> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://codifi-fdm.gitbook.io/codifi-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://codifi-fdm.gitbook.io/codifi-docs/frequently-asked-questions/report-authors.md).

# FAQ for Report Authors

Questions about authoring custom Word and Excel report templates.

> Looking for something not here? See the [**main FAQ**](/codifi-docs/frequently-asked-questions/faq.md) or [**Report Tag Conventions**](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions.md).

***

### What's the difference between an Excel and a Word report template?

**Short answer:** Both use the same tag syntax. Excel is best for tabular output (one row per Record, summary statistics, pivot-style aggregates). Word is best for narrative or per-Record documentation with mixed media and prose.

**See:** [Introduction to Word and Excel Custom Reports](/codifi-docs/reports/introduction-to-word-and-excel-custom-reports.md)

***

### How do I loop over all Records of a given archetype?

**Short answer:** Use a **collection tag** that iterates the Records list. You can filter by archetype and apply ordering.

**See:** [Collections](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/collections.md) · [Records](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/report-tags-and-properties/records.md)

***

### How do I conditionally include a section only when a value is present?

**Short answer:** Wrap the section in a conditional tag that tests the field's presence.

**See:** [Functions, Operations, Comparisons](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/functions-operations-comparisons.md)

***

### How do I include photos in a report?

**Short answer:** Use media tags. You can control sizing, orientation, and captions, and you can filter to just photos with a specific subtype.

**See:** [Media](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/report-tags-and-properties/media.md) · [Image Modes](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/report-tags-and-properties/media/image-modes.md)

***

### My tag isn't rendering — it's showing the literal text.

**Short answer:** Check syntax (tags are case- and bracket-sensitive), check that the field/property name matches the Composition exactly, and check the nesting level — some tags only work inside specific parent collections.

**See:** [Troubleshooting Tips](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/troubleshooting-tips.md)

***

### Are there sample templates I can start from?

**Short answer:** Yes. Sample templates are available as a starting point for common report shapes.

**See:** [Sample Report Templates](/codifi-docs/reports/sample-report-templates.md)

***

## New in v3.3

### How do I print the direction a photo was facing?

**Short answer:** `{{medias.imageDirection}}` with a converter on the end. `.toString` for degrees, `.toCardinal` for `N`, `.toOctant` for `NE`, `.toHexadecant` for `NNE`. Photo captions that used to be typed by hand now build themselves.

**Watch out:** photos imported from the photo library, or taken before v3.3, have no bearing recorded and print nothing. Wrap the clause in a conditional or the caption reads "view to the" and stops.

**See:** [Media Metadata](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/report-tags-and-properties/media-metadata.md)

***

### How do I get UTM coordinates into a report without transcribing them?

**Short answer:** `{{locations.toUtm}}` gives the full reference, and `{{locations.toUTMZone}}`, `{{locations.toUTMEasting}}`, and `{{locations.toUTMNorthing}}` give the parts separately. Add `.toStringFormat(F0)` to easting and northing to round to whole meters, which is what most agency forms want.

**See:** [Media Metadata](/codifi-docs/reports/report-tag-conventions/report-tags-and-properties/media-metadata.md)

***

### A photo in my report says "Image cannot be loaded" and lists a set of decoders.

**Short answer:** That was a HEIC decoding bug, fixed in v3.3. Re-generate the report and the photo renders. Nothing needs re-uploading and no template change is required.

**Why it looked random:** report generation prefers a photo's JPEG thumbnail, so only photos without one ever hit the failure.

**See:** [Known Issue: HEIC photos fail in reports](/codifi-docs/known-issues-and-edge-cases/known-issues/heic-photos-fail-in-reports.md)