> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.acelabusa.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a Blank Smart Doc

> Start a new Smart Doc from a blank canvas so you can build your layout from scratch.

The **Blank Smart Doc** starting point opens an empty canvas so you can design a document from the ground up. Use it when no existing template fits, or when you're building a layout you plan to save as a template later.

## When To Start Blank

* You're creating a **new document type** your firm hasn't produced before.
* You want to **prototype a layout** before saving it as a [Page Template](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-page-templates).
* The existing templates don't match the deliverable you need.

If you already have a template that fits, use [Create a Smart Doc from a Template](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-create-from-template) instead.

## Creating a Blank Smart Doc

1. Open the project you want to add the document to.
2. Open Smart Docs from either entry point:
   * **From Schedules View:** open the project's **Views** menu, click **Create New View**, then choose **Smart Doc**.
   * **From the side navigation:** open the project's menu (the **+** CTA), then click **Create Smart Docs**.
3. Give the document a **name** and set visibility to **Shared** or **Personal**, then click **Create View**.
4. In the **Choose a starting point** modal, select **Blank Smart Doc**.
5. The editor opens with a single empty page on the canvas.

## Building Out the Document

From the blank canvas, you can:

* Add pages and organize them using [Loose Pages](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-loose-pages), [Custom Binders](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-custom-binders), or [Reference Binders](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-reference-binders).
* Insert [Smart Fields](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-smart-fields) to pull in company, project, or product data.
* Insert a [Smart Schedule](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-smart-schedule) to display a full project schedule as a table.
* Add [Document Elements](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-document-elements) like text, images, tables, checklists, dividers, page numbers, and form fields.
* Adjust page size, background, and orientation in the **Page Inspector** on the right.

See [Navigating Smart Docs](/help-center/working-on-projects/navigating-smart-docs) for a full walkthrough of the editor.

## Saving Your Work as a Template

Once your layout is where you want it, save it for reuse:

* **Save a single page** as a Page Template from the page's action menu in the Pages drawer.
* **Save the entire document** as a Smart Doc template using **Save as Template** in the top toolbar.

Admins can toggle **Company-wide** on either template to share it with the whole firm. See [Page Templates](/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-page-templates) for details.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a Smart Doc from a Template" icon="clone" href="/help-center/working-on-projects/smart-docs-create-from-template">
    Start from a saved template instead of a blank canvas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Navigating Smart Docs" icon="compass" href="/help-center/working-on-projects/navigating-smart-docs">
    Tour the Smart Docs editor.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>