Troubleshooting: Desktop Report Writer Print, Upload, or Share the Report

Spending hours building a report only to hit a wall when printing or uploading? Let’s fix that. This guide tackles the most common issues when publishing and distributing reports in HomeGauge Desktop Report Writer.

Pictures or Text Run off the Page

Issue: Pictures or text in your report extend beyond the page's boundaries.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Oversized Image

   • Find the large picture
   • Use the Edit All Photos tool to resize it
   • Preview your report
     

2. Extra Spaces in Comments

   • Click Preview in the toolbar
   • In the Print Preview, scan for comments with blank trailing spaces
   • Edit and trim them down

3. Incompatible Display Settings

   • Find the HomeGauge 5 icon on your desktop.
   • Right-click it and select Properties
     
   • Click the Compatibility tab
   • Click Change high DPI settings
     
   • Check the box for Override high DPI scaling behavior
     
   • In the dropdown, choose System
   • Click OK, then Apply

Missing Sections in the Report

Issue: The main body of the report is missing.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

Fix 1: Print Settings

• Go to Print Document Settings
• Confirm that Report is checked
• Need help? See:  Desktop Report Writer: Add, Edit, or Delete Print or Upload Document Settings

Fix 2: Data Folder Issue

• Mac: See Desktop Report Writer: Installing on a Mac Computer
• Windows: Avoid special characters (like apostrophes) in usernames.
  • Move the HomeGauge folder to your computer's C: drive.
  • See: Desktop Report Writer: Locating and Changing Data Folder Location.

Issue: The summary section is missing from your report.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

Fix 1: Print Settings

• Go to Print Document Settings
• Confirm that Report is checked
• Need help? See:  Desktop Report Writer: Add, Edit, or Delete Print or Upload Document Settings

Fix 2: Template Compatibility

If using an older template, reinstall the latest version of HomeGauge 5. See: Desktop Report Writer: Download, Install, and Activate

Unwanted White Space or Blank Pages

Issue: There are blank or empty pages between inspection items.

Fix: See this article Desktop Report Writer: PDF Space Between Pages

Upload Errors

ZIP Error

Missing Attachment

1. Click Template > All Attachments.
2. Look for any attachments highlighted in red.
3. Note them and close this screen
4. Go to Misc > Attachments
5. Click the paperclip symbol
6. Click any missing attachments, then click the red X to remove them.
   1. To replace the attachment, click the orange plus (+) and find the file
7. Click Save T

Missing Photo/Video

1. Click Preview and scroll through the report
2. Look for any empty boxes (missing media)
   
3. Note the inspection item number and close the preview
4. Locate that inspection item, and look for an empty gray box where a photo/video should be.
   
5. Left-click inside of the gray area, and select Delete Picture.
   
6. Retry the upload

If recovering a lost photo

• Go to Report > View Photo Locker
• Check if the image is still stored there
• If the report was created on Companion, check that version and re-transfer

Cloud Backup Interference

Disable programs like Carbonite, Dropbox, or OneDrive during uploads or schedule backups for non-working hours.

PDF Form Issue

1. Add a new form to the report (click here for instructions)
2. Click Remove Picture next to each placeholder
3. Click Set Defaults from Current
4. Complete and use this form instead
5. Delete old version of the form from the report

Special Characters in Report

Check and remove any non-standard characters like ½, curly quotes, smart dashes, etc.

1. Check the Report ID
2. Check the Address
3. Check each comment, picture label, extra info field

Uploaded Report Has Missing Photos

Issue: Uploaded report shows broken links where pictures should be.

Cause: An attached file name contains invalid characters

Fix:

1. Open the report
2. Go to Misc > Attachments
   
   
3. Delete any attachments with non-standard punctuation
4. Find the file on your PC, right-click, and rename it manually
   
5. Re-add the document to Attachments
6. Re-upload the report 

Uploading or Accessing Dashboard Does Nothing

No Internet Connection 

Verify your computer is connected to the internet and troubleshoot as needed.

Internet Explorer Certificate Settings

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced
3. Under Security, uncheck Check for server certificate revocation
4. Restart your computer

No Color and Pictures All Left-Aligned on Printed Report

This is an advanced operation for experienced computer users. If unsure, contact Support.

1. On your PC's taskbar, click the Start button or search bar, and search for regedit.exe
2. In the left column, click HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, then click .css
3. In the right column, double-click Content Type
4. In the dialog box, change value data to text/css
5. Click OK
6. Close the window