Note: Contract Manager is an add-on feature available to customers on an Enterprise plan.
When you build an agreement template in Contract Manager, the Docusign template editor gives you three types of fields to place on your document:
- Standard fields — recipient-facing fields for capturing signatures, initials, input, and approval actions. These are controlled by the signer during the signing session.
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Custom fields (Aurora merge fields) — fields that auto-populate with Aurora project data when an agreement is created. Admins configure these in the template; they may be edited by the sender if given permission, but are locked by the time the agreement reaches the signer.
- Formula fields — a special type of Standard field that calculates a value automatically based on other fields in the document, using math operators or date functions. Formula fields update at signing time and require no manual input from the signer.
In this article, we'll cover:
Standard fields
Standard fields are placed on the template by the admin and are filled out or acted on by the recipient during signing. They don't pull in Aurora data — they capture input directly from the signer.
Note: Make sure to select the correct recipient before adding Standard fields.
Signature fields
| Field | Description |
| Signature | Captures the recipient's legally binding e-signature. Required by default. The recipient adopts a signature style the first time they sign with Docusign; that style is reused on all subsequent fields. |
| Initial | Captures the recipient's initials. Works the same way as Signature — the recipient adopts an initials style the first time and it carries forward. |
| Date Signed | Auto-populates with the date the recipient signs. The recipient cannot edit this value. |
Identity fields
These fields auto-populate from the recipient's Docusign account profile. If the recipient doesn't have a Docusign account, or the relevant profile field is empty, they'll render as editable text inputs.
| Field | Description |
| Name | Auto-populates with the recipient's full name as stored in their Docusign account. If the recipient doesn't have an account, or changes their name when adopting their signature, the field updates to match. |
| Auto-populates with the recipient's email address. Read-only. | |
| Company | Auto-populates with the company name from the recipient's Docusign account preferences. If not available, it renders as a free-text field the recipient can fill in. |
| Title | Auto-populates with the job title from the recipient's Docusign account preferences. If not available, it renders as a free-text field. |
Input fields
| Field | Description |
| Text | A free-text field the recipient can type into. You can apply validation rules (email, phone number, date, ZIP code, SSN, or a custom regular expression) to constrain what can be entered. |
| Number | A numeric input field. Useful when you need a value that can be referenced by a Formula field. |
| Checkbox | A square checkbox the recipient can check. Can be used alone or in a group. You can set validation rules on a group (e.g., require at least one selection). Use a single required checkbox when you need explicit written agreement from the signer. |
| Dropdown | A dropdown list the recipient selects a single value from. You define the options in the field properties panel, either as a manually built list or a semicolon-separated series. |
| Radio | A set of radio buttons where the recipient can select only one option. Useful for mutually exclusive choices. Best practice is to enable the 'navigate blank required fields' Auto-Navigation setting in your Docusign account so recipients don't miss a group. |
| Payment Item | Collects a payment from the recipient at the time of signing. Requires a payment gateway to be connected to your Docusign account. Available on select Docusign plans. |
Advanced fields
| Field | Description |
| Drawing | Lets the recipient draw a freehand annotation directly on the document. Useful for markup or annotation workflows. |
| Formula | Calculates a value automatically based on other fields in the document. Supports arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /) and functions like AddDays(). See the Formula fields section below for usage details and examples. |
| Attachment | Prompts the recipient to upload a file attachment as part of the signing process. The attachment is included in the completed envelope. Required by default. |
| Note | Displays a text message to a specific recipient during their signing session only. Notes are not visible to other recipients and do not appear in the final completed document. |
| Approve | An alternative to Signature or Initial for recipients who need to indicate approval without providing a signature. The Approve field is always required. Clicking it records an 'Approved' action in the document audit trail but does not add any visible mark to the document. |
| Decline | Allows the recipient to formally decline the document. If clicked, the signing process ends for that recipient and the sender is notified. Can be paired with Approve for explicit accept/reject workflows. |
Custom fields (Aurora merge fields)
Custom fields are found in the Custom fields panel when editing an agreement template. These fields auto-populate with Aurora project data when a new agreement is created — the sender may be able to edit if given permission.
Note: Merge fields are read-only in the sent agreement. To let the recipient enter or edit a value, use a Standard field instead.
Customer information
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| Customer Name | Name (Standard Signer field) | The homeowner's full name. Use the Homeowner role field — this auto-fills when you designate who will receive the agreement. |
| Customer Email | Email (Standard Signer field) | The homeowner's email address. Use the Homeowner role field — this auto-fills when you designate who will receive the agreement. |
| Customer Address | Customer address <00> | The full project address as entered in Aurora. |
| Customer Street Address | Customer street address <01> | The street portion of the project address only (no city, state, or zip). |
| Customer City | Customer city <02> | The city portion of the project address. |
| Customer State | Customer state <03> | The state portion of the project address. |
| Customer Postal Code | Customer postal code <04> | The postal (ZIP) code portion of the project address. |
| Customer Phone Number | Customer phone number <05> | The phone number entered in the customer details section of the Aurora project. |
Organization and utility
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| Owner Company Name | Owner company name <06> | The name of the project owner’s company as specified in your Aurora account settings. |
| Utility Name | Utility name <08> | The name of the utility provider entered in the project Dashboard under Energy consumption. |
| Utility Rate Name | Utility rate name <09> | The name of the utility rate selected in the project Dashboard under Energy consumption > Rate. |
| Utility Rate Name (Post-Solar) | Utility rate name (post-solar) <1u> | The utility rate that will apply to the homeowner after the solar system is installed. |
System and production
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| System Size STC (kW) | System size STC (kW) <0c> | The system size calculated by multiplying the number of panels by each panel's STC wattage. This is the most commonly used system size figure and is what Aurora displays by default. |
| System Size AC (kW) | System size AC (kW) <0a> | The system size based on the inverter's AC output rating. |
| System Size PTC (kW) | System size PTC (kW) <0b> | The system size calculated by multiplying the number of panels by each panel's PTC wattage. |
| Annual Production | Annual production (kWh) <0s> | The estimated yearly energy output of the PV system, in kilowatt-hours. |
| Annual Offset | Annual offset (%) <0t> | The estimated percentage of the homeowner's annual electricity consumption that the solar system will offset. |
| Annual Consumption - One Year (Pre-Solar) | Annual consumption - one year (pre-solar) | The homeowner's total electricity consumption for one year before solar is installed, in kWh. |
| SAP (%) | SAP (%) <0q> | Solar Access Percentage — the share of total available solar irradiance that reaches the roof, accounting for shading. |
| TSRF (%) | TSRF (%) <17> | Total Solar Resource Fraction — an efficiency rating that combines solar access with the tilt and orientation factor (TOF) for the specific location. Expressed as a percentage. |
| Useful Project Life | Useful project life (years) <17> | The expected operational lifespan of the solar system in years, used to define the length of the financial analysis. |
| Degradation Factor (%) | Degradation factor (%) <18> | The annual rate at which module output decreases over time, expressed as a percentage. |
Equipment
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| Module Manufacturer | Module manufacturer <0k> | The manufacturer of the solar panels included in the design. |
| Module Name | Module name <0l> | The model name of the solar panels included in the design. |
| Module Count | Module count <0m> | The total number of solar panels placed in the project. |
| Inverter Manufacturer Name | Inverter manufacturer name <0i> | The manufacturer of the inverter (string or micro) included in the design. |
| Inverter Name | Inverter name <0g> | The model name of the inverter(s) included in the design. |
| Inverter Count | Inverter count <0j> | The number of inverters included in the design. |
| Optimizer Manufacturer Name | Optimizer manufacturer name <0e> | The manufacturer of the DC power optimizer included in the design. |
| Optimizer Name | Optimizer name <0d> | The model name of the DC power optimizer included in the design. |
| Optimizer Count | Optimizer count <0f> | The number of DC power optimizers included in the design. |
| Battery Manufacturer | Battery manufacturer <1k> | The manufacturer of the battery storage system included in the design. |
| Battery Name | Battery name <1j> | The model name of the battery storage system included in the design. |
| Battery Count | Battery count <1i> | The total number of battery units added to the project. |
| Per Unit Battery Capacity (kWh) | Per unit battery capacity (kWh) <1n> | The energy storage capacity of a single battery unit, in kilowatt-hours. |
| Battery Capacity (kWh) | Battery capacity (kWh) <1o> | The total combined energy storage capacity of all batteries in the project. |
| Storage Backup Allocation (%) | Storage backup allocation (%) <1v> | The percentage of battery capacity reserved for backup power. |
| Storage Inverter Name | Storage inverter name <0h> | The model name of the inverter used with the battery storage system. |
| Ground Mount Manufacturer | Groundmount manufacturer <0o> | The manufacturer of the ground-mount racking system included in the design. |
| Ground Mount Name | Groundmount name <0n> | The model name of the ground-mount racking system included in the design. |
| Ground Mount Count | Groundmount count <0p> | The number of ground-mount racking units included in the project. |
Pricing and incentives
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| System Cost Less Storage | System cost less storage <0y> | The total system cost excluding any battery storage equipment. |
| System Cost With Storage | System cost with storage <0z> | The total system cost including battery storage equipment. |
| Storage Price | Storage price <1m> | The total price of all storage equipment in the project. |
| Gross Price Before Incentives | Gross price before incentives <13> | The full system price before any incentives or tax credits are applied. |
| Price per Watt | Price per watt <0u> | The total system cost divided by the number of STC watts. A common industry benchmark for comparing system pricing. |
| Incentives | Incentives <0v> | The total value of financial incentives applied to the project, such as utility rebates or state programs. |
| Estimated Value of ITC | Estimated value of ITC <12> | The estimated federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) value — the amount the homeowner may be able to deduct from their federal taxes. |
| Adders | Adders <0w> | Additional charges applied to the system cost, such as a trenching fee or permit fee. |
| Adder Totals | Adder totals <0x> | When an adder is configured as a percentage of system cost, this field displays the actual dollar amount of that percentage rather than the percentage itself (e.g., 5% of a $10,000 system displays as $500.00). |
| Cumulative Value of Year-Zero Incentives | Cumulative value of year-zero incentives | The total value of all incentives that are realized immediately in the first year of the project. |
| Discount Rate (%) | Discount rate (%) <16> | The rate used to account for the time value of money in long-term financial projections — reflecting that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar in the future. |
| Lifetime Savings | Lifetime savings <19> | The estimated total amount the homeowner will save on electricity costs over the life of the solar system. |
| Year 1 Bill Savings Estimate | Year 1 bill savings estimate <1w> | The estimated reduction in the homeowner's electricity bill during the first year after going solar. |
Financing
| Field | Docusign code | Description |
| Financing Name | Financing name <14> | The name of the financing product used in the design. |
| Financing Option | Financing option <15> | The type of financing product selected, such as cash purchase, solar loan, or solar lease. |
| Financier Name | Financier name <1p> | The name of the financial institution providing the financing. |
| Loan Principal | Loan principal <1b> | The original loan amount — the total amount borrowed before interest. |
| Down Payment | Down payment <1c> | The upfront payment made by the homeowner at the time of purchase. |
| Interest Rate | Interest rate <1g> | The annual interest rate charged by the lender, expressed as a percentage. |
| Duration (Months) | Duration (months) <1h> | The loan repayment period expressed in months (e.g. 300 days). |
| Loan Duration (Years and Months) | Loan duration (years and months) | The loan repayment period expressed in a combined years-and-months format (e.g., 25 years, 0 months). |
| Monthly Payment First Month | Monthly payment first month <1d> | The payment amount due in the first month of the loan. Works best for mortgage-style loans with no buy-down period; for other structures, use an open text field. |
| Scheduled Monthly Payment | Scheduled monthly payments <1e> | The regular monthly payment amount the homeowner can expect after the first month. |
| Principal Percentage | Principal percentage <1f> | The portion of the total loan that represents borrowed principal (excluding interest), expressed as a percentage. |
| Total Amount Paid | Total amount paid (including interest) <1t> | The total amount the homeowner will pay over the life of the loan, including all interest. |
| Escalation Rate | Escalation rate <1q> | The annual rate at which payments increase over time, used in lease and PPA agreements. |
| Solar Rate | Solar rate <1r> | The per-kWh rate the homeowner pays for solar energy under a lease or PPA agreement. |
| Lease/PPA Upfront Payment | Lease/PPA upfront payment <1s> | The initial upfront payment required to enter into a solar lease or power purchase agreement. |
| Lease/PPA Year 1 Monthly Payment | Lease/PPA year 1 monthly payment | The monthly payment amount during the first year of a solar lease or PPA. |
Formula fields
Formula fields calculate a value automatically based on other fields in the document. You can combine Custom and Standard fields using math operators, or use built-in functions for date calculations. Formula fields are a type of Standard field — find them in the Standard fields panel under Advanced.
To add a formula field:
- Open your agreement template in the Docusign template editor.
- In the left panel, scroll to Standard fields and locate the Formula field.
- Drag the Formula field onto your document where you want the calculated value to appear.
- Click Setup (or the pencil icon) to open the formula editor.
- Build your formula by selecting fields and operators (see examples below).
- Click Save to apply the formula.
Tip: If you encounter an error while editing a formula, do not continue editing that field. Cancel out and drag in a fresh Formula field from the menu.
Example: Total system cost
To calculate a total that adds system cost and storage together:
- Drag both System Cost Less Storage and Storage Price onto the document.
- Add a Formula field and click Setup.
- In the formula editor, select System Cost Less Storage, then add a + operator, then select Storage Price.
- Set the decimal places to 2 for currency formatting.
- Click Save.
Example: Per-unit price
To calculate the cost per battery unit (or any individual item price from a total and a count):
- Drag Storage Price and Battery Count onto the document.
- Add a Formula field and click Setup.
- Enter the formula: [Storage Price] / [Battery Count]
- Click Save.
Example: Date offset
To display a date a set number of days after the agreement is signed — for example, a payment due 60 days after signing:
- Drag the Date Signed standard field onto the document.
- Add a Formula field and click Setup.
- Enter the formula: AddDays([Date Signed], 60)
- Click Save. The field will automatically display the correct date once the agreement is signed.