Category / Section
Understanding Draft Status: Options and Best Practices
Published:
In BoldSign, Draft status allows a document to be created, saved, and edited without sending it for signing. A document remains in Draft status until the Send action is explicitly triggered through the Web App or API.
Drafts are stored in the Documents → Drafts section and are visible only to the document owner and authorized team members.
BoldSign – Ways to Keep a Document in Draft Status
| Method | Platform | How It Works | Official Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Save During Creation | Web | When you upload a document, add recipients, or configure fields but do not click Send, BoldSign automatically saves your progress as a draft. Prevents accidental loss if you close the browser or navigate away. | Save In-Progress Document |
| Navigation Away (e.g., Business Profile) | Web | If you leave the document creation flow (navigate to another section), BoldSign automatically saves the document as a draft. Ensures partial work is not lost when switching tasks. | Manage Documents in Drafts |
| Edit Later | Web | Drafts can be reopened at any time to adjust recipients, signature fields, or workflow settings. Document remains in draft until explicitly sent. | Manage Documents in Drafts |
| Delete Draft | Web | Drafts can be discarded permanently from the Drafts folder if no longer required. | Manage Documents in Drafts |
| Create as Draft (API) | API | POST /v1/document/createEmbeddedRequestUrl creates a document in draft mode and returns an embeddedRequestUrl. |
Embed Document Creation |
| Send from Draft Later | API | Use /v1/document/draftSend to send an existing draft document. |
Send Document from Draft |
| Edit Draft Document (API) | API | Use editDocument API with draft ID to update signer details, fields, or metadata while keeping the document in draft. |
Edit Document |
| Delegate Drafts (API) | API | Use the onBehalfOf parameter when sending a draft. This lets administrators or delegated users send draft documents on behalf of team members. The draft stays in the owner’s account but can be managed by the delegate until it is sent |
Embed Document Creation |
| Sandbox Drafts (API) | API | Set isSandbox: true when creating a draft. Drafts remain in test mode until promoted to production. |
Embed Document Creation |
| Toolbar Hidden (API) | API | Set showToolbar: false in embedded request configuration to hide the toolbar and restrict immediate sending. Document remains draft until explicitly triggered. |
Embed Document Creation |
| Document ID Consistency (API) | API | Drafts retain the same unique Document ID after being sent, ensuring continuity in tracking and auditing. | Embed Document Creation |
| Embedded Request – Save & Close | Web/API | In embedded mode, click Save and Close on Prepare page; document remains draft. | Save Embedded Request Document as Draft |
Notes
- Web App: Drafts are saved automatically or manually, and managed via the Drafts folder. All incomplete documents are stored under Documents → Drafts.
- API:
The embeddedRequestUrlopens BoldSign’s UI inside your application. Users can add recipients, drag and drop fields, and configure workflow settings. The document remains in draft until the Send button is clicked.
Summary
Draft status in BoldSign provides a safe way to prepare and manage documents without sending them for signing. Drafts can be saved, edited, and sent later through both the Web App and API, ensuring flexibility and control throughout the document workflow.
