How to use DocuSign "Smart Sections" to collapse HTML content?

Understanding DocuSign Smart Sections for Efficient Document Management

In the evolving landscape of digital agreements, businesses are increasingly turning to advanced features in eSignature platforms to streamline workflows and enhance user experience. DocuSign’s Smart Sections stand out as a powerful tool for managing complex documents, particularly when dealing with HTML-embedded content. This feature allows users to create collapsible sections within agreements, making lengthy contracts more navigable without overwhelming signers. From a business perspective, implementing Smart Sections can reduce document abandonment rates and improve completion times, ultimately boosting operational efficiency in sectors like legal, real estate, and finance.

What Are DocuSign Smart Sections?

Smart Sections in DocuSign refer to dynamic, interactive elements within eSignature envelopes that enable sections of a document—often containing HTML-formatted content like tables, lists, or embedded forms—to be collapsed or expanded on demand. This functionality is part of DocuSign’s broader document authoring tools, available primarily in higher-tier plans such as Business Pro or Enterprise. Unlike static PDFs, Smart Sections leverage HTML rendering to make documents responsive, allowing signers to focus on relevant parts without scrolling through dense text.

From a commercial standpoint, this feature addresses a common pain point: information overload in contracts. According to industry reports, documents exceeding 10 pages see a 20-30% drop in completion rates due to signer fatigue. Smart Sections mitigate this by structuring content hierarchically, similar to accordions in web design, which can lead to higher engagement and faster cycle times for sales or HR teams.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Smart Sections to Collapse HTML Content

To effectively use DocuSign Smart Sections for collapsing HTML content, follow this practical workflow. This process assumes you have access to DocuSign’s template editor or envelope creation tools, typically requiring a Business Pro subscription or higher (starting at $40/user/month annually).

Step 1: Prepare Your Document with HTML Elements

Begin by uploading or creating a document in DocuSign. If your content includes HTML—such as dynamic clauses, checklists, or embedded iframes—ensure it’s formatted correctly. DocuSign supports HTML import via its web-based editor or by uploading an HTML file converted to PDF with preserved markup.

• Navigate to the DocuSign dashboard and select “New” > “Send an Envelope.”
• Upload your base document (e.g., a contract with HTML tables for pricing details).
• Use the “Edit” mode to insert HTML snippets. For instance, add a collapsible section for terms and conditions using basic HTML like <div class="collapsible"> wrapped in a container.

Business tip: Pre-format HTML externally in tools like Adobe Acrobat or HTML editors to ensure compatibility, avoiding rendering issues that could delay approvals.

Step 2: Enable Smart Sections in the Template

Smart Sections are configured within DocuSign’s template library, allowing reuse across multiple envelopes.

• Go to “Templates” in the menu and create or edit a template.
• In the document editor, highlight the HTML content you want to make collapsible (e.g., a lengthy FAQ section).
• From the right-hand properties panel, select “Advanced Fields” > “Smart Section.”
• Configure the section: Set a title (e.g., “Optional Addendums”), choose “Collapsible” mode, and define default state (expanded or collapsed).
• For HTML-specific collapse, link the section to JavaScript-like behaviors supported by DocuSign’s renderer—use attributes like data-collapse="true" if embedding custom code.

This step is crucial for businesses handling variable-length agreements, such as customizable service contracts, where irrelevant sections can be hidden to personalize the experience.

Step 3: Add Conditional Logic and Fields

Enhance collapse functionality with DocuSign’s conditional routing.

• Drag and drop fields (e.g., checkboxes or radio buttons) outside the Smart Section.
• Link conditions: For example, if a signer selects “Yes” to an optional clause, the HTML section expands automatically via “Conditional Logic” settings.
• Test the HTML rendering: Preview the envelope to ensure collapsible elements fold smoothly without breaking layout on mobile devices.

Commercially, this integration reduces errors in complex deals, like real estate leases with expandable appendices, potentially saving teams hours per transaction.

Step 4: Send, Track, and Optimize

• Assign roles and send the envelope. Signers will see collapsible headers; clicking expands the HTML content.
• Monitor via the “Manage” tab: Track which sections are interacted with to refine future templates.
• Iterate based on analytics: DocuSign provides usage reports showing collapse/expand rates, helping businesses optimize for conversion.

Potential challenges include HTML compatibility limits in older plans—Enterprise users get fuller support. Overall, mastering Smart Sections can cut document review time by up to 40%, per user feedback in B2B environments.

Broader Business Implications of Smart Sections

Adopting Smart Sections aligns with the shift toward user-centric digital tools, where brevity drives adoption. In competitive markets, platforms like DocuSign differentiate through such innovations, but implementation requires training. For global teams, ensure HTML content complies with regional standards, though DocuSign’s core eSignature adheres to ESIGN and eIDAS.

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Comparing Leading eSignature Platforms: DocuSign, Adobe Sign, eSignGlobal, and HelloSign

When evaluating eSignature solutions, businesses weigh factors like pricing, features, and compliance. Below is a neutral comparison of key players, based on 2025 public data. DocuSign excels in enterprise-scale automation, while alternatives offer varied strengths in cost or regional focus.

This table highlights trade-offs: DocuSign suits complex workflows, Adobe Sign integrates well with creative tools, eSignGlobal prioritizes affordability and APAC, and HelloSign favors simplicity.

DocuSign remains a market leader with comprehensive tools like Smart Sections, but its per-seat model can escalate costs for large teams.

Adobe Sign: A PDF-Centric Alternative

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Acrobat ecosystem, emphasizes seamless PDF handling and workflow automation. It supports interactive forms and basic collapsible elements via field logic, though less specialized than DocuSign’s Smart Sections. Pricing starts affordably for individuals but scales with enterprise needs, making it ideal for creative or document-heavy industries. However, it may require additional Adobe subscriptions for full value.

eSignGlobal: Regional Compliance and Cost Efficiency

eSignGlobal positions itself as a versatile eSignature platform compliant in over 100 mainstream countries, with a strong edge in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. APAC’s electronic signature landscape is characterized by fragmentation, high standards, and strict regulations, contrasting with the more framework-based approaches in the US (ESIGN) and EU (eIDAS). Here, standards demand “ecosystem-integrated” solutions, requiring deep hardware/API-level integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities—far beyond email verification or self-declaration models common in the West.

This technical barrier makes APAC deployments challenging for Western providers, but eSignGlobal excels by natively supporting integrations like Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, ensuring legal validity without custom workarounds. On pricing, its Essential plan offers strong value at just $16.6/month (annual equivalent), allowing up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification via access codes—all while maintaining compliance. This makes it highly cost-effective for growing teams, especially in cross-border APAC operations where data residency and speed matter.

eSignGlobal is actively expanding globally, including in the Americas and Europe, to compete directly with DocuSign and Adobe Sign through lower entry barriers and flexible scaling.

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HelloSign: Simplicity for Small Teams

HelloSign, now under Dropbox, focuses on user-friendly signing with drag-and-drop templates. It handles basic HTML via embeds but lacks advanced collapse features like Smart Sections. Best for SMBs needing quick setups, its pricing is competitive, though API access adds costs.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fit

For businesses leveraging DocuSign’s Smart Sections, the investment pays off in streamlined HTML-heavy documents. As alternatives, consider eSignGlobal for regional compliance needs, particularly in APAC, where it offers a balanced, cost-effective option as a DocuSign substitute. Evaluate based on your scale and geography for optimal results.