TOPIC: How do you...

I am new to HIP and building my template.  I want to get advice from those that have experience.  My current report is a home-grown Word based system that takes forever to complete and it is time to move on.  However, I have a comment such as "The lights in the following locations did not work correctly:  ???; ???.  This could indicate a problem with the bulb or with the fixture.  The bulbs need to be replaced and the lights need to be tested.  If the lights still do not work properly, the lights need to be repaired/replaced by a licensed electrical contractor."  Then, I could just replace the question marks with locations and keep adding as I need.

What is the best way to put that into HIP?  Use lists is sequence together?  Or, leave question marks and edit the text?  Or ???  Do you do something similar?  What is the best/quickest way to make it work and get it done why onsite. 

Thanks for your help.

If there's only a few variations, right each narrative out in a separate line so that you only have one click to add it.

When you have more variations use lists. Don't bother with ??

Here's some examples of how I use my lists:

• The<<EXTERIOR COMPONENTS>> is at the end of its useful life.²
• There is<<LEVEL>><<GENERIC DEFECTS>> present at the<<LOCATIONS>><<ROOM LOC.>>.* ²
• There is evidence which may indicate active settling or movement at the<<LOCATIONS>><<EXTERIOR
COMPONENTS>>. This type of movement is usually due to improper drainage of water in the area of the
settling and should be monitored or corrected as needed.*
• A panel bond is not visible at the<<ROOM LOC.>><<ROOM LOC.>><<ELECTRICAL PANELS>>.² ³
• Circuit wiring is not properly labeled for its current use, i.e. hot=black, neutral=white. All wires not
being used for their designated purpose should be labeled to prevent accidental injury.² ³
• There are wires entering the<<ELECTRICAL PANELS>> which are not protected with a proper wire
clamp.² ³
• Main service conductors are too close to the window at the<<LOCATIONS>> side of the house.² ³

I also use four footnotes as a backup system of recommendations or sometimes as the recommendation themselves. The title of the lists pretty clearly indicates what is in it. As Dom said, some comments are used so frequently it is better to have them just written out and at the top of your comment list. The fewer clicks the better.

Oh, one more thing, put a space at the beginning of every item in your lists instead of inserting those spaces in your comment. That eliminates extra spaces in the finished report when you don't need to use every list in your comment.