Managing your inspection reports is simple with Desktop Report Writer. Whether you're creating a new report, accessing an existing one, duplicating it, restoring a backup, or restoring a deleted report, our software has got you covered. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to perform these actions.

Start a New Report

1. Click the New button on the Report Tool Bar (it will look like a piece of paper), or click File > New Report.
   

Open an Existing Report

1. Click the Open button in the upper-left, or click File > Open Report.
2. Select the report you'd like to open, then click Open
   

Search for a Report

You can search for a report by typing in the box to find what you want. You can either search for all columns or pick a specific column.

1. Type Name, Date, Address, etc into the search box
2. Click Find Next to navigate to the search result

Make a Copy of an Existing Report

1. Click the Open button in the upper-left
2. Select the report you wish to copy
3. Click the Gear button
   
4. Click Create a Copy of the Selected Report. 
5. HomeGauge will then verify you want to make a copy; click Yes.
   
6. In your Open Report list, you will now have 2 identical reports. Select one and click Open.
   

Open a Backup of a Report

In the event that you can no longer open a report due to a problem such as a power outage, computer crash, or other device failure, your software keeps regular backups that will allow you to open the most recently saved version of a report.

1. Click the Open button
2. Select the report you'd like to restore to an earlier version
3. Click on the gear button and choose Open Backup for Selected Report
4. Click Yes for the message Do you want to open a backup copy of the selected report?
5. Each backup will have a date and time. It also has a number. Select the backup you want to restore and click OK.

Deleting a Report

1. Click the Open button.
2. Highlight the report you wish to delete.
3. Locate and click the Gear Button
4. Select Delete Selected Report(s).
   

Restore a Deleted Report

If you mistakenly delete a report, it will be in your recycle bin, assuming you have not since emptied it.

1. Go to your Recycle Bin and look for the report folder. The report folder name will match the Report ID you used when writing the report. If you didn't use a report ID, it will be a numbered folder such as 00000006.
2. Right-click on the report folder and select Restore.
3. Open Desktop Report Writer and click Open. If you do not see the restored report, click Refresh Database.