---
title: How to Create Document Overlays for Flow Requests
description: Document overlays allow recipients to interact directly with the documents you send through a Flow request. They can sign, enter text, or check boxes right on the document, making it easy to collect approvals and information consistently.
---

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# How to Create Document Overlays for Flow Requests

## Document overlays let Flow recipients sign, fill text, or check boxes directly on your PDFs. This creates interactive forms for consistent approvals and data collection.

### When to Use Overlays

Use overlays when recipients need to:

- Electronically sign documents
- Fill in specific text fields
- Check acknowledgment boxes

#### Creating a Document Overlay

1. Go to **Configure \> Flow Components \> Document Overlay**.**![Document-Overlays-Nav](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Document-Overlays-Nav.png?width=670&height=448&name=Document-Overlays-Nav.png)**
2. Click **+ New Document Overlay**.![Document-Overlays-New](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Document-Overlays-New.png?width=670&height=383&name=Document-Overlays-New.png)
3. Upload Your Document 
     1. Upload a PDF (under 7MB) with no security restrictions.
     2. Choose a clear, descriptive name for your overlay.  
        ![New-Document-Overlay-Name](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New-Document-Overlay-Name.png?width=670&height=532&name=New-Document-Overlay-Name.png)
4. Add Interactive **Overlay Elements**  
   Available elements: checkbox, date signed, drop-down, initials, link, signature, text. 
     1. Select an element from the list.
     2. Click your document to place it.
     3. Drag or resize to position correctly.
5. **Settings** for Overlay Element  
   Click any element (grey outline appears) to edit settings in the right panel: 
     1. **Assign to Role:** Use for multi-recipient flows.\* Assign additional recipients to roles like "Recipient 2" or "Countersigner."  
        *Example:* Date Signed automatically stamps when that role's recipient completes their part.
     2. **Required Field:** Make elements mandatory to complete the Flow.
     3. **Description:** Add instructions (e.g., "Sign here to approve this contract").
     4. **Title:** Drop-down display label.
     5. **Dropdown Options:** List selectable choices.
     6. **Font Size:** Adjust text size.
     7. **Prepopulate Value:** Auto-fill known data (e.g., recipient's first and last name).
     8. **URL:** Link destination for clickable links.
6. **Save Overlay  
   ![Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Save](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Save.png?width=670&height=393&name=Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Save.png)**

---

#### Important Tips 

- **Roles:** Group elements by role for complex, multi-recipient workflows.  
  ![Overlay-Roles](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Overlay-Roles.gif?width=668&height=386&name=Overlay-Roles.gif)
- **Pages:** Use navigation buttons to add elements across multiple PDF pages.  
  ![Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Pages-crop-1](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Pages-crop-1.png?width=644&height=86&name=Edit-flow-template-Overlay-Pages-crop-1.png)

---

After an overlay is saved, it will be available for Flow templates.   
![Example-overlay-Dashboard](https://support.pdcflow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Example-overlay-Dashboard.png?width=670&height=357&name=Example-overlay-Dashboard.png)

 

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