How to Create, Edit, and Apply PDF Invoice Templates

PDF Invoices

PDF Invoices stores one custom HTML template on the site. Create, edit, and built-in “Select” all write that same file. Saving the template does not rebuild PDFs that already exist.

In this guide

  1. Where to click
  2. Create vs Edit vs Select
  3. Apply a template to existing orders
  4. Edit the HTML file
  5. Common mistakes

Where to click

  1. In WordPress, go to Settings → PMPro PDF Invoices.
  2. Open the Tools tab.
  3. Use the Invoice Template box.
ButtonWhen you see itWhat it does
Create TemplateNo custom template on disk yetOpens the editor and will create order.html.
Edit TemplateA custom order.html already existsOpens the editor for that file.
Select Built-in TemplateAlwaysCopies a bundled design over order.html. This replaces your custom file.
Reset to DefaultA custom template existsRemoves the custom file so the plugin default is used.
Download Sample PDFAlwaysBuilds a dummy PDF from the current template. Use this before regenerating real invoices.

Create vs Edit vs Select

There is no “new template” library. The site uses a single override:

wp-content/uploads/pmpro-invoice-templates/order.html

Select Built-in Template is how you start from Corporate or another bundled design. It is not an extra saved copy. If you already edited the template, Select overwrites those edits.

Edit Template only appears after a custom file exists. If you only see Create Template, you are still on the plugin default.

Apply a template to existing orders

New checkouts use the current template. Old PDFs stay as they were until you regenerate them.

Tools buttonEffect
Generate Missing InvoicesBuilds PDFs only for orders that do not have one.
Regenerate All InvoicesOverwrites every stored PDF with the current template. Leave the tab open until it finishes.

After you save template changes, download a sample PDF. If it looks right, use Generate Missing or Regenerate All.

Edit the HTML file

You can edit order.html in the visual editor or as HTML. Placeholders such as {{invoice_code}} and user-field tokens are documented in Adding user fields and Customize layout with code.

Common mistakes

Clicking Select Built-in Template after customising

Select replaces order.html. Your previous layout is gone unless you have a backup.

Fix: Use Edit Template for changes. Only use Select when you intend to start over from a bundled design.

Saving the template and expecting old invoices to change

Stored PDFs are files. The editor does not rewrite them.

Fix: Use Download Sample PDF, then Generate Missing or Regenerate All.