Make document editing a native feature of your product

Your product manages the workflow, but document creation happens somewhere else. Users copy-paste between systems. Files get lost. Version control breaks down. Your platform feels incomplete. When you embed document editing, it becomes your feature. Your users create and customize documents directly in your platform without being sent to a third party site. To them, document editing is just another capability of your product, like any other feature you've built.

What this means for your product:

• Document editing becomes part of your value proposition ("Build and send contracts directly in our platform")

• Your users don't need separate PandaDoc accounts

• You control the workflow, permissions, and user experience

• Your product becomes the system of record for document creation

This isn't just an integration—it's extending your product's capabilities to include professional document creation and management.

Is embedded document editing right for your use case?

This approach works best when document creation is a core part of your user workflow and keeping users in your product matters for engagement and retention.

You’re a strong fit if:

• Your users regularly create or customize documents as part of their workflow (contracts, proposals, agreements, intake forms

• Document creation currently requires switching to external tools (Google Docs, Word, other editors)

• You want document editing to feel like a native feature, not a third-party add-on

• You have development resources available (typically 1-2 weeks of engineering time)

Consider alternatives if:

• Your users only view or sign documents, not create them (consider embedded signing instead)

• Documents are fully automated and never need customization (consider automated generation from templates)

• You need offline document editing capabilities (embedded editing requires internet connection)

Common questions before you build

Can users collaborate on the same document? Users can edit documents sequentially (one person at a time). Generate a new editing session for each user who needs access. For real-time collaboration, users would need to coordinate outside the editor.

What happens if users close their browser mid-edit? Document content saves automatically as users work. When they return, generate a new editing session for the same document—all their edits will be preserved.

Does this work on mobile? The editor works in mobile web browsers but is optimized for desktop use. For mobile-heavy workflows, consider whether your users will realistically edit complex documents on phones or tablets.

What can users actually do in the editor? Users get a document editor with formatting capabilities that you configure. Available features include rich text formatting, content blocks (tables, images, text blocks), document structure tools, and the ability to add or remove sections. You control which features are available based on your workflow needs.

How embedded document editing works: Step-by-step

1. Create the document users will edit

Before users can start editing, you need to create a draft document in PandaDoc. You have two options:

Start from a template (recommended for consistency): Create a document from your pre-built template, optionally pre-filling placeholders with user data. This ensures consistency while allowing customization.

Upload a PDF for field placement (sometimes called Embedded Sending): Upload a PDF document and let users place signature fields, form fields, and other interactive elements. This is ideal when you have existing documents that need to be made signable.

Example: A property management platform creates a lease agreement from a template with the tenant's name, property address, and rent amount already populated. The property manager then customizes lease terms, adds property-specific clauses, and adjusts move-in dates in the editor.

2. Generate a secure editing session

Once the document is generated, create a time-limited editing session for a specific user. That way, only authorized users can edit specific documents

Here’s how with PandaDoc API: Request an editing session for a specific user email. The API returns a unique session token you'll use to load the document editor. Sessions are valid for a configurable time period (default 1 hour, up to 24 hours).

Example: A legal tech platform generates an editing session when an attorney clicks "Edit Contract." The session expires in 2 hours, ensuring the editing link can't be shared or reused by unauthorized users.

3. Embed the document editor in your product

Use the session ID to load the document and display it in your application. Users see a document editor configured with the features you’ve enabled, all within your product's interface.

What users can do in the editor

• Add and format text (bold, italic, lists, headers)

• Insert tables and images

• Customize contract terms and legal language

• Add or remove sections

• Collaborate with others (if multiple editing sessions are created)

• Add fillable fields like Signature, Date, Initials, Text, etc.

Example: A vertical SaaS platform for consultants embeds the editor in a modal that appears when users click "Create Proposal." The modal matches their design system, and users build proposals without realizing they're using a third-party editor.

4. Let users save their work and return later

Users may need multiple sessions to complete a document. Document content saves automatically as users work, so they can close the browser and return later without losing progress—just generate a new editing session for the same document.

Here’s how with PandaDoc API: Each time a user needs to edit the document, generate a fresh editing session. The document content is automatically saved as users work, so they can close and return without losing progress.

5. Trigger workflows when editing is complete

Once users finish editing, automated workflows ensure documents move to signatures, approvals, or storage without manual handoffs.

Common workflows:

• User finishes editing → Mark document as "Ready for Review" → Notify manager

• Document approved → Send for signatures automatically

• Final document signed → Store in user's file system → Update project status

Here’s how with PandaDoc API: Decide what happens next based on your workflow.

• Status tracking: Use webhooks to know when users finish editing (document status updates)

• Send for signing: Once editing is complete, send the document for e-signatures or embed signing in your product

• Download or store: Retrieve the completed document as a PDF and store it in your system Workflow triggers: Automatically notify reviewers, update records, or move to the next workflow stage

Example: A client onboarding platform lets users customize intake forms. When they click "Send to Client," the form is automatically sent for signature, and the sales rep receives a notification that the form is ready.

Streamline the entire workflow: You can also automate document generation from your CRM so documents are created with the right data before users customize them.

Implementation timeline and requirements

Typical scope: 1-2 weeks for a production-ready embedded editing integration Team requirements:

• One backend engineer (API integration and session management)

• One frontend engineer (iframe implementation and UI integration)

• Product manager involvement for workflow design and user permissions

Ongoing maintenance: Minimal once implemented. Most teams only revisit the integration when adding new document types or templates.

Results: Higher feature adoption, better retention

Teams that embed document editing see immediate improvements in product stickiness and user engagement:

• Higher feature adoption - Users create documents inside your product instead of abandoning the workflow

• Better user retention - Products feel more complete when document creation is built-in

• Faster document creation - Users skip the context switch and finish documents in one sitting

When document creation happens inside your product, users stay engaged and your platform becomes indispensable.

Resources / Examples

• Embedded Editing Guide

• Create Editing Session API Reference

• Webhook Setup Guide

Next Steps

• Primary: Ready to try it yourself? →

  - See embedded signing hands-on with test data

• Secondary: Want to see it in action with your workflow? → Request a Demo - We'll show you embedded signing for your specific use case https://www.pandadoc.com/api-custom-request/?ss=page_api_header-nav_api