Understanding and Using the Departures Table

The Departures Table (also known as an Issues List) is a new export option available in the Redline comparison viewer within Draftable Legal. This feature allows users to automatically generate a summarized table of key document changes, organized by clause, directly from their comparison results.

This export provides a concise, clause-based summary of the differences between two versions of a document, helping legal teams to quickly identify and discuss departures during contract negotiations.

What is a Departures Table?

The Departures Table output is a Microsoft Word document that lists all detected changes within a comparison, grouped under their relevant clause or subclause headings (e.g., “Clause 4(a)”). Each clause section contains:

• The clause reference number and heading
• The full clause text with redline markup showing insertions and deletions
• Optionally, additional formatting and content based on your organization’s Word template

This allows users to easily see how each clause has changed in context, without needing to manually extract and summarize changes from the full redline.

See the example below, here is the content from the first page of an example Redline: 

The equivalent departures table output looks like this:

Note the columns that are created for this table to make it easy to review and share with other team members.

1. Departure ID: Is the ID number of the change
2. Reference: Is the reference clause where the change was located
3. Proposed Departure: Is the departure (change) identified
4. Review notes: Is an example text field that users can collaborate on between team members
5. Commercial impact: Is another example text field that users can collaborate on between team members

The departure table itself is based on a editable template which can be curated to your teams needs, read further below for more information.  

Key Benefits

• Faster review: Eliminate the manual process of compiling clause-by-clause changes into a departures or issues list.
• Improved collaboration: Ideal for negotiation tables or internal review meetings.
• Customizable templates: Firms can apply their own Word template to standardize branding and structure.
• Works with existing workflows: Export the Departures Table through the same export options you already use in Draftable Legal.

Exporting a Departures Table

You can export a Departures Table from any Redline comparison using any of the export menu options.

Creating a Departures table as a file

1. Run a Redline Comparison

   • Load your two documents in the New Comparison window.
   • Select Redline in Draftable as your comparison type.
   • Click Compare.
2. Access the Export Menu

   • In the comparison viewer, access export options in either Open, Save or Email from the top ribbon menu. All of these include the Departures Table option. 

     
3. Select “Export Departures Table”

   • Choose Export Departures Table from the available export options.

     

   • By clicking the ‘pen’ icon, you can curate your departures table export, like changing the name of the file directly or changing what type of changes are included in the table.

     

     You have options to include all changes found in the Redline in the departures table, or only ones that match the change filter set within the comparison viewer. 

     Once you have finished configuring your table, hit either Save, Open or Email, depending on the export workflow you are following at the bottom of the export window.

     
4. (Optional) Apply only Matching Filters in the departures table

   • If you want only specific changes to be shown in your departures table, prior to creating the table ensure you have set filters in the change-list section (right-hand side of the Redline viewer) to curate the changes you want to be viewed in both the comparison and the departures table.

     

   • Once you have done this, you can proceed with the departures table export workflow.

Creating a Departures table within an email body

1. Run a Redline Comparison

   • Load your two documents in the New Comparison window.
   • Select Redline in Draftable as your comparison type.
   • Click Compare.
2. Access the Export Menu

   • In the comparison viewer, access the Email export options from the top ribbon menu.

     
3. Select “Export Departures Table” and switch to 'Email Body'

   • Choose Export Departures Table from the available export options. Clicking the ‘pen’ icon, you can reveal the ‘Format’ option, switch this to Email Body.

     

   • Hit ‘Email’ to finish creating the table at the bottom of the export window.

     
     - Note that the departures table is now included in your email:
     

Customising the Departures Table Template

Draftable Legal supports Word-based templating for Departures Tables, allowing firms to enforce consistent branding and document structure.

To set up a custom Departures Table template:

1. Create a standard Word (.dotx) file with your desired headers, footers, and table structure.

2. Configure placeholder styles and formatting for clause headings and redline content.

3. Distribute the template to your users or define it centrally via Group Policy or shared configuration.

We have a dedicated knowledge base article on how to do this process, see here: /hc/en-us/articles/46349329328281-How-to-configure-a-custom-Departures-Table-template

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export a Departures Table for Side-by-Side comparisons?

No. Departures Tables are currently available only for Redline comparison types.

Is the Departures Table included in Bulk Compare results?

Not at this time. Support for Bulk Compare Departures Tables is under consideration for a future release.

Can I use my own Microsoft Word template?

Yes. The Departures Table supports fully customizable Word templates to match your firm’s branding and structure, see the link above for configuraiton. 

I still need help. Where can I go?

If you require assistance setting up, using or configuring the Departures Table, please contact [e-mail] for guidance.