Getting Started with the Dropbox Sign API Using Node.js

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In this blog post, we’ll dig into the Dropbox Sign API from the perspective of a Node.js developer.

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Building with the Dropbox Sign Node.js SDK

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Scenario:

Pretend you’re building an app that allows homeowners to auction short term rentals to guests during peak demand periods for that location, such as a college graduation, concert, or pro sports event. When an auction ends successfully, the homeowner and guest must both sign a rental agreement. Depending on the user experience you want to provide, there are multiple ways the Dropbox Sign API could facilitate signing.

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Sending a Signature Request for the Rental Agreement

In this scenario, both parties would receive a signature request for the rental agreement over email and complete the signature on the Dropbox Sign website. Read through the Signature Request Walkthrough for more information.

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Here are two different approaches to accomplish this:

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Signature Request using Files

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Signature Request using Templates

Use a Template to allow parties to sign the contract with their fields already pre-formatted.

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Since the rental agreement must be signed for each rental, using a template can create a faster signing experience for owners and guests with the required fields already inserted in the right places. Read through the Templates Walkthrough for more information.

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First, a template is created in the Dropbox Sign user interface:

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Embed eSignature Functionality in your Rental App

Pretend you want to keep users in your rental app and complete their signatures on that surface. The Dropbox Sign API allows you to create a seamless signing experience for your users by embedding the signature workflow directly into your app. Instead of building the workflow from scratch, you can now focus your efforts on customizing the workflow exactly the way you want it. With the Dropbox Sign API, you can let users do an assortment of tasks directly in your app, like sign documents with Embedded Signing, request signatures with Embedded Requesting, and create and edit templates with Embedded Templates. You can even White Label the entire signing flow with your own branding to make the experience completely seamless.

Developers building embedded flows will need to interact with the front end and back end of an app. Back end calls are made via the Dropbox Sign Node.js SDK and the corresponding links are embedded in an iFrame on the front end using the hellosign-embedded library. We’ll cover embedded flows in Node.js more in depth in a future blog post.

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Example uses:

1. You want users to sign the rental agreement from their user dashboards. You can use Embedded Signing to allow owners or guests to sign the rental agreement directly from your app.
2. Some owners have additional paperwork or would rather provide their own. They need to upload their documents, place fields, and send a signature request. If you build with Embedded Requesting, then owners can create and send signature requests from your app.

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Using the Node.js SDK to build with the Dropbox Sign API

For developers building with Dropbox Sign, the Dropbox Sign Node.js SDK is a great way to improve efficiency and speed up implementation. Whether you’re building for signature requests or embedded signing, the Node.js SDK offers quick access to Dropbox Sign API endpoints using built-in methods. The samples below can be a helpful way to get started.

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Embedded Samples:

Blog post: Embedded Requesting Workflows Using the Dropbox Sign and Dropbox APIs

Blog post: Embed a CLA Signing Page Using NodeJS with the Dropbox Sign and Github APIs

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To learn more about the Dropbox Sign API and start testing for free, visit Dropbox Sign’s Developer Portal