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How Do I Generate a Report in the Dashboard?

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ByDaniel-Blackmon
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Short answer: Go to a vehicle’s profile, click one of the 4 report type buttons (Emissions, Diagnostic, Pre-Purchase, or Estimate), select a scan session, and the AI generates a markdown report you can edit, refine with AI, and finalize to a branded PDF.

Step 1: Pick a Vehicle and Report Type

  1. Go to Vehicles in the sidebar.
  2. Click a vehicle to open its profile.
  3. Scroll to the ARIA Diagnostic Summary section.
  4. Click one of the four report buttons:
    • Emissions Report (green) — Emissions readiness and related DTCs
    • Diagnostic Report (blue) — General diagnostic assessment
    • Pre-Purchase Report (orange) — Buyer-focused vehicle evaluation
    • Estimate Report (purple) — Repair cost breakdown

Screenshot: Report type buttons Four report type buttons on the vehicle detail page

Step 2: Select a Scan Session

You’ll see the session history for that vehicle. Each session shows its date, DTC count, and MIL status. Click “Generate Report” on the session you want to use.

The AI starts working. You’ll see a spinner with “AI is generating your report…”

Screenshot: Session selection Select a scan session and click “Generate Report”

Step 3: Edit the Report

Two panels appear side by side:

  • Left panel: Markdown Editor — the raw report text
  • Right panel: Preview — the rendered report, updated automatically as you type

Edit the markdown directly. Change wording, add notes, remove sections. The preview updates as you go.

Screenshot: Two-panel editor Markdown editor on the left, live preview on the right

Step 4: Refine with AI (Optional)

Below the editor there’s an AI Refine input field. Type plain-English instructions and click Send (or press Enter).

Examples:

  • “Add more detail about the P0300 misfire”
  • “Make the summary shorter”
  • “Include repair cost estimates”
  • “Add a recommendation to replace the catalytic converter”

The AI revises the report based on your instructions. The preview updates automatically.

Screenshot: AI Refine input Type instructions like “add more detail about P0300” and click Send

Step 5: Finalize to PDF

Click “Finalize Report” (gradient purple/pink button). The dashboard generates a branded PDF. You’ll see “Generating PDF…” while it processes.

The PDF includes your shop branding from Settings — logo, shop name, phone number, email, and address. Set those up before generating reports.

Once done, you’re redirected to the Report Viewer.

Screenshot: Finalize Report button Click Finalize Report to generate the branded PDF

Step 6: View, Download, or Print

The Report Viewer shows:

  • Report title (filename without .pdf)
  • Download button — saves the PDF to your computer
  • Print button — sends to your printer
  • The full PDF rendered inline

Reports are permanently saved. Access them anytime from the Reports page in the sidebar.

Screenshot: Report Viewer The finished PDF with Download and Print buttons

Other Things to Know

  • Regenerate button starts over with a fresh AI output if you want to scrap the current draft.
  • PRO-only feature. Non-PRO users see a “Pro Feature” message with a lock icon.
  • Each report is tied to a specific scan session and VIN.
  • Reports are saved to the cloud and persist across devices and browser sessions.

Video Walkthrough

Watch the full report generation workflow:

OBDAI Tutorial Part 2: Web Dashboard & Custom Reports — Covers navigation, session selection, AI editing, and finalizing branded PDFs.

Questions? support@obdai.app

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