Creating Reports
Learn how to create powerful AI-generated reports from scratch or using templates. Master the report builder interface and configuration options.
Creating a New Report#
Creating a new report in PromptReports is straightforward. You can start from scratch, use a template, or duplicate an existing report. Each approach offers different advantages depending on your needs.
Navigate to Report Builder
Choose Your Starting Point
Name Your Report
Configure Settings
Quick Start
Report Builder Interface#
The Report Builder is your central workspace for creating and editing reports. It provides a powerful yet intuitive interface for configuring every aspect of your report.
Rich Text Editor
Full-featured Slate.js editor with support for headings, lists, tables, images, and custom formatting.
Section Manager
Organize your report into logical sections. Drag and drop to reorder, collapse for overview, or expand for detail.
Configuration Panel
Access all report settings including AI parameters, variables, and export options from the right sidebar.
Live Preview
See how your report will look when exported. Toggle between edit and preview modes instantly.
| Interface Element | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Title Bar | Top | Report name, save status, and primary actions |
| Section Navigator | Left sidebar | Quick navigation between report sections |
| Content Editor | Center | Main editing area with rich text capabilities |
| Settings Panel | Right sidebar | AI configuration, variables, and metadata |
| Generation Controls | Bottom bar | Generate, regenerate, and streaming controls |
Configuring AI Settings#
The AI configuration determines how your report content is generated. Understanding these settings helps you achieve optimal results for your specific use case.
| Setting | Description | Recommended Values |
|---|---|---|
| Model | The AI model used for generation | GPT-4 for quality, GPT-3.5 for speed |
| Temperature | Controls creativity vs consistency (0-1) | 0.3-0.5 for reports, 0.7+ for creative |
| Max Tokens | Maximum output length | 2000-4000 for sections, 8000+ for full reports |
| Top P | Nucleus sampling parameter | 0.9 for balanced output |
| Frequency Penalty | Reduces repetition | 0.3-0.5 for varied content |
| Presence Penalty | Encourages topic diversity | 0.1-0.3 for comprehensive coverage |
Model Selection
- Claude 3 Opus: Best for nuanced analysis and long-form content
- GPT-4: Excellent general-purpose performance
- GPT-4 Turbo: Faster GPT-4 with larger context window
- Claude 3 Sonnet: Good balance of quality and speed
Using Variables#
Variables allow you to create dynamic, reusable report templates. Instead of hardcoding specific values, use variables that can be filled in at generation time.
# Basic variable usage
Analyze the {{company_name}} competitive landscape.
# Variable with default value
Focus on the {{industry:technology}} sector.
# Multiple variables in context
Prepare a {{report_type}} report for {{client_name}}
covering {{time_period}} in the {{region}} market.Variables are automatically detected when you save your report. The system extracts variable names and presents them in a form for easy input before generation.
Variable Presets
Save common variable combinations as presets for quick reuse across multiple report generations.
Dynamic Updates
Regenerate reports with different variable values without recreating the entire structure.
Variable Best Practices
- Use descriptive names:
company_namenotcn - Provide defaults for optional fields
- Group related variables together in your prompts
- Document what each variable expects in your template notes
Multi-Section Reports#
Complex reports benefit from a multi-section structure. Each section can have its own prompt, AI settings, and formatting, allowing for detailed control over the final output.
Plan Your Structure
Create Sections
Configure Section Prompts
Set Section Order
Link Sections
| Section Type | Purpose | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Summary | High-level overview and key findings | 200-500 words |
| Introduction | Context setting and methodology | 300-600 words |
| Analysis | Deep dive into data and research | 1000-3000 words |
| Findings | Key discoveries and insights | 500-1500 words |
| Recommendations | Actionable next steps | 400-800 words |
| Appendix | Supporting data and references | Variable |
Generation Process#
Once your report is configured, the generation process transforms your prompts and variables into comprehensive content. Understanding this process helps you optimize your workflow.
Sequential Generation
Sections are generated in order, allowing later sections to reference earlier content for coherence.
Streaming Output
Watch content appear in real-time as it's generated. No need to wait for the entire report.
Generation Tips
- Generate sections individually for better control and faster iteration
- Use the regenerate button to try different outputs for specific sections
- Review and edit as you go rather than waiting until the end
- Save drafts frequently to preserve your progress
Editing & Refining#
AI-generated content is a starting point, not a final product. The editing phase is where you refine the output to meet your exact requirements and add your expert perspective.
Inline Editing
Click anywhere in the content to make direct edits. Full rich text formatting is available.
AI Refinement
Select text and use AI to expand, summarize, rephrase, or improve specific passages.
The rich text editor supports all standard formatting options plus advanced features tailored for professional reports:
- Headings (H1-H6) with automatic table of contents generation
- Bulleted and numbered lists with nested levels
- Tables with row and column manipulation
- Images and figures with captions
- Block quotes and callouts
- Code blocks with syntax highlighting
- Footnotes and citations
Saving & Versioning#
PromptReports automatically saves your work as you edit, but understanding the save and versioning system helps you manage your reports effectively.
Auto-Save
Changes are automatically saved every few seconds. Never lose your work due to unexpected issues.
Manual Versions
Create named versions at key milestones. Easily compare or revert to previous states.
Version Best Practices
- Create a version before major regeneration or structural changes
- Use descriptive version names like "Draft 1 - Initial Generation" or "Final - Client Review"
- Don't rely solely on auto-save for important milestones
- Export important versions as backups before significant edits