Proposals are often split into various sections during the work in process stage. Admins can construct a single document from multiple files by using the document merge feature. This can be done manually or by selecting a proposal or zone template and modifying if desired.

The manual process involves selecting files from the left treeview in the order they are to be added, selecting the break type from pull down menu, selecting the local folder where the file is to be created, selecting a name for the new file and clicking on Start Merge. Files can be selected by double clicking on them or using the add button. Can select multiple files at same time. If a file is selected in the merge documents panel and then another file is selected from the treeview, the new file will be added above the selected file. The Move up and down buttons can be used to move the position of selected files.

The semi-automated process involves selecting the proposal or the zone radio button, selecting desired template from the pull down menu, and then editing any of the selections as desired. If the selected template cannot be validated for the existing proposal documents, the missing ones will be shown in red, allowing the admin to remove or replace them with the proper ones. An alert panel indicating the problems will be shown if they are not corrected before clicking on start.

The five break types are as follows:

1. Page Break: Inserts a normal page break Text continues on next page, but the section remains the same
2. Section Break Continuous: Inserts a section break, but not a page break The page continues to be the same while a new section is created
3. Break Even Page: Inserts a page break or two so that the text continues on an even page A new section starts on that even page
4. Break Next Page: Inserts a page break and a new section starts on next page
5. Break Odd Page: Inserts a page break or two so that the text continues on an odd page A new section starts on that odd page

No matter what break is selected, certain styles will be inherited from the first document that is merged. A style template may be best document to be at the top. If section break continuous, break even page, break next page or break odd page are selected, each file merged will maintain page layout (if the original document is configured for pagination based on section) and header/footer. If page break is selected, each document will inherit selections from the first file. This feature can be used to merge Word, PowerPoint, XML, HTML, log, TXT and RTF files.

When merging PowerPoint files, a page break is created after each slide. Excel files can also be merged, but only if all files selected are Excel. The resultant file will contain all the data in one worksheet in the order selected with a page break after each worksheet.

Any admin can create a proposal or zone merge template. After desired selections are made as indicated above, the admin selects either proposal or zone radio button, clicks on Save Template icon, enters name in panel that pops up (limited to 16 characters), and then OKs it. If the name already exists, a warning will be given with an option to overwrite or cancel. The admin can also start with an existing template, modify it as desired, click on Save Template As icon, enter name in panel that pops up (limited to 16 characters) and then OK it. If the name already exists, a warning will be given with an option to overwrite or cancel. Any admin can delete a template by selecting it and clicking on Delete icon. An alert panel will open to warn of impending action.