Scroll down to the following numbered topics:
- Receiving the Template
- Making a copy
- Using as a Template or a Library
- Blue and Grey Title Font
- Deleting and Undeleting Sections and Items
- Reminder Window Content
- Finding Narratives Quickly
- Transferring narratives, Items, or Sections between templates
1. RECEIVING THE TEMPLATE
Look for INL Residential Narrative Library 2.1 under “My Templates” in the Template Editor of your copy of Spectora.
Because of its size, the template is slow to open the first time. After that, it will open at normal speed.
If you Switch Software
For those who decide to change software, my Template Replacement and Substitution policy is listed at the bottom of Residential Templates in the menu at the top of my webpage.
You have 90 days from the date of purchase for a free replacement.
2. MAKING A COPY!
First, I suggest that you make a safety copy and give it a slightly different name. That way, if you have deleted something you later wish you hadn't, you'll still have it! Bear in mind that you can typically undelete Sections and Items (see #5 below).
3. USE as a TEMPLATE or a LIBRARY
You can use InterNACHI Narrative Library template as your working template, or you may wish to continue using a Spectora template that you have already developed or spent time editing, and use the InterNACHI Narrative Library template as a source template, transferring Sections, Items, or narratives from it into your working (destination) template.
You’ll find instructions on how to transfer narratives from a source template to a destination template here.
4. BLUE and GREY TITLE FONT
Only titles with blue font will appear in the report. Quite a few Section and Item titles are in grey font so that the titles won't appear in the report with no information under them. Use the little pencil icon to the right of the title to open a selection box. In the upper right hand corner, select the down arrow and choose "Optional..." for grey font and "included..." for blue font. Photo explanation here.
5. DELETING and UNDELETING SECTIONS and ITEMS
A. To delete a SECTION or ITEM.
B. To undelete a SECTION or ITEM that you mistakenly deleted (while working in the Report Writer).
During an inspection, Sections and Items in blue font that an inspector doesn't want in the report can't be removed without stopping what you’re doing, leaving the Report Writer and going back to the Template Editor, optioning out what you want, and then creating a new inspection report.
6. REMINDER WINDOW CONTENT
In the Reminder windows (accessed using the pencil icons), this template has links to a large amount of reference material!
For example, in the Template Editor:
- in the SECTIONS (left) column, select Roof.
- In the ITEMS (middle) column, mouse over Asphalt Shingle and select the small pencil icon that appears just to the right of the Asphalt Shingle title.
- When you select a link, four icons will appear, choose the one on the left (box with an arrow pointing to the top right corner) and you'll be taken to that location in a separate window.
Reference info
In a few Reminder windows, you’ll find information instead of links.
If in some Items (typically the REFERENCE Items) you find no narratives, check the pencil icon for Reminder notes.
7. FINDING NARRATIVES QUICKLY
SEARCH FEATURE
Spectora has a search feature that will help you find narratives quickly. You’ll find it in the Report Writer (not in the template editor).
Using the search feature is key to finding narratives quickly!
Narratives are (roughly) in alphabetical order, so if you select Roof, Asphalt Shingles, the narratives under DEFICIENCIES will start with Batch problems, Biological growth, Blisters, Bonding, Cap shingles, etc.
Once you use the template a bit, you’ll be able to find narratives quickly.
BUT… you should use the search feature instead of scrolling.
8. TRANSFERRING NARRATIVES BETWEEN TEMPLATES
This is your "Source" template. You will move the information to your "Destination" template.
1. Select the narrative(s), Item, or Section you want to move. With narratives, you can use "Select All" and then unselect a few that you don't want, or you can select just a few (they can be scatter3d in teh column).
2. If you want the source template to retain the information, use the Duplicate icon and the information will be copied and sent to the destination template you choose.
Use the down arrows to lee a list from which to choose a template, section, or Item.
Select a destination template from the drop down list, and then do the same for the Section and Item rows.
If you have questions about this template, please contact me and not Spectora.
kenton@internachi.org (720) 646-8724