Quick Summary
Most of the article will cover some tips and tricks to help make the merge process easier and to prevent overwriting files during the process. The actual merge feature is easy to use but the steps you take before the merge will make the process much easier.
Quick Tip: Login using the same username and password on all mobile devices to upload the inspection files. This makes getting the inspection files onto one PC for finishing on desktop a lot easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation on Mobile for Tandem Inspections or Reinspection
Step 1: Ensure all devices have the same identical template loaded on them to create inspection files.
Step 2: Use different names for the inspection file on each device or create a file for a reinspection that is different from the original name. This prevents overwriting when uploading and downloading the inspection files.
Step 3: When inspections are complete upload your inspection files to the cloud from mobile on the sync tab as normal.
Merging the Files on HIP Desktop
Step 1: If all files are uploaded to the same username and password, download the files as you normally would from the Mobile Sync button on HIP Desktop. If different usernames were used, you will need to get all the files to one PC. (You can have the other inspector(s) send their inspection file via email after they download to their PC)
Step 2: Open the primary inspection file first. (This is usually the file that has the Client information filled out or has had the order information from HIP Office or ISN imported into the file.)
Step 3: In the top left corner of the HIP Desktop Application click File and then Import/Merge Another Inspection.
Step 4: Select the second file from the file chooser. You can repeat Step 3 and 4 as many times as needed for the number of secondary files you have.
Step 5: Once the merge is done, you should save your merged inspection file as a third name like address_merged so you have your final version and do not overwrite your original files.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
A Menu named Merged Inspection Shows after merge: This happens when the inspection files have different sections than one another. All of the sections with the same name will merge together into one section. Sections that are different will show in this new Menu. You can still edit as normal and can reorder the the Sections as needed in Report Settings->Section Colors and Print Order
FAQ
Is there a Limit to how many files can be combined? No. The trick is you can only combine 2 files at once. If you want to combine 3 files you would save the first merge as a new file and then open that file and merge the third. You can do this as many times as needed.
Will the Merge duplicate photos if they are the same in each inspection file? YES. Be wary of this. This would be a common issue for a reinspection that reuses an inspection file on mobile instead of creating a new fresh Inspection file.
Related Articles
Place holder: Using HIP Mobile, Reordering Sections
Contact Support
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (800) 750-4777, or you can email us at [email protected] or open a chat in the bottom right corner of our main website or HIP Office!