When to Use the HTML Editor vs the Visual Editor
APITemplate.io gives you two editors for PDF templates. Here's how to decide between them.
Quick comparison
| HTML Editor | Visual (WYSIWYG) Editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers, complex layouts | Non-technical users, simple docs |
| Layout control | Full — you write the HTML/CSS | Limited — drag-and-drop / rich text |
| Custom CSS | Yes | No |
| Custom JavaScript | Yes | No |
| Jinja2 support | Full | Full |
| External fonts | Yes | Limited |
| Learning curve | Moderate (HTML/CSS knowledge) | Low |
| Speed to first template | Slower | Faster |
Use the HTML Editor when you need:
- Precise control over layout and spacing
- Custom CSS styling (colors, fonts, grids)
- JavaScript for dynamic content (charts, calculations)
- Complex table layouts
- External resources (fonts, icons, libraries)
- Multi-page documents with custom page breaks
Use the Visual Editor when you need:
- A simple document with text, images, and basic tables
- Quick turnaround without coding
- Non-technical team members to edit templates
- Standard formatting without complex styling
Can I switch between them?
Templates are created with one editor type and stay with that editor. If you want to try the other editor, create a new template.
Our recommendation
If you're comfortable with HTML and CSS, the HTML editor gives you the most flexibility. If you're not, or if you need something simple fast, the visual editor is the way to go. Many teams use both — the HTML editor for complex documents and the visual editor for simpler ones.