Task and Preventive Maintenance (PM) printouts currently suffer from significant formatting issues that make them difficult to use in the field. Images are not scalable, frequently get split between pages, and are often overlaid with instructional text. These layout problems result in cluttered, hard-to-read printouts that require manual correction, wasting time and reducing the utility of printed task documentation.
Current Limitations
- Fixed Image Size: Images print at a default size that cannot be adjusted. Users have no way to shrink or reposition them to fit better within the page layout.
- Image Splitting Across Pages: Images are frequently broken across two pages when they fall near a page break, distorting the content and rendering visuals unclear.
- Text Overlap: Instructional text can print directly on top of images, obscuring both the text and the image and making the instructions difficult to follow.
- Manual Workarounds: Users are forced to experiment with browser print settings or reformat the task multiple times to achieve a usable printout—if it’s even possible to do so.
Visual Example
As shown in the attached screenshot, an image included in a task is printed at a fixed small size, cannot be enlarged, and is placed in a way that allows instructional text to bleed over it. When printed, this results in overlapping content and a broken, unprofessional layout.
Requested Enhancements
- Preserve Content Integrity on Page Breaks
Ensure that images and their associated instruction text are grouped together on the same page. If necessary, adjust spacing automatically to avoid splitting content mid-section. - Prevent Text Overlap on Images
Improve layout logic so text never overlays directly on top of an image in printouts. Maintain adequate padding or line breaks between content types. - Image Size and Placement Controls (Future Consideration)
Allow users to choose how images appear in print—e.g., standard, compact, or full-width views. While resizing isn't currently available, adding controls would give users greater flexibility in formatting. - WYSIWYG Print Preview
Introduce a more accurate print preview that reflects the actual printed output, helping users avoid surprises when printing tasks or PMs.
Business Value
- Improved Usability: Ensures field technicians can clearly read instructions and view supporting images without confusion or extra formatting steps.
- Time Savings: Reduces the need to reprint or manually adjust task content, allowing users to focus on execution instead of troubleshooting layout issues.
- Professional Appearance: Supports clean, organized documentation suitable for audits, compliance checks, and team collaboration.
- Enhanced User Satisfaction: Demonstrates attention to detail and user experience in the product’s offline capabilities.
