Browser Extension
Generate PDFs directly from your CRM without leaving Salesforce or HubSpot. The browser extension adds a convenient sidebar that integrates seamlessly with your workflow.
Overview
The Data to PDF browser extension embeds directly into Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing you to:
- Generate PDFs instantly - Create documents from the record you're viewing
- Automatic record detection - The extension knows which record you're on
- One-click upload - Save generated PDFs back to your CRM
- No tab switching - Work entirely within your CRM interface
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sidebar Integration | Access Data to PDF from any record page |
| Automatic Record Detection | Extracts record ID from the current URL |
| Real-time Updates | Regenerates PDFs when you navigate to different records |
| Direct Upload | Upload PDFs back to Salesforce/HubSpot records |
Installation
Google Chrome
- Download the extension from the Chrome Web Store (coming soon)
- Click Add to Chrome
- Confirm by clicking Add extension
- The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar
Manual Installation (Development)
If installing from source:
- Download the extension files
- Open Chrome and navigate to
chrome://extensions/ - Enable Developer mode in the top-right corner
- Click Load unpacked
- Select the
browser-extensionfolder - The extension will appear in your extensions list
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and navigate to
about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox - Click Load Temporary Add-on...
- Select the
manifest.jsonfile from the extension folder
Note: Firefox temporary add-ons are removed when the browser closes. A permanent Firefox Add-on will be available in the future.
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge and navigate to
edge://extensions/ - Enable Developer mode
- Click Load unpacked
- Select the extension folder
Getting Started
First-Time Setup
After installing the extension:
- Navigate to Salesforce or HubSpot - Open any record page
- Look for the purple "PDF" tab - It appears on the right side of the page
- Click to open the sidebar - The Data to PDF interface loads
- Sign in - Use your Data to PDF account credentials
- Start generating - Select a template and create PDFs
Signing In
The first time you use the extension:
- Click the PDF tab to open the sidebar
- Click Sign In or enter your credentials
- Your session persists across CRM pages
- Sign out from the sidebar menu if needed
Tip: If you're already signed in to datatopdf.app in another tab, the extension may pick up your session automatically.
Using the Extension
Opening the Sidebar
- Navigate to a record page in Salesforce or HubSpot
- Look for the purple PDF tab on the right edge of the page
- Click the tab to expand the sidebar
- Click again (or the X) to collapse it
Selecting a Template
Once the sidebar is open:
- You'll see a list of your templates
- Templates matching your current CRM are highlighted and shown first
- Click a template to select it
- If the template uses the same CRM, preview generates automatically
Automatic Record Detection
The extension automatically detects the current record:
- Record ID is extracted from the URL
- CRM type (Salesforce or HubSpot) is identified
- Object type is determined when possible
This information is passed to your templates automatically.
Generating a PDF
- Open the sidebar on a record page
- Select a template that uses your CRM's data
- The PDF preview generates automatically using the current record
- Review the preview in the sidebar
- Click Download to save locally, or
- Click Upload to CRM to attach to the record
Navigating Between Records
When you navigate to a different record:
- The extension detects the URL change
- If a template is selected, the preview regenerates
- New record data is fetched automatically
- No manual refresh needed
This works with:
- Browser navigation (back/forward)
- Clicking links within the CRM
- Using CRM search to open records
Supported CRM Platforms
Salesforce
The extension works on all Salesforce domains:
| Domain Pattern | Environment |
|---|---|
*.salesforce.com | Production |
*.lightning.force.com | Lightning Experience |
*.my.salesforce.com | My Domain |
*.sandbox.my.salesforce.com | Sandbox |
Salesforce Record Detection
The extension extracts record IDs from:
Lightning Experience:
/lightning/r/Account/001XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/view
/lightning/r/Contact/003XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/view
/lightning/r/Opportunity/006XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/view
Salesforce Classic:
/001XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
/003XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Supported Salesforce Objects
Any Salesforce object with a record detail page:
- Account, Contact, Lead, Opportunity
- Case, Quote, Order
- Custom Objects (
*__c) - Any object with a standard URL pattern
HubSpot
The extension works on HubSpot CRM:
| Domain Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
app.hubspot.com | Main HubSpot app |
*.hubspot.com | HubSpot subdomains |
HubSpot Record Detection
The extension extracts record IDs from:
/record/0-1/{recordId} → Contacts
/record/0-2/{recordId} → Companies
/record/0-3/{recordId} → Deals
/record/0-5/{recordId} → Tickets
/contact/{recordId} → Contact pages
/company/{recordId} → Company pages
/deal/{recordId} → Deal pages
/ticket/{recordId} → Ticket pages
Supported HubSpot Objects
- Contacts
- Companies
- Deals
- Tickets
- Custom objects (via record URLs)
Template Compatibility
Matching Templates to Your CRM
For the best experience:
- Create templates for your specific CRM - Templates using Salesforce data work in Salesforce; HubSpot templates work in HubSpot
- Select matching object types - If viewing an Account, use an Account template
- Highlighted templates - The extension shows compatible templates first
Template Compatibility Indicators
In the sidebar template list:
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Template shown first | Matches current CRM |
| Standard display | Different CRM or data source |
| Warning icon | Template may not work with current record |
Cross-CRM Templates
If you select a template that doesn't match your current CRM:
- A warning message appears
- You can still generate manually
- Record ID won't auto-populate
- You may need to enter a record ID manually
Uploading PDFs to Your CRM
Upload to Salesforce
After generating a PDF:
- Click Upload to Salesforce in the sidebar
- The PDF uploads as a File (ContentDocument)
- The file attaches to the current record
- A success message confirms the upload
The uploaded file:
- Appears in the record's Files related list
- Is accessible to users with record access
- Follows your org's sharing settings
Upload to HubSpot
After generating a PDF:
- Click Upload to HubSpot in the sidebar
- The PDF uploads to HubSpot's file manager
- An engagement attaches the file to the record
- A success message confirms the upload
The uploaded file:
- Appears in the record's activity timeline
- Is stored in your HubSpot file manager
- Follows your portal's permissions
Upload Requirements
For uploads to work:
| CRM | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Salesforce | Active Salesforce connection in Settings |
| HubSpot | Active HubSpot connection with files scope |
Troubleshooting
Sidebar Not Appearing
The PDF tab doesn't show on record pages:
- Verify you're on a record page - The sidebar only appears on individual record pages, not list views, dashboards, or home pages
- Check if the extension is enabled - Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar
- Refresh the page - Sometimes a page refresh is needed after installation
- Check the URL - Ensure you're on a supported CRM domain
Record ID Not Detected
The extension shows "No record detected":
- URL pattern not recognized - Some custom CRM configurations use non-standard URLs
- Check the browser console - Debug messages may explain the issue
- Navigate to a standard record page - Try opening a record from search
- Report the issue - Contact support with your URL pattern
Login Issues
Can't sign in through the sidebar:
- Third-party cookies blocked - Some browsers block cookies in iframes
- Try signing in directly at datatopdf.app first
- Adjust browser privacy settings for the extension
- Session expired - Sign out and sign back in
- Network issues - Check your internet connection
Preview Not Generating
Template selected but no preview appears:
- Template/CRM mismatch - The template may use a different data source
- Connection expired - Reconnect your CRM in Settings
- Record not found - The detected record ID may be invalid
- Check error messages - Look for specific error text in the sidebar
Upload Failing
PDF won't upload to CRM:
- CRM not connected - Verify integration in Settings
- Missing permissions - Check your CRM access rights
- File size limits - Very large PDFs may exceed CRM limits
- Session timeout - Refresh and try again
Extension Not Working After Update
- Reload extension - Go to
chrome://extensions/and click the refresh icon - Restart browser - Close and reopen your browser
- Clear cache - Clear browser cache and cookies for CRM domains
- Reinstall - Remove and reinstall the extension
Privacy & Security
Data Handling
| Data | How It's Used |
|---|---|
| CRM URLs | Analyzed locally to extract record IDs |
| Record IDs | Sent to datatopdf.app for PDF generation |
| Credentials | Stored securely in datatopdf.app (not in extension) |
| Generated PDFs | Not stored by the extension |
Permissions Explained
The extension requests these permissions:
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
activeTab | Detect current page URL for record ID extraction |
storage | Save user preferences (sidebar open/closed state) |
tabs | Communicate between extension and CRM tabs |
Host Permissions
The extension needs access to:
| Host | Reason |
|---|---|
*.salesforce.com | Inject sidebar into Salesforce pages |
*.lightning.force.com | Support Lightning Experience |
*.my.salesforce.com | Support My Domain orgs |
*.hubspot.com | Inject sidebar into HubSpot pages |
datatopdf.app | Load the application in the sidebar iframe |
Security Best Practices
- Only install from official sources - Chrome Web Store or verified downloads
- Keep the extension updated - Updates include security patches
- Review permissions - Understand what access you're granting
- Sign out when done - Especially on shared computers
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: Does the extension work offline?
A: No, the extension requires an internet connection to communicate with datatopdf.app and your CRM.
Q: Can I use the extension without a paid subscription?
A: Yes, the extension works with all plans including the free tier, subject to your plan's limits.
Q: Does the extension slow down my CRM?
A: The extension is designed to have minimal impact. The sidebar only loads when you click to open it.
Compatibility
Q: Which browsers are supported?
A: Google Chrome (recommended), Microsoft Edge, and Firefox. Safari support is planned.
Q: Does it work with Salesforce Classic?
A: Yes, both Lightning Experience and Classic are supported.
Q: Does it work with HubSpot Sales Hub Free?
A: Yes, all HubSpot tiers are supported.
Features
Q: Can I resize the sidebar?
A: The sidebar has a fixed width optimized for the template interface. Full customization is planned for future releases.
Q: Can I use keyboard shortcuts?
A: Keyboard shortcuts for opening/closing the sidebar are planned for future releases.
Q: Can multiple users use the extension on the same CRM?
A: Yes, each user signs in with their own Data to PDF account and has access to their team's templates.
Tips & Best Practices
For Best Performance
- Pre-connect your CRM - Set up integrations in Settings before using the extension
- Create dedicated templates - Design templates specifically for sidebar use
- Use matching data sources - Salesforce templates in Salesforce, HubSpot templates in HubSpot
- Keep templates simple - Fewer merge fields = faster preview generation
For Teams
- Share template best practices - Create a standard set of sidebar-friendly templates
- Document your templates - Use clear names like "Invoice - Sidebar" or "Quote - Quick"
- Train users - Show team members how to use the extension effectively
Workflow Tips
- Pin the extension - Click the puzzle icon in Chrome and pin the Data to PDF extension for quick access to settings
- Bookmark record pages - Quick access to frequently used records
- Use template naming - Name templates clearly so they're easy to find in the sidebar list
Updates & Changelog
The extension is regularly updated with new features and improvements. Updates install automatically through the Chrome Web Store.
Version History
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | December 2024 | Initial release with Salesforce and HubSpot support |
Getting Help
Self-Service
- Review this documentation
- Check the FAQ section above
- Review Troubleshooting steps
Contact Support
- Email: [email protected]
- Include: Browser version, extension version, CRM type, and steps to reproduce
Report Issues
- Bug reports: Include screenshots and browser console errors
- Feature requests: Describe your use case and desired functionality
Next Steps
- Getting Started - Set up your account
- Templates - Create templates for the sidebar
- Integrations - Connect Salesforce or HubSpot
- Merge Fields - Use dynamic data in templates
