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
FeatureDescription
Sidebar IntegrationAccess Data to PDF from any record page
Automatic Record DetectionExtracts record ID from the current URL
Real-time UpdatesRegenerates PDFs when you navigate to different records
Direct UploadUpload PDFs back to Salesforce/HubSpot records

Installation

Google Chrome

  1. Download the extension from the Chrome Web Store (coming soon)
  2. Click Add to Chrome
  3. Confirm by clicking Add extension
  4. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar

Manual Installation (Development)

If installing from source:

  1. Download the extension files
  2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/
  3. Enable Developer mode in the top-right corner
  4. Click Load unpacked
  5. Select the browser-extension folder
  6. The extension will appear in your extensions list

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox and navigate to about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox
  2. Click Load Temporary Add-on...
  3. Select the manifest.json file 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

  1. Open Edge and navigate to edge://extensions/
  2. Enable Developer mode
  3. Click Load unpacked
  4. Select the extension folder

Getting Started

First-Time Setup

After installing the extension:

  1. Navigate to Salesforce or HubSpot - Open any record page
  2. Look for the purple "PDF" tab - It appears on the right side of the page
  3. Click to open the sidebar - The Data to PDF interface loads
  4. Sign in - Use your Data to PDF account credentials
  5. Start generating - Select a template and create PDFs

Signing In

The first time you use the extension:

  1. Click the PDF tab to open the sidebar
  2. Click Sign In or enter your credentials
  3. Your session persists across CRM pages
  4. 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

  1. Navigate to a record page in Salesforce or HubSpot
  2. Look for the purple PDF tab on the right edge of the page
  3. Click the tab to expand the sidebar
  4. Click again (or the X) to collapse it

Selecting a Template

Once the sidebar is open:

  1. You'll see a list of your templates
  2. Templates matching your current CRM are highlighted and shown first
  3. Click a template to select it
  4. 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

  1. Open the sidebar on a record page
  2. Select a template that uses your CRM's data
  3. The PDF preview generates automatically using the current record
  4. Review the preview in the sidebar
  5. Click Download to save locally, or
  6. 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 PatternEnvironment
*.salesforce.comProduction
*.lightning.force.comLightning Experience
*.my.salesforce.comMy Domain
*.sandbox.my.salesforce.comSandbox

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 PatternDescription
app.hubspot.comMain HubSpot app
*.hubspot.comHubSpot 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:

  1. Create templates for your specific CRM - Templates using Salesforce data work in Salesforce; HubSpot templates work in HubSpot
  2. Select matching object types - If viewing an Account, use an Account template
  3. Highlighted templates - The extension shows compatible templates first

Template Compatibility Indicators

In the sidebar template list:

IndicatorMeaning
Template shown firstMatches current CRM
Standard displayDifferent CRM or data source
Warning iconTemplate 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:

  1. Click Upload to Salesforce in the sidebar
  2. The PDF uploads as a File (ContentDocument)
  3. The file attaches to the current record
  4. 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:

  1. Click Upload to HubSpot in the sidebar
  2. The PDF uploads to HubSpot's file manager
  3. An engagement attaches the file to the record
  4. 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:

CRMRequirement
SalesforceActive Salesforce connection in Settings
HubSpotActive HubSpot connection with files scope

Troubleshooting

Sidebar Not Appearing

The PDF tab doesn't show on record pages:

  1. Verify you're on a record page - The sidebar only appears on individual record pages, not list views, dashboards, or home pages
  2. Check if the extension is enabled - Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar
  3. Refresh the page - Sometimes a page refresh is needed after installation
  4. Check the URL - Ensure you're on a supported CRM domain

Record ID Not Detected

The extension shows "No record detected":

  1. URL pattern not recognized - Some custom CRM configurations use non-standard URLs
  2. Check the browser console - Debug messages may explain the issue
  3. Navigate to a standard record page - Try opening a record from search
  4. Report the issue - Contact support with your URL pattern

Login Issues

Can't sign in through the sidebar:

  1. 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
  2. Session expired - Sign out and sign back in
  3. Network issues - Check your internet connection

Preview Not Generating

Template selected but no preview appears:

  1. Template/CRM mismatch - The template may use a different data source
  2. Connection expired - Reconnect your CRM in Settings
  3. Record not found - The detected record ID may be invalid
  4. Check error messages - Look for specific error text in the sidebar

Upload Failing

PDF won't upload to CRM:

  1. CRM not connected - Verify integration in Settings
  2. Missing permissions - Check your CRM access rights
  3. File size limits - Very large PDFs may exceed CRM limits
  4. Session timeout - Refresh and try again

Extension Not Working After Update

  1. Reload extension - Go to chrome://extensions/ and click the refresh icon
  2. Restart browser - Close and reopen your browser
  3. Clear cache - Clear browser cache and cookies for CRM domains
  4. Reinstall - Remove and reinstall the extension

Privacy & Security

Data Handling

DataHow It's Used
CRM URLsAnalyzed locally to extract record IDs
Record IDsSent to datatopdf.app for PDF generation
CredentialsStored securely in datatopdf.app (not in extension)
Generated PDFsNot stored by the extension

Permissions Explained

The extension requests these permissions:

PermissionPurpose
activeTabDetect current page URL for record ID extraction
storageSave user preferences (sidebar open/closed state)
tabsCommunicate between extension and CRM tabs

Host Permissions

The extension needs access to:

HostReason
*.salesforce.comInject sidebar into Salesforce pages
*.lightning.force.comSupport Lightning Experience
*.my.salesforce.comSupport My Domain orgs
*.hubspot.comInject sidebar into HubSpot pages
datatopdf.appLoad the application in the sidebar iframe

Security Best Practices

  1. Only install from official sources - Chrome Web Store or verified downloads
  2. Keep the extension updated - Updates include security patches
  3. Review permissions - Understand what access you're granting
  4. 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

  1. Pre-connect your CRM - Set up integrations in Settings before using the extension
  2. Create dedicated templates - Design templates specifically for sidebar use
  3. Use matching data sources - Salesforce templates in Salesforce, HubSpot templates in HubSpot
  4. Keep templates simple - Fewer merge fields = faster preview generation

For Teams

  1. Share template best practices - Create a standard set of sidebar-friendly templates
  2. Document your templates - Use clear names like "Invoice - Sidebar" or "Quote - Quick"
  3. Train users - Show team members how to use the extension effectively

Workflow Tips

  1. Pin the extension - Click the puzzle icon in Chrome and pin the Data to PDF extension for quick access to settings
  2. Bookmark record pages - Quick access to frequently used records
  3. 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

VersionDateChanges
1.0.0December 2024Initial release with Salesforce and HubSpot support

Getting Help

Self-Service

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