page . 1Last update 03/14/2017
Editing Documents
Ofine
AIA Contract Documents Online (ACD5) offers two options for editing
documents depending on your needs:
• Ofine - using Microsoft® Ofce Word
• Online - using ACD5 online editor
This quick guide provides steps on how to edit your documents ofine.
Ofine editing is recommended when large or complex edits are expected.
Additional details regarding the benets of editing documents ofine vs
online are included below.
Ofine Editing
Use ofine editing if:
• You would like to edit your agreements using Microsoft® Ofce Word,
• You want the ability to work ofine without an Internet connection,
• You will be making substantial and/or more complex edits such as
adding or editing tables, inserting numbering and bullets, etc.
• You would like to leverage the full functionality of Word
Limitations:
• Cannot utilize the online Share For Review function
• Cannot create custom templates to re-use
• Cannot insert Contacts
• Cannot insert clauses from the library
page . 2Last update 03/14/2017
Online Editing
Use online editing if:
• You would like to make quick and small/simple changes such as
making a correction,
• Inserting a picture,
• Inserting Contacts from your distribution list
• You don’t have Microsoft® Ofce Word desktop software on your
computer or mobile device, e.g. editing using your tablet.
Steps for Online Editing.
Limitations:
• Online Editor is a lite web browser-based editor, which does not provide
all the available features which Word offers and you are custom to
• Print Preview is only in PDF format
• Creating tables and adding rows and columns are not as robust and
not as user - friendly as Word
• For security reasons, editing sessions time out after 20 minutes if no
activity is detected in the browser
• Copy and paste with complex tags from another Word document
can result in errors due to Word format and the online editor’s XML
compatibility and conversion
• The online experience can be cumbersome if you are performing
complex edits and have a slow internet connection
page . 3Last update 03/14/2017
Steps for Ofine Editing
Step 1 – Download
a. Creating a document from the Template Library
At the top of the menu, click on Template Library and then click on More Action next to
the document you would like to work on. Select Edit Ofine as shown below and this will
download your document to your computer.
page . 4Last update 03/14/2017
b. Creating Document from Projects
From the Projects tab, click on the project you want to create the document from the left pane.
Under <project name> – Documents, click Create Document. From the Select Template pop-
up window, a list of templates will be available for you to select. Next to the template which you
want to create draft, click Edit Ofine.
Step 2 – Edit
Open the downloaded document in Microsoft® Ofce Word to make your edits and save your
document locally.
Note: The project details will be copied to your document, if you create the document from
the Project tab. The project details will not be copied to your document, if you create the
document from the Template Library.
page . 5Last update 03/14/2017
Step 3 - Upload
Log back in the ACD5 and click on Projects at the top of the menu. If you do not have an
existing project, click on Create New Project to create a project rst. Then upload your
agreement document by clicking on Import File, click Choose File and nd the location of
your document. You may then click OK to start uploading as shown below.
page . 6Last update 03/14/2017
Step 4 – Variance Check
From More Actions next to the document you uploaded, click Check Variances from the
expanded pane and this will generate your Variance Check document in a PDF le. This allows
you to check changes prior to nalize your document.
page . 7Last update 03/14/2017
Step 5 – Finalize
Click Finalize next to the document you uploaded and this will generate your completed
document in a PDF le.
Additional Resources
ACD5 Training Tools – We provide ACD5 training tools such as webinars, video tutorials, and
beginners guide to ACD5.
Knowledge Base – Our Knowledge Base is searchable and includes information to Getting
Started and frequently asked questions on Document and Software.
Customer Support Site – Need help? Find out all the ways you can get AIA Contract
Documents support.
Ofine Editing – Steps for Ofine Editing. Watch video >
Online Editing – Steps for Online Editing. Watch video >