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POST /format/v1/document Convert Markdown, JSON, or plain text into professionally formatted documents with full control over typography and layout.

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Request

curl -X POST https://api.case.dev/format/v1/document \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_case_YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "# Legal Memorandum\n\nRe: Smith v. Jones...",
    "input_format": "md",
    "output_format": "pdf",
    "options": {
      "template": "standard",
      "header": "CONFIDENTIAL",
      "styles": {
        "h1": { "font": "Times New Roman", "size": 14, "bold": true, "alignment": "center" },
        "p": { "font": "Times New Roman", "size": 12, "spacingAfter": 12 }
      }
    }
  }'

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Parameters

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
contentstringYesSource content to format
input_formatstringNoInput format: md, json, or text. Default: md
output_formatstringYesOutput format: pdf, docx, or html_preview
optionsobjectNoFormatting configuration (see below)

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Options

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Layout and branding

OptionTypeDescription
templatestringstandard (default) or pleading (legal paper with line numbers)
headerstringText for document header
footerstringText for document footer (supports {{page}} for page numbers)
marginsobject{ top, right, bottom, left } in points
imagesarrayImage objects: { url, width, height, align, x, y }

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Element styles

The styles object lets you define the appearance of each element type:
Typescript
options: {
  styles: {
    h1: { font: 'Times New Roman', size: 16, bold: true, alignment: 'center' },
    h2: { font: 'Times New Roman', size: 14, bold: true },
    p: { font: 'Times New Roman', size: 12, spacingAfter: 12 },
    code: { font: 'Courier New', size: 10 },
    default: { font: 'Times New Roman', size: 12 }
  }
}
PropertyTypeDescription
fontstringFont family: Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia, Courier New
sizenumberFont size in points
boldbooleanBold text
alignmentstringleft, center, right, or justify
spacingBeforenumberSpace before element in points
spacingAfternumberSpace after element in points

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Template components with variables

Use {{variable}} placeholders in your content, then provide values:
Typescript
options: {
  components: [{
    content: '# Agreement\n\nBetween {{party1}} and {{party2}}...',
    variables: {
      party1: 'Acme Corp',
      party2: 'Smith LLC'
    },
    styles: { /* optional overrides */ }
  }]
}
You can also reference saved templates by ID:
Typescript
options: {
  components: [{
    templateId: 'tmpl_abc123',
    variables: {
      party1: 'Acme Corp',
      party2: 'Smith LLC'
    }
  }]
}

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Response

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For pdf and docx

Returns binary file content with appropriate headers:
  • Content-Type: application/pdf or application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
  • Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="formatted.pdf" or formatted.docx

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For html_preview

Returns HTML string: 
<html>
  <head><title>Legal Memorandum</title></head>
  <body>
    <h1 style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
      Legal Memorandum
    </h1>
    ...
  </body>
</html>

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Examples

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Court pleading with line numbers

# CLI (via cURL - no direct CLI command)
curl -X POST https://api.case.dev/format/v1/document \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CASEDEV_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "# MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT\n\n**CASE NO.:** 2024-CV-12345\n\nPlaintiff JOHN DOE hereby moves this Court for summary judgment...",
    "input_format": "md",
    "output_format": "pdf",
    "options": {
      "template": "pleading",
      "header": "SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES",
      "footer": "MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT - {{page}}",
      "margins": { "top": 72, "right": 72, "bottom": 72, "left": 108 }
    }
  }'

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Contract with dynamic values

# CLI (via cURL - no direct CLI command)
curl -X POST https://api.case.dev/format/v1/document \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CASEDEV_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "...",
    "input_format": "md",
    "output_format": "docx",
    "options": {
      "components": [{
        "variables": {
          "client_name": "Acme Corp",
          "effective_date": "01/15/2025",
          "term_length": "12 months",
          "monthly_fee": "$5,000"
        }
      }],
      "styles": {
        "h1": { "font": "Georgia", "size": 18, "alignment": "center" },
        "p": { "font": "Georgia", "size": 11, "spacingAfter": 8 }
      }
    }
  }'

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Quick preview

# CLI (via cURL - no direct CLI command)
curl -X POST https://api.case.dev/format/v1/document \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CASEDEV_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "# Your markdown here...",
    "output_format": "html_preview"
  }'

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Error codes

StatusDescription
400Invalid input format, missing required fields, or template variable errors
401Invalid or missing API key
404Referenced template not found