How do I download a report as PDF, Word or CSV?

Every report on the Reports page can be downloaded three ways:

• PDF: ready to print or attach.
• Word: a document you can edit before you send it.
• CSV: a spreadsheet with one column per detail, for Excel or Google Sheets.

Everyone on your staff can download reports they can see, whatever their role.

Downloading a curated report

Open the report from the Curated reports tab. At the top right:

• Download PDF makes the PDF.
• Word makes the Word document.
• CSV makes the spreadsheet.
• Tick Table of contents before you choose Download PDF to add a contents page at the front.

The button says Preparing… while the file is made. In Word and CSV the bill numbers link to the legislature's pages.

Running a status report

On the Status reports tab, choose Run now beside a template. (In the template editor it is Save and run now for people who can change the template, and Run now for everyone else.) The report is built from the latest data and opens on its own page, where PDF, Word and CSV download it. The article on status reports and saved runs explains what happens to each run.

The first download of each format takes a moment while the file is made. After that the same file is served straight away.

PDF layouts

Status reports have two PDF layouts, chosen under Order and grouping in the template editor:

• compact status list: dense rows with labels. Good for long lists.
• printed brief: a more spacious, designed layout, like a curated report.

The printed brief works for up to 150 bills. A longer report prints as the compact status list instead, even if the template asks for the brief.

Curated reports always use the printed brief layout. Hearing calendars always use the compact list.

Word documents and CSV files have no layout choice. In a hearing calendar's CSV, each row is one bill at one meeting, with the meeting date, time, name, chamber and room first.

Limits

• 1,000 entries per report. A report can list at most 1,000 bills. If a status report would list more, running it stops with a message such as "More than 1,000 bills match. Narrow the conditions or the date range." When a template groups by Issue Portfolio, a bill in several portfolios counts once for each, and the message says so.
• Printed brief up to 150 bills, as above.
• Preview shows the first 25. The template editor's preview builds the first 25 bills so it stays quick. The real run includes them all.

"Other reports are being prepared right now"

PDF and Word files take real work to build, so they are made one at a time, with a few more waiting in line. If several people download large reports at the same moment, you may see: Other reports are being prepared right now. Try again in a minute. Nothing is wrong. Wait a minute and download again. CSV files are not affected.

Common questions

My PDF came out in the compact layout, but I chose the printed brief. The report has more than 150 bills. Narrow the template, or split it into two.

The report says the search for this legislature is still being prepared. This can happen when a template searches the words inside bills before that search is ready for your legislature. Try again later.

If this does not solve it, email support@conservativestates.app and tell us your organization's name.