@purposeguy - This is a good use case for conditional routing.   If you know what fields are triggering the need enable the next signer.  Using Conditional Routing (docusign.com)

Thanks, this could indeed work.  I’d need to edit the conditional routing groups each time I used the template, but that’s not a problem.  The problem is that the need for conditional routing depends on something that doesn’t appear in the document.  It’s a sales agreement, so the field would be something like “number of owners”, which isn’t part of the legal language in the document.  Is it possible to create a field that gets filled in by signer #1 but that doesn’t appear on the document?  Then the rules for optional signing groups could trigger off that field without messing up the text given me by my lawyer.

An easier solution would be to create an additional signer type:  “needs to sign if filled in”, meaning that if a name and email address are provided for signer #2, then signer #2 must sign.  If no name and email address are filled in, then signer #2’s fields are ignored.  Conditional routing is a very complex solution to a simple problem.

Hi @purposeguy,

I hope you are doing well.

I would like to confirm if you were able to solve your issue by utilizing the solution that was suggested? 

If so, please mark it as the best answer by clicking “Select as Best” to make it easier for other users to find.

Otherwise, feel free to let me know and I will gladly help you address the situation as soon as possible.

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Alejandro R. | Docusign Community Moderator   

"Select as Best" below if you find the answer a valid solution to your issue!   

Well, no, the problem isn’t solved.  I asked a question to which I’d need the answer:  “Is it possible to create a field that gets filled in by signer #1 but that doesn’t appear on the document?”  This could provide a sort of workaround.  The real solution would be to change the coding so there can be optional signers.

@purposeguy

Every field will appear on the document, but you may add it in a way that it is not visible, by choosing white as the text color on white background. It will be present but not visible on the final document and can be set to required, e.g. a drop down with the values 1,2,4 that you position anywhere in the document, e.g. a corner. You need instruct signer #1 on how to use it, e.g. add a note field that will also be present but not part of the final document, like a sticky note.

Great, I like the white text solution.  With this and the optional signing groups, there’s at least the possibility that this could work.  I’m signer #1, so understanding how it works won’t be a problem.  I’ll give it a shot and update this thread.