> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hiveinspect.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Edit a Template: Add, Move and Duplicate Sections and Comments > Step-by-step template editing in Hive Inspect: add sections, subsections and comments, reorder them, and duplicate, move or delete one item or several comments at once.

In the dashboard: Templates → open a template

This page shows how to change a template step by step. If you're new to templates, read [Template structure](/how-tos/template-structure) first: it explains sections, subsections, the three comment groups and the comment types. ## Before you start: how saving works Most changes in the template editor are **not saved until you click Save Changes**. As soon as you change something, a bar appears at the bottom of the screen: The floating bar at the bottom of the template editor: You have unsaved changes, with a Save Changes button * Click **Save Changes** to keep your changes. * If you leave the template or open another one with unsaved changes, Hive asks you to **Save Changes**, **Discard Changes** or **Cancel**. * Made a mistake? Leave the template and choose **Discard Changes** to go back to the last saved version. There are two exceptions, both of which write to **another** template straight away: * **Duplicating** a section, subsection or comment **into another template** saves it in that template at once. * **Moving** an item **into another template** copies it there at once. It's removed from the template you're in when you click **Save Changes**. Changes apply to reports created after you save. Reports that already exist keep the version they were built from. See [Why template changes don't show in a report I already started](/faq/templates#template-changes-existing-reports). Don't add, remove, duplicate or move sections, subsections or comments in a **special PDF** template, such as TREC, NPMA-33 or a Florida form. Each item maps to a spot on the official form. Changing the wording of a comment is fine. See [Special PDF templates](/how-tos/import-templates#special-pdf-templates). To try big changes safely, duplicate the template first from its **⋮** menu in the template list, and edit the copy. See [The template menu](/how-tos/template-overview#the-template-menu). ## Find anything in a template With a template open, the **Search entire template...** box at the top searches every comment's name, description, options, category and service, and every section and subsection name. Click a result to jump straight to the comment. It's highlighted for a moment so you can spot it. ## Create an empty template Most inspectors start from an [imported template](/how-tos/import-templates), which is much faster. To start from nothing: On the **Templates** page, click **Create**. The Create New Template dialog: Create a new inspection template with basic information, you can add sections and fields after creation. Template Name is Pre-Listing Inspection, the Description box is empty, and the buttons are Cancel and Create Template Type a **Template Name**, and a **Description** if you like. Both are only for you and your team. The new, empty template opens. Add sections as described below. ## Add a section Scroll to the bottom of the list of sections on the left and click **Add Section**. A section called **New Section** with a number, such as **New Section 29**, is added at the end of the list. Click the new section. In **Section Details**, replace the **Section Title** with its real name, such as **Pool**. Add a **Section Description** and **Private Notes** if you need them. See [Sections](/how-tos/template-structure#sections). The template editor after Add Section: New Section 29 is selected at the bottom of the section list, above Add Section. On the right, its Section Details with Section Title New Section 29, empty Section Description and Private Notes, and Section Visible switched on. The bar at the bottom says You have unsaved changes, with Save Changes Drag the section by the handle on its left to where it belongs, or use **Move Up** and **Move Down** in its **⋮** menu. A new section is empty. Add its subsections as described next, then click **Save Changes**. ## Add a subsection On the left, click the arrow next to the section to open it, then click **Add Subsection** under its last subsection. While a subsection is open on the right, you can also click **Add Subsection** at its top right. It adds the new subsection to the same section. A subsection called **New Subsection** is added at the end of the section. Click it, then type its real name in **Subsection Title**. A New Subsection added at the end of the Roof section. Its Subsection Details have the title New Subsection, empty Description and Private Notes, and Subsection Visible on. Below are the three empty groups, Information, Limitations and Defects/ Deficiencies, each with 0 fields, the note No fields yet, and New Comment and Add New Comment buttons. The bar at the bottom says You have unsaved changes The new subsection already has the three empty groups: **Information**, **Limitations** and **Defects/ Deficiencies**. Add comments to them as described next, then click **Save Changes**. ## Add a comment Open the subsection and find the group the comment belongs in: **Information**, **Limitations** or **Defects/ Deficiencies**. Click **New Comment** at the top of that group, or **Add New Comment** at its bottom. The **Configure Comment Details** dialog opens. In **Information** and **Limitations**, pick **Checkbox Item**, **Multiple Choice** or **Text**. Checkbox Item is picked for you. In **Defects/ Deficiencies**, the type is always **Defect/ Deficiency**. See [Comment types](/how-tos/template-structure#comment-types-in-information-and-limitations). To have Hive write the comment for you, click **Generate using Hive Comment Assist** now. See [Hive Comment Assist](/how-tos/template-structure#hive-comment-assist). Type the **Field Name**, the short name the inspector sees in the list, and fill in the rest for the type you picked: Configure Comment Details for an Information comment: Comment Type Checkbox Item, the Generate using Hive Comment Assist button, Field Name Roof Covering Inspected, Description Text The roof covering was inspected at visible areas for damage, wear and missing materials, Auto-select this comment ticked, an Attach Images (Optional) drop area for up to 20 images, an unticked Auto-flag (Required comment) and the Create Field button * **Description Text:** the text that goes into the report when the inspector ticks the comment. * **Auto-select this comment:** tick it to have the comment already ticked in every new report. Configure Comment Details with Comment Type Multiple Choice: Field Name Roof Covering Material, an empty Description Text, Options Architectural shingles, 3-tab asphalt shingles, Metal, Tile, Flat/membrane, Default Value Architectural shingles, the image drop area, Auto-flag (Required comment) and Create Field * **Options** (required): the choices, separated by commas. * **Default Value** (optional): the option already picked in every new report. * **Description Text** (optional): extra text that goes with the comment. Configure Comment Details with Comment Type Text: Field Name Date of Last Roof Permit, empty Description Text and Default Value boxes with the note Text comment default values, this value can be prefilled here or filled at inspection time in report editor, the image drop area, Auto-flag (Required comment) and Create Field * **Default Value** (optional): text already filled in, which the inspector can change on site. * **Description Text** (optional): extra text that goes with the comment. Configure Comment Details for a Defects/ Deficiencies comment: Comment Type Defect/ Deficiency, Field Name Shingles - Lifted or Missing Tabs, Description Text about lifted or missing shingle tabs and a recommendation for a roofing contractor, Defect/ Deficiency Category with Maintenance Items, Recommendations (selected, orange) and Safety Concerns, Defect/ Deficiency Service Roofing Professional, an unticked Auto-select this comment, the image drop area, Estimated Cost $300 - $800 and Estimated Timeline Within 30 days * **Description Text:** what was observed, why it matters and what to do. * **Defect/ Deficiency Category** (required): click **Maintenance Items**, **Recommendations** or **Safety Concerns** (or your own names for them). * **Defect/ Deficiency Service:** the professional who should fix it. * **Estimated Cost** and **Estimated Timeline** (optional). For every type you can also add reference images under **Attach Images (Optional)** and tick **Auto-flag (Required comment)**. See [Options on every comment](/how-tos/template-structure#options-on-every-comment). **Create Field** turns blue once the required fields are filled in. The comment is added at the end of the group. Drag it into place if needed, then click **Save Changes**. You can also add comments to a template while writing a report. See [Save a comment to a template](/how-tos/saving-comments-to-template). ## Edit or delete a comment Each comment has a row of icons on its right: A comment row, Roof Covering Inspected, with a drag handle on the left and, on the right, the icons for auto-flag, move up, move down, edit, duplicate, move and delete, then a selection box | Icon | What it does | | - | - | | **Flag** | Turns **Auto-flag** on or off. A filled red flag means the comment is auto-flagged. | | **Up** and **Down arrows** | Move the comment one place up or down in its group. | | **Pencil** (Edit) | Opens **Edit Comment** to change the comment. | | **Copy** (Duplicate) | Duplicates the comment. See [Duplicate](#duplicate-a-comment). | | **Folder** (Move) | Moves the comment to another group, subsection or template. See [Move](#move-comments). | | **Trash** (Delete) | Deletes the comment from the template. | **Edit a comment:** click the pencil, change what you need, and click **Save Changes** in the dialog. Then click **Save Changes** at the bottom of the screen to save the template. **Generate description** next to **Description Text** has Hive Comment Assist write a new description from the comment's name. The Edit Comment dialog for the Defect/ Deficiency comment No Permit Found (not original): Field Name, a Generate description button above the Description Text with Observation, Evaluation and Recommendation paragraphs, Defect/ Deficiency Category with Maintenance Items selected, Defect/ Deficiency Service Inquire With Seller, Auto-select this comment, Attach Images, Estimated Cost and Estimated Timeline, Auto-flag (Required comment), and Cancel and Save Changes buttons A comment's type can't be changed. To change it, for example from Text to Multiple Choice, create a new comment of the right type and delete the old one. **Delete a comment:** click the trash icon. The comment disappears right away, without a confirmation. If you deleted the wrong one, leave the template and choose **Discard Changes** before you save. ## Reorder | To reorder | Drag | Or use | | - | - | - | | **Sections** | The handle on the left of the section in the left list | **Move Up** / **Move Down** in the section's **⋮** menu | | **Subsections**, within their section | The handle on the left of the subsection | **Move Up** / **Move Down** in the subsection's **⋮** menu | | **Comments**, within their group | The handle on the left of the comment | The up and down arrows on the comment | The order in the template is the order inspectors work through on site and the order clients read in the report. Dragging only works inside the same section or group. To put a subsection in another section, or a comment in another group or subsection, use **Move**. ## The section and subsection menus Each section and subsection in the left list has a **⋮** menu: The menu of the Roof section: Move Up, Move Down, Duplicate Section, Move Section and Delete Section **Move Up**, **Move Down**, **Duplicate Section**, **Move Section** and **Delete Section**. The menu of the Predominant Roof subsection: Move Up, Move Down, Duplicate, Move and Delete **Move Up**, **Move Down**, **Duplicate**, **Move** and **Delete**. ## Duplicate Duplicating makes a copy of an item with everything inside it: a section with all its subsections and comments, a subsection with all its comments, or a comment with its details and reference images. The original stays where it is. Where the copy goes depends on where you send it: | Destination | Where the copy goes | Name of the copy | Saved | | - | - | - | - | | **The same place** (same template for a section, same section for a subsection, same group for a comment) | Right below the original | The next free number, such as **Roof 2** | When you click **Save Changes** | | **Somewhere else in this template** | At the end of the section or group you picked | Same name | When you click **Save Changes** | | **Another template** | At the end of the template, section or group you picked | Same name | Right away, in that template | ### Duplicate a section Click the **⋮** next to the section and choose **Duplicate Section**. The template you're in is picked for you and marked **(current)**. Keep it to copy the section within this template, or pick another of your templates. The Duplicate Section dialog: Select the destination template for duplicating the Roof section; the entire section with all its subsections, components, and fields will be duplicated. Target Template Hive Inspect Residential (current), and a blue note: Placed right below the original section, Name Roof 2 (next available number). Cancel and Duplicate Section buttons The blue box tells you where the copy goes and what it will be called before you confirm. ### Duplicate a subsection Click the **⋮** next to the subsection and choose **Duplicate**. Pick the **Target Template** and the **Target Section**, then click **Duplicate Subsection**. The Duplicate Subsection dialog for Predominant Roof: Target Template Hive Inspect Residential, Target Section Roof (current), and the note Placed right below the original subsection, Name Predominant Roof 2 (next available number). Cancel and Duplicate Subsection buttons A common use: copy a subsection such as **Kitchen** into a new section for a second kitchen, or copy a subsection you like from one template into another. ### Duplicate a comment Click the duplicate icon on the comment. Pick the **Target Template**, **Target Section**, **Target Subsection** and **Target Component** (the group), then click **Duplicate Field**. All four start on the comment's current place. The Duplicate Field dialog for Roof Covering Material: this field can only be added to Information or Limitations components. Target Template Hive Inspect Residential, Target Section Roof (current), Target Subsection Predominant Roof (current), Target Component Information (current), and the note Placed right below the original field, Name Roof Covering Material 2 (next available number). Cancel and Duplicate Field buttons Duplicating a comment into the same group is a quick way to write a similar comment: duplicate it, then edit the copy. ## Move Moving takes an item out of one place and puts it in another, with everything inside it. It's added at the end of the place you pick and keeps its name. | Item | Where it can go | | - | - | | **Section** | Another template only. To change a section's place in this template, [reorder](#reorder) it. | | **Subsection** | Another section in this template, or a section in another template | | **Comment** | Any group in any subsection, in this template or another. Information and Limitations comments can go into either of those two groups. Defect comments can only go into a Defects/ Deficiencies group. | When you move into **another template**, the item is copied there right away and taken out of this template when you click **Save Changes**. If the copy fails, nothing is moved. ### Move a section Click the **⋮** next to the section, choose **Move Section**, pick the **Target Template** and click **Move Section**. The template you're in isn't in the list. The Move Section dialog: Select the destination template for moving the Roof section; the entire section with all its subsections, components, and fields will be moved and added to the end of the selected template. Target Template Kincaid Residential Inspection Report. Cancel and Move Section buttons ### Move a subsection Click the **⋮** next to the subsection, choose **Move**, pick the **Target Template** and **Target Section**, and click **Move Subsection**. The section it's already in can't be picked. The Move Subsection dialog for Predominant Roof: the entire subsection with all its components and fields will be moved. Target Template Hive Inspect Residential and Target Section Attic, Roof Structure, & Ventilation. Cancel and Move Subsection buttons ### Move comments Click the move icon on the comment. Pick the **Target Template**, **Target Section**, **Target Subsection** and **Target Component**, and click **Move Field**. The Move Field dialog for Roof Covering Material: this field can only be added to Information or Limitations components. Target Template Hive Inspect Residential, Target Section Roof (current), Target Subsection Predominant Roof (current), Target Component Limitations. Cancel and Move Field buttons A common use is fixing an imported template, where a limitation landed in **Information**: move it to **Limitations** in the same subsection. ## Work with several comments at once To duplicate, move or delete several comments in one go: Tick the box on the right of each comment, or click **Select all** next to the group's name. You can select in one group at a time. The boxes in the other groups are locked until you clear the selection. The group's header shows how many are selected, with **Clear**, **Duplicate**, **Move** and **Delete**. The Information group with three comments ticked and highlighted: Roof Material Age, Roof Covering Material and Date of last roof permit. The header reads 3 selected, with Clear, Duplicate, Move, Delete and New Comment buttons **Duplicate** and **Move** open the same destination dialog as for one comment, titled for the number of comments, such as **Move 3 Fields**. The Move 3 Fields dialog: select the destination for moving 3 selected fields; this field can only be added to Information or Limitations components. Target Template, Target Section, Target Subsection and Target Component pickers, set to Hive Inspect Residential, Roof (current), Predominant Roof (current) and Information (current). Cancel and Move 3 Fields buttons * When duplicated in the same group, each copy goes right below its original with the next free number. * Anywhere else, the comments are added at the end of the group you pick and keep their names. **Delete** asks you to confirm first. Click **Save Changes**. ## Delete a section or subsection Click the **⋮** next to the section and choose **Delete Section**. Click **Continue**, type **DELETE** and confirm. The section and everything in it is removed. The Delete Section? dialog: You are about to delete the section Roof. This action will remove the section and all its subsections, delete all associated content and fields, remove files from S3 storage and update the database records. This action cannot be undone. Cancel and Continue buttons Click the **⋮** next to the subsection, choose **Delete**, and click **Delete** in **Delete Subsection**. The subsection and all its comments are removed. The deletion becomes permanent when you click **Save Changes**. Until then, you can get the item back by leaving the template and choosing **Discard Changes**. Instead of deleting a section or subsection you rarely use, you can **hide** it. It stays in your template and the inspector can show it on site when it's needed. See [Hidden sections and subsections](/how-tos/template-structure#hidden-sections-and-subsections). ## Checklist after editing * Click **Save Changes** and wait for the bar to disappear. * Open a test inspection and add the template as a new report to see your changes the way an inspector will. * If you changed a special PDF template, generate the PDF to check the form still prints correctly. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.