My Journey as an Indie Developer: Creating Sheet-to-Doc to Solve Document Generation Pain Points
Source: Dev.to
The Problem That Sparked It All
It all started in 2024 when I was working as a freelance developer. A client needed to generate hundreds of personalized contracts every month, copying data from Excel spreadsheets into Word templates manually. The process was tedious, error‑prone, and took days to complete.
Researching existing solutions revealed several limitations:
- Too expensive for small businesses
- Required uploading sensitive data to third‑party servers
- Steep learning curves
- Lacked flexibility for complex document templates
That’s when the idea for Sheet‑to‑Doc was born: an affordable, secure, easy‑to‑use tool flexible enough to handle various document‑generation needs.
Core Feature Sketch
- Local Processing – All data stays in the user’s browser or installed desktop environment for maximum privacy.
- Simple Interface – Intuitive design that anyone can master in minutes.
- Flexible Placeholder System – Easy‑to‑use
{placeholder}syntax for template creation. - Batch Processing – Generate hundreds of documents with one click.
- Multiple Data Formats – Excel, CSV, JSON, and more.
Development Journey
I chose to build Sheet‑to‑Doc as a web app so users wouldn’t need to download or install anything—they could just open it in their browser.
Challenges Overcome
- Word Manipulation in the Browser – After weeks of research, I found a reliable library capable of template merging while preserving formatting.
- Resource‑Intensive Batch Processing – Optimized the code to ensure smooth performance with large datasets and complex templates.
- Cross‑Browser Consistency – Conducted extensive testing and debugging to deliver a seamless experience across all major browsers.
Launch and Early Reception
The first version launched in January 2026. It offered a simple solution for automating document generation from Excel data and Word templates.
The response was overwhelming. Users praised the tool’s simplicity, security, and affordability, and many shared success stories and feature requests.
Feature Additions Driven by Users
- Image Insertion – Dynamically add images to documents.
- Loop Placeholders – Support repeating sections (e.g., invoice items).
- QR Code Generation – Automatically generate QR codes in documents.
- Custom Filenames – Name generated documents based on template data.
- Offline Desktop Version – For users who prefer a desktop application.
Impact on Small Businesses
Sheet‑to‑Doc empowers solopreneurs and small teams who can’t afford expensive enterprise software. Real‑world feedback includes:
- Reducing document‑generation time from 8 hours per week to 30 minutes.
- Eliminating costly errors that previously affected client relationships.
- Providing peace of mind with local processing, ensuring sensitive data never leaves the device.
Future Roadmap
- Enhanced Template Design Tools – Simplify creation of complex templates.
- Cloud Storage Integration – Save and load templates from Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
- API Access – Enable developers to integrate Sheet‑to‑Doc into their own workflows.
- Mobile App – Bring document generation to mobile devices.
- More Output Formats – Support PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, and other document types.
Lessons Learned
- Solve a Real Problem – Focus on a pain point you or others actually face.
- Start Small – Launch a minimum viable product and iterate based on feedback.
- Listen to Users – They tell you what features to build next.
- Prioritize Simplicity – Complexity hinders adoption.
- Be Patient – Building a successful product takes time and persistence.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Developing Sheet‑to‑Doc has taught me a lot about software development, user experience, and entrepreneurship. The most rewarding part is seeing users save time, reduce stress, and grow their businesses.
My commitment remains to the core principles of simplicity, security, affordability, and flexibility. I aim to make document generation accessible to everyone, regardless of technical skill or budget.
If you’re tired of manually creating repetitive documents, try Sheet‑to‑Doc today. Feedback and feature requests are always welcome—your input makes Sheet‑to‑Doc better every day.
Happy document generating!