Overview
Chapters are system-defined sections used in the Report Body of the PDF Composer to display structured and Work Order data.
Unlike components, chapters automatically pull data from the system and render it in predefined layouts such as tables or grouped sections.
This article explains:
What chapters are
How they differ from components
Available chapter types
What is configurable and what is not
Important limitations and best practices
What are Chapters?
Chapters are prebuilt report sections used to display Work Order–related data in the PDF.
Examples include:
Work Instructions
Equipment
Used Parts
Worked Hours
Forms
Pictures
Sub Work Orders
Chapters are data-driven and appear only when relevant data exists.
Chapters can be added only in the Report Body They cannot be placed in Report Header or in Report Footer
Chapter (Report Body)
Definition:
Chapters are used to insert structured sections into the service report.
Each chapter automatically displays a set of related data in a readable format, so it is useful for service reports where you have detailed job information.
Chapters are normally added in the Report Body.
(1) Chapter
Definition:
The Chapter is the base building block used inside the Report Body. It creates a section container that helps organise the report.
When you add a Chapter to the Report Body, a new section is created with a title and a content area below it.
What this chapter does
Creates a new section in the PDF
Adds a title or heading
Helps separate content clearly
Improves readability of long reports
This chapter does not pull data by itself. It is mainly used for structure and layout.
How to add Chapter
Click on pencil icon in the button right corner of the Report body
Select chapter from the list
Fill the details
Chapter settings (from the configuration screen)
From the Chapter settings screen, you can configure:
Start in New Page - Starts this chapter on a new page in the PDF
Columns - Defines how many columns the chapter content will have
Title - The chapter heading text (supports multiple languages)
Hide Title - Use this if you want the section without a visible heading
Title Label Style - Controls the visual style of the chapter heading
Background - Optional background colour for the chapter section
Chapter – Example Explanation
When you add a Chapter to the Report Body, a new section is created with a title and a content area below it.
In the example below:
The chapter title is “Chapter – 1”
The title appears clearly at the top of the section
Everything added inside this chapter will appear under this heading in the final PDF
How the Chapter appears in the Report Body
Once saved, the chapter appears in the Report Body as:
A visible title (if not hidden)
A content area divided into columns
Controls to manage layout and placement
You can also choose whether the chapter is:
Displayed in main WO
Displayed in sub-WO
Adding content inside a Chapter
Inside the chapter, you will see a + (Add component) icon.
Using this + icon, you can add components such as:
Label
Free text area
Field
Label and Field
Image
Signatures (Customer / Technician)
Logos
These components were explained earlier and can now be placed inside the chapter layout. Learn more on Components
Components added using the + icon will appear inside the chapter and follow the column structure you defined.
How it appears in the final PDF
In the final PDF:
The chapter title appears as a clear section heading
All components added inside the chapter are shown below it
Simple takeaway
A Chapter creates a section in the report. The + icon inside the chapter is used to add components, which are then displayed under the chapter title in the final PDF.
(2) Work Instructions
Definition:
These are the checklists added in a Work Order for the technician to follow and fill during the job. For example: checks, actions, remarks, status, etc.
When you add the Work Instructions chapter in the PDF Composer, the PDF will show whatever the technician has filled in those Work Instructions.
What this chapter does
When the Work Instructions chapter is added to the WO Service Report:
It collects only Standard and Custom Work Instructions
For each applicable WI, it displays:
The Work Instruction name (based on the document language)
The selected result (for example: OK, Not OK, Replaced)
Any additional comments or remarks entered by the technician
Other WI-specific inputs
All this information is shown together in a single, tabular block under the Work Instructions chapter.
How to add the Work Instructions
Click the pencil (edit) icon next to Report Body
In the Chapter type list, select Work Instructions
The Work Instructions configuration screen will open
Fill the Chapter Details
Title: Enter a name like Work Instructions (multi-language supported)
Start in new page: Optional
Title label style / Background: Optional, for look and feel
Check the Preview at the bottom
Click Save
Fixed layout behaviour (important)
The Work Instructions chapter has a fixed, system-defined layout.
This means:
WI name, result, and comments are shown together
The layout cannot be changed
What you can and cannot control
You can control:
Whether the Work Instructions chapter is shown
Chapter title and language
Title style and background
Page breaks
Column order (via drag & drop)
Column visibility (remove only)
Duplication of the chapter
You cannot control:
Placement of WI results (OK / Not OK / Replaced)
Placement of additional comments
Reusing WI fields elsewhere
Showing WI names for non-standard WI types
Adding new columns
Changing the data source
(3) Work Order Planning
Definition:
The Work Order Planning chapter is a system-defined chapter available in the Report Body of the PDF Composer.
It is used to show planning-related information of the work order, mainly around dates, scheduling, and assigned resources.
What this chapter does
When you add the Work Order Planning chapter:
The system reads the planning records from the work order
It displays planning entries in a tabular format
Each row typically shows:
Technician
From date & time
To date & time
Picture (technician profile picture, if available)
If multiple planning entries exist, all of them are listed one below the other.
How to add Work Order Planning
Click the pencil (edit) icon
Choose Work Order Planning
The chapter configuration screen will open (as shown in screenshots).
Fill the data. Choose if you want background colour (optional)
After filling these data and options, click Save.
Chapter configuration options
Start in New Page
Optional
Enable if you want the planning section to begin on a new page
Title
Enter the chapter title (for example: Work Order Planning)
Supports multiple languages (EN, DE, ES, FR, NL)
Option to Hide Title if required
Title Label Style
Controls the style of the chapter heading
Common choice: Chapter Header
Background
Optional background colour for the chapter title area
Header Style: Controls the style and colour of the table header row.
Header Background: Affects column headings like Technician, From, To, Picture.
Label Style: Controls how the row values are displayed (example: technician name)
Preview: Shows a live preview of how the Work Order Planning section will look in the PDF.
What you can control
You can control:
Whether the Work Order Planning chapter is shown
Chapter title and its language
Title style and background colour
Table header style and background
Whether it starts on a new page
Remove columns
Change the order of columns
What you cannot control
You cannot:
Select individual planning fields
Add columns
Change the layout from tabular to another format
This behaviour is fixed by the product.
How it appears in the final PDF
Appears as a clearly separated section
Shows planning entries in a table
Lists all technicians with pictures (if available) and time slots linked to the work order
Automatically hidden if no data exists
Simple takeaway
Work Order Planning chapter shows who was planned, and when. It is useful for transparency, but not meant for custom reporting layouts.
(4) Equipment
Definition:
The Equipment chapter is a system-defined chapter available in the Report Body of the PDF Composer.
It is used to display equipment-related information linked to the Work Order in a structured, tabular format.
This chapter is typically used to show:
Which equipment or installation was serviced
Identification details such as serial number or barcode
Service-related metadata linked to the equipment
What the Equipment chapter does:
When added to the WO Service report, the Equipment chapter:
Reads equipment records linked to the work order
Displays them in a table layout
Shows one row per equipment record
Automatically hides itself if no equipment data exists
The chapter is designed for clear reporting, not for free layout design.
How to add the Equipment chapter
Click the pencil (edit) icon
From the chapter list, select Equipment
The Equipment chapter configuration screen opens (as shown in screenshot below)
Configure the required options and click Save
Once saved, the Equipment chapter appears in the Report Body.
Chapter configuration options
Within the Equipment chapter configuration, you can control:
Start in New Page: Starts the Equipment section on a new page in the PDF
Title
You can name the chapter as per your choice
Multi-language titles are supported (EN, DE, ES, FR, NL)
Example:
Equipment
Installed Equipment
Serviced Assets
Hide Title: Hide the chapter heading if a visible title is not required
Title Label Style: Controls how the chapter title appears (e.g. Page Header, Chapter Header)
Background: Optional background colour for the title area
Header Style & Header Background: Controls the style and appearance of the table header row
Label Style: Controls how row values are displayed in the table
A live Preview is shown at the bottom of the configuration screen.
Data shown in the Equipment chapter
The Equipment chapter displays equipment-related fields in a table format.
Common columns include (depending on system setup):
Installation name / reference
Equipment type
Serial number
Barcode
Technician
Technician remarks
Work order reference
Service status
Service date
Service type
The column structure is system-defined and cannot be freely redesigned.
Handling large amounts of data (important)
If the Equipment table becomes too wide or too long and affects readability:
You can use the Copy (duplicate) icon on the chapter
This allows you to create two or more Equipment tables
Each table can be positioned separately in the Report Body
Useful when:
There are many columns
There are many equipment records
You want to split content across pages for better readability
What you can and cannot control
You can control:
Whether the Equipment chapter is shown
Chapter title and language
Visual styles (title, header, labels, background)
Page breaks
Removing columns with cross icons
Duplication of the chapter for layout purposes
Move column
You cannot control:
Individual field selection
Column order
Adding columns
Changing the table into a non-tabular layout
Simple takeaway
The Equipment chapter is the standard way to present equipment data in the WO Service report.
You can rename it, style it, and duplicate it for layout reasons — but the data structure itself is fixed.
(5) Work Order Used Parts
Definition:
The Work Order Used Parts chapter is a system-defined chapter available in the Report Body of the PDF Composer.
It is used to display all parts used or registered during the execution of a work order.
This chapter provides transparency on:
Materials used during service
Quantities and pricing
Approval and warranty-related information (if applicable)
What the Work Order Used Parts chapter does
When added to the WO Service report, this chapter:
Reads used parts data registered on the work order
Displays the data in a tabular format
Shows one row per used-part entry
Automatically calculates totals where applicable
Hides itself automatically if no used parts data exists
This chapter is purely for reporting and reflects what was actually used during service.
How to add the "Work Order Used Parts"
Click the pencil (edit) icon
From the chapter list, select Work Order Used Parts
The chapter configuration screen opens
Configure the required options and click Save
Once saved, the Used Parts chapter appears in the Report Body.
Chapter configuration options:
You can configure the following options for the Work Order Used Parts chapter:
Start in New Page: Starts the Used Parts section on a new page in the PDF
Title
Can be renamed as per your choice
Supports multiple languages (EN, DE, ES, FR, NL)
Examples: Used Parts, Consumed Materials, Spare Parts Used
Hide Title: Hides the chapter title if not required
Title Label Style: Controls how the chapter title appears (Page Header, Chapter Header, etc.)
Background: Optional background colour for the title area
Header Style & Header Background: Controls the appearance of the table header row
Label Style: Controls how row values are displayed
A Preview section is shown at the bottom of the configuration screen to validate the layout before saving.
Data shown in the Used Parts chapter
The Work Order Used Parts chapter displays part-related information in a table.
Typical columns include (system-defined):
Code
Name
Description
Unit of Measure
Price
Ordered Quantity
Used Quantity
Total
Stock Location
Purchase Order / Approval reference
Serial Number
Warranty
The exact columns depend on system configuration, but the structure remains tabular and fixed.
Handling large or wide tables
If the Used Parts table becomes too wide or too long for a single section:
Use the Copy (duplicate) icon on the chapter
Create two or more Used Parts tables
Place them in different positions or pages in the Report Body
This helps improve readability and does not overwrite data — it simply repeats the same dataset in multiple tables.
What you can and cannot control
You can control:
Whether the Used Parts chapter is shown
Chapter title and language
Title, header, and label styles
Page breaks
Column order (via drag & drop)
Column visibility (remove only)
Duplication of the chapter
You cannot control:
Adding new columns
Changing the data source
Reusing used-part fields as normal Field Group fields
Changing the table into a non-tabular layout
Simple takeaway
The Work Order Used Parts chapter is the standard way to present used materials in the WO Service Report.
You can rename it, style it, reorder or hide columns, and duplicate it for layout reasons — but the data structure itself is fixed.
(6) Work Order Worked Hours
Definition
The Work Order Worked Hours chapter is a system-defined chapter available in the Report Body of the PDF Composer.
It is used to display billable time entries recorded by technicians during the execution of a work order.
This chapter provides transparency on:
When work was performed
Who performed the work
How many hours were worked
Cost-related information (hourly rate, totals, approvals)
What the Work Order Worked Hours chapter does
When added to the WO Approval PDF, this chapter:
Reads worked hours entries from the work order
Displays them in a tabular format
Shows one row per entry
Calculates row totals and overall totals
Automatically hides itself if no worked hours data exists
This chapter is intended for labour reporting.
How to add the Work Order Worked Hours chapter
Click the pencil (edit) icon
From the chapter list, select Work Order Worked Hours
The chapter configuration screen opens
Configure the required options and click Save
Once saved, the Work Order Worked Hours chapter appears in the Report Body.
Chapter configuration options
You can configure the following options:
Start in New Page: Starts the Worked Hours section on a new page
Title
Can be renamed as per your choice
Supports multiple languages (EN, DE, ES, FR, NL)
Examples: Worked Hours, Labour Details, Service Time Registration
Hide Title: Hides the chapter title if not required
Title Label Style: Controls how the chapter title appears (Page Header, Chapter Header, etc.)
Background: Optional background colour for the title area
Header Style & Header Background: Controls the appearance of the table header row
Label Style: Controls how row values are displayed
A live Preview is available to validate the layout before saving.
Data shown in the Worked Hours chapter
The Work Order Worked Hours chapter displays labour-related data in a table.
Typical columns include (system-defined):
Date
From
To
Technician
Activity
Description
Hourly rate
Hours worked
Total
Approved date
Warranty
A Total row is shown at the bottom of the table when data exists.
The Work Order Worked Hours chapter allows additional components to be added below the table.
You can:
Click the plus (+) icon
Add components such as:
Label
Free Text Area
Field
Label and Field
Adding totals or summary fields (example)
A common use case is to display a Grand Total below the table:
Click the + (Add component) icon
Select Label and Field (for example)
Choose:
Field Group: Work order worked hours
Field: Grand Total
Enter a text (e.g. Grand Total)
Choose style Labeled Field
Click Save
This value appears below the table, clearly separated from the row-level totals.
Handling large or complex data
If the Worked Hours table becomes too long:
Use Start in New Page for better readability
Duplicate the chapter using the Copy icon if needed
Add summary fields (like Grand Total) instead of repeating tables
What you can and cannot control
You can control:
Whether the Worked Hours chapter is shown
Chapter title and language
Visual styles (title, header, labels)
Page breaks
Column order (drag & drop)
Column visibility (remove)
Adding components (via + icon)
You cannot control:
Adding new worked-hours columns
Changing the data source
Changing the table layout from tabular
Reusing individual row fields as Field Group fields
Simple takeaway
The Work Order Worked Hours chapter is the standard way to present labour and time registration data in the WO service report.
(7) Technician Remarks
Definition
The Technician Remarks chapter is a configurable chapter available in the Report Body of the PDF Composer.
It is used to display remarks, notes, and confirmation details entered by the technician on the work order.
What the Technician Remarks chapter does
When added to the WO Approval PDF, this chapter allows you to:
Display technician remarks
Show who entered the remark
Show when the remark was entered
Optionally include the technician picture
Fully control the layout using rows, columns, and components
The chapter is automatically hidden in the final PDF if no data is available.
How to add the Technician Remarks chapter
Click the pencil (edit) icon
From the chapter list, select Technician Remarks
The chapter configuration screen opens
Enter a Title (for example: Technician Remarks)
Select Title Label Style (e.g. Label or Chapter Header)
Click Save
The Technician Remarks chapter now appears in the Report Body.
Chapter configuration options
You can configure:
Start in New Page: Starts the Technician Remarks section on a new page
Title
Can be renamed as per your choice
Supports multiple languages (EN, DE, ES, FR, NL)
Example titles: Technician Remarks, Service Notes, Technician Comments
Hide Title: Hides the chapter title if not required
Title Label Style: Controls how the chapter title appears
Background: Optional background colour for the title area
A Preview is shown before saving.
Adding content inside the Technician Remarks chapter
After saving the chapter:
Hover inside the chapter content area
Click the + (Add component) icon
Choose one of the available components:
Label
Free Text Area
Field
Label and Field
Technician Picture
Recommended approach: Label and Field
The most common and recommended setup is to use Label and Field components.
Example fields you can add
From the Technician Remarks field group, you can select:
Date: Displays when the remark was entered
Remark: Displays the technician’s entered remark
Technician: Displays the technician name
Each field:
Can have a custom label
Supports multiple languages
Can be styled using Labeled Field for clean output
Example layout (common setup)
A typical Technician Remarks section contains:
Remark: Technician-entered text
Technician: Technician name
Date: Remark date and time
Technician Picture
This provides a clear, customer-friendly summary.
Layout flexibility
Inside this chapter, you can:
Add multiple rows and columns
Resize columns
Move components using the hand icon
Remove components using the cross (×) icon
Combine text and fields freely
This makes Technician Remarks ideal for summary-style reporting.
What you can and cannot control
You can control:
Chapter title and language
Layout (rows, columns, positioning)
Which fields are shown
Styling of labels and values
Whether the chapter appears in main WO or sub-WO
Inclusion of technician picture
(8) Equipment Log
Definition:
The Equipment Logs chapter is used to display equipment-related log or reference information in a flexible, layout-controlled manner using components.
This chapter is component-based, giving you control over what fields are shown and how they are arranged.
What the Equipment Logs chapter does
When added to the WO Service Report this chapter allows you to:
Display equipment or work-order–related reference data
Build a clean, readable layout using Label and Field
Control columns, spacing, and positioning
Show or hide the section automatically based on data availability
How to add the Equipment Logs chapter
Click the pencil (edit) icon
From the chapter list, select Equipment log
Configure the chapter:
Title (can be renamed, multi-language supported)
Example: Equipment Logs
Start in new page (optional)
Title Label Style (e.g. Page Header)
Background (optional)
Click Save
Default layout behaviour
By default, the chapter is created with three columns
These columns are layout containers, not fixed data columns
You can freely customize them
Managing columns and layout
Inside the Equipment Logs chapter, you can:
Add more rows or columns using the plus (+) icon
Remove columns or rows using the cross (×) icon
Move components using the hand icon
Resize columns by dragging
Adjust alignment and spacing as needed
The number of columns and rows is fully flexible and can be adapted per requirement.
Adding content (recommended approach)
Use Label and Field (recommended)
This is the preferred way to populate the Equipment Logs chapter.
Steps:
Inside the chapter, click + (Add component)
Select Label and Field
Choose:
Field (e.g. Work order reference or any available field)
Text (Label) – custom label (multi-language supported)
Style – typically Labeled Field
Review the preview
Click Save
Example output:
What you can add inside this chapter
Available components include:
Label
Free Text Area
Field
Label and Field (most commonly used)
Technician Picture (if needed)
You can add multiple components by clicking the plus (+) icon repeatedly.
What you can and cannot control
You can control
Chapter title and language
Number of columns and rows
Layout and positioning
Which fields are displayed
Styling of labels and values
Whether the chapter appears in main WO or sub-WO
Best practice
Use Equipment Logs for:
Reference information
Equipment-related identifiers
Clean, structured display using Label and Field
Keep this chapter simple and readable
Simple takeaway
The Equipment Logs chapter is a flexible, component-based reporting section.
You start with a default three-column layout, then:
Add or remove columns as needed
Populate it using Label and Field
Fully control layout and presentation
It is ideal for structured reference information that does not fit into fixed system tables.
(9) Forms
Definition
The Forms chapter is a system-defined chapter in the Report Body used to display technician-filled forms in the PDF.
Note: How to create forms is explained in the form builder article.
Forms will be displayed in report body. If more than one, they will be displayed one after the other. The layout of the form is defined in the PDF layout of the form itself (see setting “Work orders → TAB Forms”).
What the Forms chapter does:
When added to the WO Service Report:
Displays all applicable forms filled on the Work Order
If more than one form exists, they are displayed one after the other
Uses the PDF layout defined inside each form’s configuration
The Forms chapter does not control the internal layout of the form.
How to add the Forms chapter:
Click the pencil (edit) icon
Select Forms
Configure:
Title (can be renamed, multi-language supported)
Start in new page (optional)
Title Label Style (optional)
Click Save
Default behavior
Forms appear below the chapter title
Multiple forms are shown sequentially
The preview text explains this behaviour
Empty Forms chapters are hidden automatically
Adding additional information (optional)
Although the form content itself is fixed, you can add extra layout elements above the forms.
By default:
The chapter starts with one row
You can add extra rows/columns using the plus (+) icon
Columns can be resized, moved, or removed
Layout design is entirely your choice.
Recommended approach: use Label and Field
Use Label and Field components to show form metadata.
Common fields
1. Report Name
Purpose: Displays the name of the generated form report
Example: Report Name: Job Report
2. Created By
Purpose: Shows who created or submitted the form
Example: Created By: Technician
3. Created On
Purpose: Shows the date the form was created or submitted
Example: Created on: 30/06/2014
Each field:
Supports multi-language labels
Is best displayed using Labeled Field style
Can be aligned in separate columns for clarity
What you can and cannot control
You can control
Chapter title and language
Page breaks
Layout above the forms (columns, labels, fields)
Which metadata fields are shown
Styling of labels and values
You cannot control
The layout of the form itself
All form layout changes must be done in Work orders → TAB Forms.
Simple takeaway
The Forms chapter displays form output, not form structure. Form appearance is defined in the form’s own PDF layout, while the Composer controls only where and how the form is placed in the report.
(10) Files
Definition
The Files chapter is a system-defined chapter in the Report Body used to display pictures uploaded on the Work Order.
What the Files chapter does:
When added to the WO Service Report:
Displays pictures uploaded by technicians or users on the Work Order
Shows pictures in a grid layout
You can optionally display picture metadata (e.g., name, uploaded date)
Automatically hides itself if no pictures exist
How to add the Files chapter:
Click the pencil (edit) icon
Select Files
Configure:
Columns (number of pictures per row, e.g. 3)
Title (can be renamed, multi-language supported)
Title Label Style (e.g. Chapter Header)
Start in new page (optional)
Click Save
Columns behaviour (important)
Columns defines how many pictures appear per row
Example: 3 columns = 3 pictures per rowThis is a chapter-level setting and controls the grid layout
Adding Files details (Label and Field)
You can show metadata under each picture using Label and Field.
Available fields typically include:
File name
File description
Tags
Uploaded by
Uploaded on
How to add metadata under Files
Inside one File tile, click + (Add component)
Select Label and Field
Choose the field (e.g. File name)
Enter label text (multi-language supported)
Select Labeled Field style
Click Save
Important behaviour: changes apply to all columns
If you add or change metadata in one column/tile, the same change is applied to all Files tiles.
This is expected because:
You are configuring the template layout for how every Files is displayed
All Files tiles use the same design structure
Best practice
Use 3 columns for a clean and readable layout
Show at least:
Uploaded on
File name (if required for traceability)
Avoid adding too many metadata fields under each Files
Simple takeaway
The Files chapter displays pictures in a grid. You choose how many pictures per row using Columns, and any metadata layout you configure is applied consistently to all Files tiles.
(11) Sub Work Order
Definition:
The Sub Work Order chapter is a system-defined chapter in the Report Body used to display information from sub work orders linked to a main work order.
What the Sub Work Order chapter does:
When added to the WO Service Report:
Displays content coming from sub work orders
Groups data per sub work order
Shows chapters in the same order as configured in the main report
Automatically hides empty sections (for example, Used Parts, Worked Hours) if no data exists
Only chapters that are explicitly marked to be shown in sub work orders are displayed here.
Display behaviour (important)
Chapters are displayed:
In the same order as they appear in the main report
Repeated for each sub work order data
Grid-based chapters (e.g. Used Parts, Worked Hours, Equipment) are:
Shown only if they contain data
Hidden automatically if empty
If no sub work orders exist, the entire Sub Work Order section is hidden
What you can and cannot control
You can control
Which chapters appear in sub work orders (via Displayed in sub-WO)
The order of chapters (based on main report order)
Titles and styles of individual chapters
Whether chapters start on new pages
You cannot control
Custom grouping logic
Different layouts per sub work order
Selecting individual fields only for sub work orders
Displaying chapters in sub-WO that are not enabled
Simple takeaway
The Sub Work Order chapter is a container section that automatically lists selected chapters for each sub work order.
You control what appears by enabling Displayed in sub-WO on chapters—everything else is handled by the system.
Next?
Other articles related to communication options with your customers: