Skip to main content

Create and Manage Draft Inspections Mobile App πŸ“πŸ“±

Sometimes you can’t finish an inspection in one go. Whether you're interrupted on-site or need to double-check a detail later, the Papertrail mobile app allows you to save your progress without submitting a final record.

Written by Michael Butler
Updated over a week ago

Note: The draft inspection feature is exclusive to the mobile application and is not available on the web version.

πŸ’Ύ Saving a Draft

When you are in the middle of a single or multiple inspection and need to pause:

  1. Tap Save at the bottom of the inspection window.

  2. Select Save draft.

What happens next?

  • Visual Indicators: A Draft icon will appear to the right of the record in the Folder view.

  • Record History: The draft will be noted in the record history so you know work is pending.

  • No Sync Yet: Drafts stay on your device until they are officially submitted.


πŸ”„ Continuing or Discarding a Draft

For Single Records

  1. Navigate to the record marked with the Draft icon.

  2. Tap Add Inspection (via the Record List or Record Detail).

  3. A prompt will appear asking if you want to:

    • Continue from draft: Pick up exactly where you left off.

    • Start over: Wipe the draft and begin a fresh inspection.

For Multiple Records

If you saved a bulk inspection as a draft:

  1. Select the records and tap Add Inspection.

  2. A yellow bar will appear at the top of the screen.

  3. Tap Choose to select:

    • Continue all: Resume the bulk inspection for all selected items.

    • Discard all: Remove the draft data for all selected items.


⚠️ Important Considerations

The "Locked" Inspection Date

The date an inspection is carried out cannot be changed. Even if you start a draft on Monday and submit it on Wednesday, the app automatically records the final submission date. This ensures data integrity and prevents backdating.

Syncing and Offline Work

If you are working offline, your drafts and submitted inspections will show as Pending on your Dashboard.

  • To sync: Re-connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

  • Check status: Tap Pending Updates on the Dashboard to see what is waiting to be uploaded to the server.
    ​

Did this answer your question?