Template Structure

The Hierarchy

Algus templates follow a strict three-tier hierarchy to keep long inspections organized and easy to navigate on mobile devices.

1. Pages (Top Level)
2. Sections (Middle Level)
3. Questions / Elements (Bottom Level)

1. Pages

Pages are the highest level of organization. Think of them as physical pages in a clipboard. On the mobile app, users must swipe left or right (or tap a "Next" button) to navigate between Pages.

Use Pages to separate major phases of an inspection (e.g., "Page 1: Pre-Start Check", "Page 2: Operations", "Page 3: Post-Shift Signoff").

• Every template must have at least one Page.
• To add a Page, click the + Add Page button at the bottom of the left sidebar.

2. Sections

Sections group related questions together within a single Page. They appear as distinct blocks or cards on the screen, often with a subtle background color or border to separate them.

Use Sections to group logically related items (e.g., within the "Pre-Start" Page, you might have sections for "Tires", "Engine", and "Cabin").

• A Page can contain multiple Sections.
• To add a Section, click the + Add Section button at the bottom of a Page in the left sidebar.
• Repeat Sections: You can configure a Section to be "Repeatable." This allows the inspector to add that block of questions multiple times during an inspection (e.g., a "Vehicle Damage" section that is repeated for every dent found).

3. Questions (Elements)

Questions are the actual data collection points. These are the text boxes, multiple-choice options, and photo upload buttons that the user interacts with.

• A Section can contain multiple Questions.
• To add a Question, click + Add Element within the center canvas while a Section is selected.
• See Question Types for a full list of available elements.

Reordering the Structure

You can easily reorganize your template using the left sidebar:

• Drag and Drop: Click and hold the drag handle (usually six dots) next to any Page, Section, or Question in the left sidebar, and drag it to a new location.
• You can drag a Question from one Section to another.
• You can drag a Section from one Page to another.

Best Practices for Mobile

Keep the mobile user experience in mind when structuring your templates:

• Avoid endlessly scrolling pages: Break long checklists into multiple Pages.
• Keep sections focused: A Section should represent a single physical area (e.g., "Kitchen Sink") or a single concept (e.g., "PPE Compliance").
• Use clear naming: Ensure Page and Section titles clearly indicate what the inspector should be looking at.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a maximum number of repeats for a repeatable section?

No. Repeatable sections allow inspectors to add as many entries as necessary in the field (e.g., logging five separate damaged items). If you need a fixed number, define static sections instead of a repeatable one.

Does reordering questions affect completed inspection records?

No. Reordering questions in the template builder only changes the layout for new and future inspections. Historical submitted inspection reports retain their original structure and data as they were when submitted.