systems like Salesforce are the backbone of many sales organizations, but they can quickly become bottlenecks when agreements are managed manually.  By connecting API links to your CRM, NDAs and contracts can be generated automatically with the right customer details already filled in with a single click.

In this scenario, reps don’t need to waste time rekeying names, emails, or company information, and every document follows the same approved template, so details and terms are always consistent.  Once the agreement is created, it can be delivered instantly for e-signing while progress is remotely tracked and managed.

Overall, this gives teams a faster and more reliable way to keep deals in motion.

HR and onboarding systems

HR teams rely on non-disclosure agreements to protect confidential information during the onboarding process.  However, sending these agreements manually can create unnecessary delays.  By implementing API links to HR or onboarding systems, NDAs can be generated automatically as soon as a new hire is entered into the system.

This means that HR doesn’t need to prepare or send hiring packages piecemeal or worry about missing a step in the onboarding process.  Instead, every hiring agreement or NDA can use the same, approved template while reminders and tracking keep the process in motion until the agreement is signed.

New employees can complete paperwork more quickly, ensuring that sensitive information and critical details are protected from day one.

Contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms

CLM platforms are designed to oversee every stage of the document process, from drafting to renewal.  When handled manually, even routine contracts like NDAs, MSAs, or vendor agreements can become elongated processes filled with delays and inconsistencies.

This approach creates slowdowns and stalls that ripple through the business.  That’s especially true if the contracts in question are critical to revenue or the ability for a brand to render an advertised service through a vendor partner. 

By embedding API links into a CLM system, teams can take steps to create consistent, automated workflows every time a document is created.  Generation happens through templates, and the produced documents are routed through a pre-assigned workflow automatically.  Details like names, dates, and company info are prefilled, eliminating errors and redundant entry.

Overall, it’s a way to streamline and expedite deal processes while keeping contracts on track.

How to build & implement public API links with PandaDoc

Setting up public API links might sound complex, but the process is straightforward once the foundation is in place.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a single, reusable workflow that generates agreements automatically, fills in the right details, and delivers those documents for e-signature with minimal manual effort.  By following clear steps, companies can standardize their agreements and allow teams to break away from repetitive document prep.

Here’s a closer look and how to do this with the PandaDoc API.

1. Create the document template
Before getting started with API workflows, you’ll need to build a standardized document template.  Ultimately, the template you use will need to align to your business needs and processes.  For example, if you’re trying to refine your NDA process to protect intellectual property, you’ll need an NDA template.  

Don’t have a template?  You can select such a template from the PandaDoc template library and customize it to suit your needs.

For added versatility, make sure that your template carries standardized legal language so that it applies across a variety of scenarios.  If you intend to personalize the document with data from your CRM or a connected HR database, use variables and placeholders.  When the API is connected to those systems, it’s possible to pull and apply that data automatically.

Once your template is complete, save it to your PandaDoc Content Library.  When working with the API, developers will attach the template’s unique ID to a workflow, ensuring that it’s implemented correctly.

2. Connect PandaDoc API to other systems
Once your template is ready, connect PandaDoc to the systems you already use to create an integrated workflow.  These connections allow the API to pull in the necessary data and to generate documents automatically when an action is taken in those systems.

If you’re trying to refine and automate NDA management, for instance, you might attach that workflow to your HR platform.  When a new hire is added to the system, the API process can be triggered in one of two ways:

System event triggers.  An action in another system, like moving a deal to the “NDA” stage in your CRM or adding a new employee record in HR, automatically calls the PandaDoc Document Generation API.  The trigger generates the agreement behind the scenes without anyone logging into PandaDoc.  If you’re working with Salesforce or another CRM, you can also use linked objects to keep agreements tied to the correct records.

Public API links.  Rather than relying on a system trigger, you can publish a single reusable link.  Each time someone clicks the link, PandaDoc creates a new document instance, pre-fills the correct details, and sends it for signature.  This is how you support true self-service flows, as candidates, vendors, or customers can initiate these processes by themselves if you’re using PandaDoc Forms.

Internally, developers can handle this setup using secure API authentication via API keys or OAuth 2.0.  Once connected, the workflow runs in the background with no need for manual data entry.

3. Documents are automatically generated
With the integrations and connectors in place, documents can be generated on demand.  When a trigger happens, like onboarding a new employee or sending a vendor agreement, PandaDoc API automatically creates a fresh document using your supplied template.

All the necessary details are pre-filled from your system of record, so every document is accurate, consistent, and ready for signature.  Taking this approach also removes repetitive copy/paste tasks, eliminating the potential for human errors while the system makes sure that the right version of the document is always used.

For developers: The Create Document endpoint shows how a new agreement is generated from a saved template.  You can also review a step-by-step tutorial for creating documents from templates, complete with examples.

4. Signing links are automatically sent
Once a document is generated, PandaDoc can immediately prepare it for e-signature.  If your template includes signing fields and the appropriate variables, the API will automatically assign recipients to specific e-signing fields.

From there, secure document links can be generated and sent to signers.  In PandaDoc, you’ll have the option to send links via email or SMS or to create dedicated, sharable links.  If you choose the latter, those links can be displayed inside an onboarding portal, embedded into a company website, or attached to other digital documentation so that recipients can click the link and sign the document.

Note:  Each link is unique and assigned to specific signers, so make sure that the appropriate link reaches the appropriate recipient.

Developers can use the Send Document endpoint to finalize and deliver these agreements automatically.  The returned response includes shared signing links, which can be placed in other documents or formats.  For a non-technical explanation, check out this article inside the PandaDoc Help Center.

5. Track progress and send automated reminders
Once the document is out for signature, PandaDoc provides full visibility into its progress.  Teams will be able to see when a document is opened, viewed, or signed, and those updates can be displayed directly in your CRM or HR platform.

If a signer hasn’t completed their part of the agreement, automated responses can be scheduled to nudge the process along and keep those documents top-of-mind.  These built-in tools help to prevent agreements from stalling and eliminate the need for manual follow-ups.

Within the PandaDoc API, this visibility is powered by webhooks, which “listen” to a document and send real-time updates whenever a change in status is detected.  You can also configure auto-reminders to fire with greater frequency or even send manual reminders, if needed.

6. File and store the document
Once the agreement is signed, PandaDoc automatically saves a finalized PDF with a complete audit trail within your secure PandaDoc workspace.  You can also configure the API to file a record within a system that you already use, like a CRM account or an HR employee file.

Because the storage process is automated, filing happens without human intervention and follows pre-arranged rulesets.  Every signed contract is archived with a version history and full compliance details, making it easy for legal teams to enforce standards and retrieve documents on an as-needed basis.

To set this up, developers can use the Document Download endpoint.  Signed contracts can also be pulled using document details or indexed through the List Documents endpoint to keep records in sync.  A full walkthrough is available in our guide about downloading completed documents.

Automate your NDA workflow with PandaDoc

Automating NDA documents and standard agreements takes the repetitive work out of document preparation and keeps sensitive information secure.

With PandaDoc, brands can enjoy faster turnaround times, fewer errors, and scalable processes that adapt to your business needs.  On top of that, PandaDoc offers a variety of tools, from AI-powered content creation to powerful integrations with popular CRM solutions like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Using the PandaDoc API, it’s possible to enjoy all the benefits of PandaDoc without pushing workers into a new user interface or a new system.  PandaDoc can connect to the tools you already use, run quietly in the background, and automate key processes so that workflows are faster, smoother, and smarter.

Want to give it a try?
Sign up for a free 14-day trial to take PandaDoc for a spin and access a free developer sandbox account.  Alternatively, you can request a demo and chat with a product specialist to see how PandaDoc can be tailored to your specific setup.