Creating programs

Choosing a method

1. From the Dashboard, click + New Outline.
2. The Create screen appears. Stay on the Create Outline tab.
3. Pick a method from the two groups:
   • Manual — From Scratch: build the outline yourself item by item.
   • Build with AI — three AI-assisted methods: From Brief, Import from PDF/DOCX, and Digitise from Photo.

From Scratch

Best for: when you know exactly what content you need and want full control from the start.

1. Click From Scratch.
2. The editor opens in a new browser tab with a blank program.
3. Enter the Program Title (required) and an optional description.
4. Optionally set a Venue — start typing a venue name and select from the autocomplete suggestions. programleaf looks up the location automatically so guests can tap through to Google Maps for directions. You can also leave the field blank or type a venue name without selecting a suggestion (directions will not be available).
5. Click + Add Section to create your first section heading.
6. Click + Add Item inside the section to add your first item.
7. Fill in the item's Heading and optional Content field.
8. Repeat steps 4–6 until your program is complete.
9. Click Save in the toolbar.

From Brief Event+

Best for: quickly generating a full program outline when you have an event brief and want a head start.

Step 1 — Choose your event type

1. Click From Brief from the Create screen.
2. Select your event type from the pill options: Wedding, Church Service, Birthday, Conference, Meeting, Funeral, Graduation, Concert/Performance, Dinner/Gala, or Other.
3. Selecting a type auto-advances to the next question.

Step 2 — Answer the AI questions

1. Enter the event title (e.g., "Sarah & James Wedding").
2. Enter the event date and start time — the time picker collects both date and time together.
3. Write an outline brief: describe key moments, participants, or special requirements (up to 800 characters). The more detail you provide, the better the output.
4. Select a tone: Formal, Semi-formal, or Casual.
5. Optionally indicate an item count estimate (how many agenda items you expect).
6. Select your color preferences for the program design.

Step 3 — Review and generate

1. A review page shows a summary of your inputs. Check the details and make any changes before proceeding.
2. Click Generate Outline. The AI will build the program (usually 10–20 seconds).
3. Review the generated outline. You can edit the content directly on the page.
4. Once happy, click Save to create the outline and open it in the editor.

Import from PDF/DOCX Event+

Best for: when you already have a printed or digital program saved as a PDF or Word document.

1. Click Import from PDF/DOCX from the Create screen.
2. Click Upload file and select a PDF or DOCX file from your device. Maximum file size: 10 MB.
3. The system extracts the text (up to 10,000 words) and sends it to AI for structuring.
4. A generated outline is displayed. Review the content — AI will have organized the extracted text into sections and items.
5. Edit directly on the page if needed (AI extraction is not always perfect, especially for complex layouts), then click Save.

Digitise from Photo Event+

Best for: when you have a physical printed program and want to digitize it by taking a photo.

1. Click Digitise from Photo from the Create screen.
2. Click Upload image and select a JPG or PNG file. Maximum file size: 10 MB.
3. The image is processed using AI vision to read and structure the text content.
4. Review the generated outline. Edit directly on the page to correct any errors (AI may misread handwriting or stylized fonts), then click Save.

Creation limits by plan

Each plan sets a monthly limit on how many new programs you can create: