Creating a New Proposal Quick Reference

You might find it helpful to use this quick reference list of steps as a guide for creating a new proposal.

Step Procedure Related Information
Create the Proposal
1 Create a new proposal. Open the Proposals application and click +New Proposal. Create a Proposal
2 On the New Proposal dialog:
  • Select a template if you are using one.
  • Enter the general proposal properties: Name (required), Number, Associated Project, and Due Date.
New Proposal Dialog Box

Define the Proposal Properties

3 Click Continue to save the proposal. The Proposal Builder opens with the template you selected or, if no template was selected, with two pages: a cover page that includes the proposal name and a blank second page. Proposal Builder Basics
4 Format the cover page. Navigate through Sections and Pages
5 Insert additional pages. Navigate through Sections and Pages
Add Elements to the Proposal
6 Use the Proposal Builder to insert additional elements such as text and images. Work with Proposal Elements
7 Add section breaks.

Insert Section Breaks

Define Section Properties

8 Add and format pages. Add Pages to a Proposal

Define Page Properties

Add Hub Records to the Proposal
9 Add hub records to the proposal.
Drag the Record Vantagepoint element onto the proposal to display the Add Record dialog box:
  • Select the hub from which you want to add the records.
  • Choose a record from the selected hub by typing part of the name and then selecting the record from the list.
  • Optional: add common fields to the record. (You can add more fields later.)
  • Specify the number of images that you want to add to each record in the proposal. (You can add more images later.)
  • Click Add to add the records to the proposal.

    You are in record layout mode where any changes that you make affect all records. After you finalize the records, you will have the opportunity to edit individual records.

Insert Hub Records
10 Select the specific fields that you want to include for the record.Vantagepoint inserts placeholders for each field in the proposal. These fields are populated with data when you merge and finalize the proposal. Insert Fields into a Proposal

Insert Fields Dialog Box

Edit Text Dialog Box

11 Some fields have options for formatting or filtering the data. For example, the Education grid in an employee record allows you to include only rows that have the Include in Proposals check box selected.

If you select a column that is a number, currency, or date, you can specify the format for that column. Click the link to open the Format Number, Format Date/Time, and Format Currency dialog boxes.

Format Currency Dialog Box

Format Date/Time Dialog Box

Format Number Dialog Box

12 Use the Manage Records dialog box to add or remove records on the proposal. Add or Remove Records on a Proposal
Save Records as Draft or Finalize Records
13 Save the record layout as a draft for editing later. This allows you to continue editing the record layout and make quick updates at one time instead of having to make changes to each individual record. Keep the proposal in draft mode until you need to edit each record individually or until you are ready to merge and publish.

After records are finalized, they are no longer updated with changes from the hub. If a proposal will be used as a template, keep the records as drafts.

Save Record Layout as Draft
14 Merge and finalize the layout of the records. This separates the records from being a group and disconnects the proposal information from the hub so that it is no longer updated with changes from the hub record. It allows you to edit each record individually for this proposal without affecting the record in the hub. Merge and Finalize Records
Create a Proposal Template
15 You can save this proposal as a template and then reuse it to create new proposals with the same structure and branding. To create a template from this proposal, click Other Actions > Save Proposal as Template. Keep records as drafts if you want up-to-date information in new proposals when this template is used. See Edit Record Layout Options for more information. Save a Proposal as a Template
16 Export the proposal to PDF and send it to clients. Export to PDF