Change or reset the template

An inspection is created from a snapshot of the chosen template. This structure (sections, subsections, pre-filled content of Document-type subsections) is then frozen for that specific inspection. Lumos protects your data by avoiding conflicts between later template modifications and an ongoing inspection.

But there are cases where you want to switch an inspection to another template or reset the current structure. This page explains how, and especially why this operation is destructive.

Why the snapshot

Three reasons:

Consistency — while writing a report, the structure does not change under your feet. Your narratives stay where you placed them; subsections keep their fields.
Data safety — modifying the structure of an already-filled report would create inconsistencies (orphan narratives, missing fields, broken references). Lumos prevents this scenario by freezing the structure.
Team — on a team account, an inspector can modify the template for their next inspections without affecting work a colleague has already started.

Future inspections created after a template modification will take the updated snapshot. Existing inspections keep their original snapshot.

When to change or reset

Some legitimate scenarios:

You created the inspection with the wrong template (for example a Pre-purchase template for a new building that requires a Pre-handover template).
You modified the template in Settings significantly and want the ongoing inspection to adopt the new structure.
You want to start over on a poorly started inspection, for example after a test or a demo.

How to proceed

The option lives on the inspection’s General Information page, in the Inspection column, on the Report Template field.

Click this field to open the list of available templates. Select the one you want to use. A Reset button appears.

Resetting or changing the template wipes all inspection data: descriptive fields, narratives, photos attached to narratives, services, tools, people, custom content of Document-type subsections. The operation is irreversible.

The raw photos in the photo gallery and captures in To Review are not affected (they stay on the inspection), but their attachment to narratives disappears.

Before clicking, take time to:

Save what’s worth saving. If you wrote custom narratives you might reuse, save them in your bank (see Create a custom narrative).
Confirm the right new template. A second reset because of a template error costs double.
Pick the right time. A reset at end of day prevents the inspection from staying empty for long.

After the reset

The inspection restarts blank with the new template snapshot. You start over on structure, but:

The parent project is not affected.
The already-signed service agreement stays attached to the inspection.
The inspection number is preserved.
Photos in the gallery remain available to rebuild narratives.

If you only want to modify the template for future inspections

This is the usual case and there is no risk. Modify the template in Settings > Report Template. Your future inspections will benefit. See Customizing report templates.