Sections and sub-sections
The building sections and sub-sections form the backbone of the template. This page describes how to create them, reorder them, delete them, and the important distinction between the two types of sections.
Two types of sections
Lumos distinguishes two types of sections, identifiable by their icon in the sidebar:
Sections with sub-sections (building icon)
Classic sections containing several sub-sections each corresponding to a building component. Examples in the BNQ template:
- Structural Components → Foundations, Floor slabs, Floors and floor joists, Load-bearing walls, etc.
- Plumbing → Water supply system, Drainage, Water heater, Laundry, etc.
- Roofing & cover → Roof covering, Roof drainage, Flashings and sealants, Penetrations, etc.
Each sub-section has its own rich editor (inspection status, elements, predefined narratives). See GR.5 to GR.8.
Narrative sections (page icon)
Sections without sub-sections containing a free text block, written in a bilingual rich editor. Used for context, introduction, signature pages. BNQ examples:
- Notice to Reader (at report start)
- Items to Consider
- Inspector’s Certificate
- Conclusion (at report end)
The content of a narrative section is free text with dynamic variables ({{ Property Address }}, {{ Inspection Date }}, etc.). See GR.4.
Add a section
In the left sidebar, two controls at the top:
+ Add a section
Creates a section with sub-sections (building icon). Use to add a major component category (e.g. Safety, Plumbing, Roofing).
The new section appears at the bottom of the list with a default name. Click it to open its editor and rename (FR + EN). You can then add sub-sections.
The small page icon — Add a text block
Small page-shaped icon to the right of the + Add a section button. Click opens an Add a text block menu with 5 options:
- Introduction — pre-written template for an introduction page at the start of the report.
- Inspector’s Certificate — attestation page template with your identity and license.
- Items to Consider — recap page template for points outside the BNQ scope.
- Conclusion — report closing page template.
- Blank text block — empty narrative page, no template. Use when you want to create a custom narrative section (Methodology, Particular Warnings, etc.).
The first 4 templates provide starter text that you can adjust. The blank block is ready to receive your writing from scratch.
All these options create a narrative section (page icon in the sidebar) with a bilingual rich editor. See GR.4 for editing details.
Add a sub-section
A section with sub-sections offers two paths:
From the sidebar
Hover a section in the tree, its chevron lets you expand/collapse. Next to it, a + button appears to add a sub-section directly.
From the section editor
- Click the section in the sidebar.
- In the main view, below the metadata block, you see the list of sub-sections.
- Click + Add a sub-section at the top right of this list.
- A new sub-section appears with a default name, ready to edit.
Reorder
Three methods:
Sidebar drag & drop
Grab the drag handle (left of the row in the sidebar) and drag the section or sub-section to its new position. Lumos handles the rearrangement automatically.
This method works for main sections and sub-sections.
Hover arrows
On hover of a row in the sidebar, ↑ and ↓ arrows appear on the right. Click to move the section one step. More precise for small adjustments than drag & drop.
Reorder sub-sections from the section view
When you click a section in the sidebar, the main view shows its sub-sections as cards. You can also drag & drop them directly there.
Rename
Click the section or sub-section to rename. In the main view, modify the Name (FR) and Name (EN) fields. Saving is manual (Save button).
The Auto Translation button in the header can generate the EN version automatically from the FR (or inverse). Useful when renaming several items at once.
Delete
Two paths:
From the sidebar
On hover of a row, the 🗑 icon appears on the right. Click to delete.
From the editor
When on the editor of a section or sub-section, the red 🗑 Delete the section (or “Delete the sub-section”) button is at the top right of the main view.
Deletion is immediate in the interface but reversible before save. As long as you haven’t clicked Save, you can use Cancel to recover the section. Once saved, deletion is final (except re-import from a previous YAML export).
Practical recommendations
- Work on a copy, not the system template. Always duplicate before modifying (see GR.1).
- Save after each major batch of changes rather than once at the end. Reduces the risk of losing work if you close the tab inadvertently.
- Export to YAML as a backup before major structural modifications (deletion of entire sections, tree refactoring).
- Rename in FR first, then use Auto Translation for the EN version. Faster than typing both manually.
- For reorganizing large blocks, sidebar drag & drop is more efficient than arrows one by one.