Update Your HTML Inventory Templates for PDF Generator Upgrade

Update Your HTML Inventory Templates for PDF Generator Upgrade

Who is this for?

This upgrade applies only to the organizations that support the old PDF generator. Zoho CRM will notify these users with an in-app banner inside the Inventory Templates page and while generating PDFs. 

Hence, only the users from these organizations will have to update their HTML inventory templates.

What needs to be done?

All you need to do is review and edit the header, footer, and page number tags in the HTML of the inventory templates to the supported format. After saving the template, generate a PDF of it to check the alignment by switching to the new PDF generator. 

To avoid breakages or misalignment in the generated PDF and ensure compatibility with the optimized PDF generator, kindly complete this update by March 25, 2026. 
Notes
Note: As a fallback option, the old PDF generator will be available for a month and then be discontinued.  
The example provided illustrates the use of header tags. You can apply the same approach to other tags using the detailed guidance that follows.


How to update

To update your HTML tags for all your inventory templates that were created using HTML, follow the alignment steps below.
  1. Navigate to Setup → Customization → Templates → Inventory.
  2. Click the edit icon of the template created with HTML.
  3. Click on the Edit HTML icon.
  4. Look near the top of your HTML for the outermost <table> tag. In the old templates, it typically looks like this:
    Quote
    <table>
    <thead> 
         <!-- your header content: logo, company name, etc. --> 
       </thead> 
       <tbody> 
         <!-- your main content: line items, totals, etc. --> 
       </tbody> 
       <tfoot> 
         <!-- your footer content: page numbers, terms, etc. --> 
       </tfoot> 
    </table>

  5. Replace that entire outer table with three separate HTML section blocks. Copy your header, body, and footer content into the corresponding block:
    Quote
    <!-- HEADER BLOCK --> 
     <section id="header-container" class=""> 
       <div id="pdfgen-header"> 
         <!-- Paste your former <thead> content here --> 
       </div> 
     </section> 
       
     <!-- BODY / CONTENT BLOCK --> 
     <section id="page-container" class=""> 
       <div id="pdfgen-content"> 
         <!-- Paste your former <tbody> content here --> 
       </div> 
     </section> 

       <!-- FOOTER BLOCK --> 
     <section id="footer-container" class=""> 
       <div id="pdfgen-footer"> 
         <!-- Paste your former <tfoot> content here --> 
       </div> 
     </section> 

  6. The old engine used a CSS counter technique to generate page numbers. The enhanced engine injects page numbers automatically, so this CSS is no longer needed and should be removed. Only remove the .pagenum counter rules. Do not delete your entire <style> block — all other CSS (fonts, colors, table styles, spacing, etc.) should remain in place.
  7. After migration, if you notice extra unexpected whitespace around the edges of your PDF, add this CSS to reset the default browser spacing:
    Quote
     <style> 
       html { 
         margin: 0px; 
         padding: 0px; 
       } 
     </style> 
    This is optional — only add it if you see spacing issues in the preview.
Edit your HTML code for header, footer, and page break tags as given in the table below.
Elements
Unsupported formats
Supported formats
Header
Content enclosed within <thead>...</thead> inside table body.
Content should be enclosed within

<section id="header-container"class="">
<div id="pdfgen-header">
...
</div>
</section>

CSS required for header content should be provided as follows:

<style>
#pdfgen-header {
}
</style>
Footer
Content enclosed within <tfoot>...</tfoot> inside table body.
Content should be enclosed within

<section id="footer-container"class="">
<div id="pdfgen-footer">
...
</div>
</section>

CSS required for footer content should be provided as follows:

<style>
#pdfgen-footer {
}
</style>
Page number


<span
class="pagenum"></span>
<style>
*.pagenum:after {
counter-increment: page;
content: "" counter(page);
}
</style>
<span class="pageNumber"></span>

To get total page number count use

<span class="totalPage"></span>

What remains the same?

  1. Except for the above mentioned changes, the remaining code structure can be maintained.
  2. Layout table: sits at the very top level of your HTML, wraps everything, has <thead>/<tbody>/<tfoot> as its direct children.
  3. Data table: sits inside the body content area and has rows/columns of actual business data (products, prices, etc.).
  4. Only the layout table needs to be replaced. Data tables inside it remain unchanged. 
  5. Only remove the .pagenum counter rules. Do not delete your entire <style> block — all other CSS (fonts, colors, table styles, spacing, etc.) should remain in place.
Once you've updated the tags, save your template and generate a PDF of it to check the alignment. To verify the alignment use Click here at the bottom so that you view the preview produced by the optimized (new) PDF generator.



Idea
Still seeing issues?
  1. Check that you do not have multiple header-container or footer-container sections in the same template.
  2. Verify there are no <tr> or <td> tags outside a real <table> element.
  3. Confirm the class name is pageNumber (capital N) — not pagenum.
  4. Ensure you have not accidentally removed CSS that was unrelated to .pagenum page counters.

If you have any questions regarding this update, please reach out to support@zohocrm.com. Thank you for your patience as we continue to enhance Zoho CRM.

      Create. Review. Publish.

      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

      Get Started Now


        Access your files securely from anywhere

          Zoho CRM Training Programs

          Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

          Zoho CRM Training
            Redefine the way you work
            with Zoho Workplace

              Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

              If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

              Zoho CRM Training

                Create, share, and deliver

                beautiful slides from anywhere.

                Get Started Now


                  Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

                  BOOK A SESSION







                              Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                              Web FormsEnterpriseOnline Data Collection Tool
                              Embeddable FormsBankingBegin Data Collection
                              Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                              CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                              Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                              HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                              Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                              Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                              Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingForms for Small Business
                              No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                              Free FormsTravelFeatures for Order Forms
                              Prefill FormsNon-Profit

                              Intake FormsLegal
                              Mobile App
                              Form DesignerHR
                              Mobile Forms
                              Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                              Assign FormsPhotographyMobile Forms Features
                              Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                              Electronic Forms
                              Drag & drop form builder

                              Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                              Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                              Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                              Email FormsFormstack alternativeEncrypted Forms

                              Wufoo alternativeSecure Forms

                              TypeformWCAG

                                All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.

                                            Create. Review. Publish.

                                            Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

                                            Get Started Now




                                                              You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                                  Manage your brands on social media


                                                                    • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                                    • Digest


                                                                    • Functions


                                                                    • Meetups


                                                                    • Kbase


                                                                    • Resources


                                                                    • Glossary


                                                                    • Desk Marketplace


                                                                    • MVP Corner


                                                                    • Word of the Day


                                                                    • Ask the Experts


                                                                      Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                                       

                                                                          Zoho Forms Resources


                                                                            Secure your business
                                                                            communication with Zoho Mail


                                                                            Mail on the move with
                                                                            Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                                              Stay on top of your schedule
                                                                              at all times


                                                                              Carry your calendar with you
                                                                              Anytime, anywhere




                                                                                    Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                                      Sign, Paperless!

                                                                                      Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                                      Get Started Now




                                                                                              Zoho TeamInbox Resources





                                                                                                        Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                                        Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                                        REGISTER NOW


                                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                                          Get Started Now








                                                                                                                              • Related Articles

                                                                                                                              • Creating Inventory Templates

                                                                                                                                With the Zoho CRM - Inventory Templates functionality, you can customize the Quote, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Invoice print layout as per your business requirements. As part of the template customization, you can change the fields in the print ...
                                                                                                                              • Troubleshooting Email Templates

                                                                                                                                1. Product details are not populated in the table created in a template. Product details will only be available if the default product table in the template has been added. If the fields in the Product Details section are added separately, the values ...
                                                                                                                              • Managing Mail Merge Templates

                                                                                                                                Mail merge is a function that helps you to simplify repetitive tasks to create personalized documents (forms, letters, address labels, envelopes, etc.). You can create a mail merge template which contains variables (merge fields), which will merge ...
                                                                                                                              • Understanding Inventory Template Builder

                                                                                                                                Components of Template Builder The template builder is made up of various components that can be dragged and dropped on to the template. Header and Footer Header and footer are available at the beginning and the end of the template. You can add them ...
                                                                                                                              • FAQs: Inventory Management

                                                                                                                                How can I create inventory templates? Zoho CRM has a gallery of predefined inventory templates, you can choose any sample and use it for your business purpose. Alternatively, you can build a template of your own and customize it as needed. Follow the ...
                                                                                                                                Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                                your workplace

                                                                                                                                  Resources

                                                                                                                                  Videos

                                                                                                                                  Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                  eBooks

                                                                                                                                  Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                                  Webinars

                                                                                                                                  Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                                  CRM Tips

                                                                                                                                  Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                                    Zoho Show Resources