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Manual1 Getting started1.2

Uploading contracts

Uploading a contract is how you add it to Renewly. Renewly then reads it and pulls out the dates and terms you need to track. This page explains how to upload and what happens next.

Supported file format

Renewly accepts PDF files only. Scanned and photographed contracts work too, as long as they are saved as a PDF. If your contract is a Word document, save it as a PDF first. See Scanned documents for tips on scans.

File requirements

  • Maximum file size: 4 MB per file.
  • Typed or scanned: both work. Renewly spots a scan automatically and reads the page images.
  • Language: contracts in many languages work. The details are shown to you in English. See Multi-language contracts.
  • Content: any contract with dates, renewal terms or payment terms. For example, a software subscription, a service agreement or a lease.

How to upload

  1. Click Upload in the menu on the left.
  2. Type a name for the contract in Contract Title. For example, "Service Agreement with Acme Corp".
  3. Drag your PDF onto the upload area, or click Browse files to pick it from your computer.
  4. If you belong to a team, choose a team where you have upload access under Upload Destination. A personal workspace is only available if you do not belong to any team.
  5. Click Upload Contract.

Renewly then starts reading the contract. You can watch its progress on screen. It usually takes under a minute. Long or dense contracts can take a little longer.

Anyone with the viewer role (read-only access) cannot upload. If the upload button is missing or greyed out, ask an admin on your team to change your role.

What happens during processing

  1. File check: Renewly checks the file is a PDF and within the size limit, then stores it securely.
  2. Reading: Renewly reads the whole contract, including scanned pages.
  3. Pulling out the details: it finds the parties, dates, notice period, value, payment terms and other key terms.
  4. Double-checking: a second check runs on the key details, such as the renewal date and notice period.
  5. Risks: it lists terms that could cost you money or lock you in, with a severity for each.
  6. Ready for review: the results are saved to your account, and the contract waits for someone to check it. See the review queue.

Departments and uploads

Some teams split their contracts by department, so members only see contracts assigned to their departments. Renewly assigns new uploads to the uploader's departments. If you are a member with no department, your upload can be hidden from you. Owners and admins can still see it. An admin can change a contract's departments later on the contract page. See Departments.

Common upload issues

File too large

Files over 4 MB cannot be uploaded. Try compressing the PDF, scanning in black and white, or splitting a long contract into separate files.

Scanned PDF

Scans upload and are read like any other PDF. A faded or blurry scan can lower the confidence level, so check those results closely. See Scanned documents for tips on getting a clean scan.

Wrong file type

Only PDF files are accepted. Save Word documents, text files and pictures as a PDF before you upload them.

Batch upload

Batch upload lets you add several contracts in one go. It is handy when you first move your existing contracts into Renewly.

How batch upload works

  1. On the Upload page, click Batch upload.
  2. Optionally, give the batch a name in Batch Name, such as "Q1 contracts".
  3. Drag several PDFs onto the upload area, or click Browse files.
  4. Check the list in the Upload Queue, then click the Upload button. It shows how many contracts you are adding.
  5. Renewly reads the contracts in small groups. We email you when the whole batch is finished.

Batch size limit. All the files in one batch must add up to 4 MB or less. Most contracts are much smaller than that, but a few large scans can fill a batch. If you go over, split the files into two or more batches.

Progress tracking

While a batch is being read, the progress page shows:

  • Overall progress: how many contracts have been read so far, out of the total.
  • Time: how long it has been running, and an estimate of the time left.
  • Each contract's status: Queued, Processing, Completed or Failed.
  • What was found: for finished contracts, a short summary such as the renewal date and notice period.

When the batch is done, click Review Contracts to check the results.

Can I close the tab?

An upload happens in two parts:

Part 1: Uploading - stay on the page

While your files are being sent from your computer, keep the tab open. If you close it or go to another page, the upload stops and you need to start again. Renewly shows an "Upload in progress" message while this is happening.

Part 2: Reading - safe to leave

Once the files are uploaded and you see the progress screen, you can close the tab. Renewly carries on reading your contracts in the background. For a batch, we email you when it is finished.

Rate limits

To keep the service fast and fair for everyone, there are some limits:

  • New contracts: up to 20 uploads per person per hour. This includes contracts added in a batch.
  • Batches: up to 5 batch uploads per hour, with 4 MB in total per batch.

Your plan also sets how many contracts you can keep in Renewly:

  • Free: 5 contracts.
  • Starter: 100 contracts included. Business: 500 included. On both, you can go over the included number and pay for each extra contract.
  • Enterprise: limits are agreed to fit the size of your portfolio.

See the pricing page for current prices.

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