How to Populate and Update Tables

Problem

You need to populate or update table content in PandaDoc documents via the API -- for example, injecting product data, specifications, or dynamic rows from an external system into a template table.

Prerequisites

A PandaDoc template with at least one named table
A PandaDoc API key or OAuth token
Familiarity with the Create Document from Template or Update Document endpoints

Solution

Step 1: Identify the table structure

Tables follow a hierarchical JSON structure: tables → name + data → sections → header + rows.

Use the Document Details endpoint to check available table names. The name must exactly match an existing table in your template.

Step 2: Populate a table during document creation

Include a tables array in your create document request. Each table has a name and data object containing sections with header and rows:

{
    "tables": [
        {
            "name": "Table 1",
            "data": {
                "sections": [
                    {
                        "header": [
                            {"text": "Brand"},
                            {"text": "Category"},
                            {"text": "Model"}
                        ],
                        "rows": [
                            [
                                {"text": "BMW"},
                                {"text": "Sedan"},
                                {"text": "5 Series"}
                            ],
                            [
                                {"text": "Toyota"},
                                {"text": "SUV"},
                                {"text": "RAV4"}
                            ]
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}

🚧
Extra columns in the payload are ignored, and updates will not change the table's width. Table and cell styles (font, background) are preserved from the template -- the API updates only cell content.

Step 3: Use markdown in cells

Cell text supports markdown formatting: bold (**), italic (*), links ([text](url)), lists, and numbered lists. Use \n for line breaks.

"rows": [
    [
        {"text": "Features"},
        {"text": "- Item 1\n- Item 2\n- **Item 3**"}
    ],
    [
        {"text": "Link"},
        {"text": "[PandaDoc](https://app.pandadoc.com/)"}
    ]
]

🚧
Text using [variable] syntax will be interpreted as a PandaDoc variable, not as a markdown link.

Step 4: Merge cells with `col_span` and `row_span` (optional)

To merge cells horizontally or vertically, add col_span and row_span to cell objects. Set merged-over cells to col_span: 0 and row_span: 0:

"header": [
    {
        "text": "Attribute",
        "col_span": 2,
        "row_span": 1
    },
    {
        "text": "",
        "col_span": 0,
        "row_span": 0
    },
    {
        "text": "Notes",
        "col_span": 1,
        "row_span": 1
    }
]

Step 5: Update tables in an existing document

To modify tables after creation, send a PATCH request with only the tables you want to change. Sections and rows should follow the existing structure to maintain consistency:

PATCH /public/v1/documents/{document_id}
{
    "tables": [
        {
            "name": "Table 1",
            "data": {
                "sections": [
                    {
                        "header": [
                            {"text": "Brand"},
                            {"text": "Category"},
                            {"text": "Model"}
                        ],
                        "rows": [
                            [
                                {"text": "Updated Brand"},
                                {"text": "Updated Category"},
                                {"text": "Updated Model"}
                            ]
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}

Verification

Confirm the document reaches document.draft status after creation or update.
Open the document in the PandaDoc web app to verify table content, formatting, and merged cells render as expected.
Use the Document Details endpoint to check the table structure.

Working with Text Blocks -- managing text block content via API
Working with Pricing Tables -- pricing-specific table operations
Update Quotes -- updating quote data via API
Create a Document from Template -- full template-based document creation

How to Populate and Update Tables

Problem

Prerequisites

Solution

Step 1: Identify the table structure

Step 2: Populate a table during document creation

Extra columns in the payload are ignored, and updates will not change the table's width. Table and cell styles (font, background) are preserved from the template -- the API updates only cell content.

Step 3: Use markdown in cells

Text using `[variable]` syntax will be interpreted as a PandaDoc variable, not as a markdown link.

Step 4: Merge cells with `col_span` and `row_span` (optional)

Step 5: Update tables in an existing document

Verification

Related

Problem

Prerequisites

Solution

Step 1: Identify the table structure

Step 2: Populate a table during document creation

Extra columns in the payload are ignored, and updates will not change the table's width. Table and cell styles (font, background) are preserved from the template -- the API updates only cell content.

Step 3: Use markdown in cells

Text using [variable] syntax will be interpreted as a PandaDoc variable, not as a markdown link.

Step 4: Merge cells with col_span and row_span (optional)

Step 5: Update tables in an existing document

Verification

Related

Text using `[variable]` syntax will be interpreted as a PandaDoc variable, not as a markdown link.

Step 4: Merge cells with `col_span` and `row_span` (optional)