The next-step strip

The upload page, the report page, and the multi-period engagement page each open with a strip labeled Next step N of M. It names exactly one thing to do, with one button that does it or takes you to it. Everything else on the page stays where it was; the strip only puts the current step in front of it.

It exists because an engagement page has a lot of equal-weight buttons at once: uploads, the scan, fix procedures, a checklist, five download types, share links, re-scan. If you have ever opened a report and not known where to start, this is for you. Read the strip, do the one thing, come back.

The six steps of a single-period engagement

1. Export reports from QuickBooks Online. Shown while nothing has been uploaded. Names the required reports for this engagement, and the button opens the export walkthrough in a new tab so the upload page stays put.
2. Upload the reports. Shown once something is in but a required report is still missing. Names what is still needed. No button, because the drop zone is right below.
3. Run the diagnostic scan. Every required report is in. The button runs the scan. If files or the diagnostic engine changed after the last scan, this slot reads Re-scan with the new files instead.
4. Generate fix procedures. The scan is done and no procedures exist yet. The button starts generation on the report page and shows progress while it runs. On Free Preview this step is marked skipped and labeled "(paid plans)".
5. Work the findings. Shows how many findings are closed out of the total and names the next open one, in the order the category list shows them. The button expands that category and scrolls to it. A finding counts as closed when its checklist status is Resolved or Not Applicable. Free Preview has no checklist, so this step is marked skipped there.
6. Deliver to the client. Every finding is closed. The button downloads the client assessment PDF. On Free Preview it reads Unlock downloads to deliver and points at the download menu, where the upgrade and apply-credit options live.

The upload page cannot see findings, so once the scan is done and fresh it shows Scan complete. Continue on the report with a button to the report page. Progress is whatever the checklist holds, so closing the tab loses nothing.

The three steps of a multi-period engagement

On the engagement page (two or more periods under one client) the strip has three steps:

1. Upload and scan every period. Names the earliest period without a scan and how many are done. The button expands that period's card. If files changed after a period was scanned, this slot reads Re-scan the periods with new files and the button re-scans them in one pass.
2. Generate fix procedures. Names how many scanned periods have none yet. The button runs generation for those periods; the fix procedures card below shows progress.
3. Download the combined reports. Every period is scanned. The button scrolls to the combined downloads. On Free Preview it reads Unlock downloads to deliver and goes to pricing.

A group with only one period does not show the strip; that period's own upload and report pages carry it.

Seeing the whole list

Click Show all steps under the strip to see every step with its state: done, current, upcoming, or skipped. Skipped steps are the ones your plan does not include.

When the strip is hidden

Archived and demo engagements are read-only and show no strip. The upload page also waits until it has restored your previous uploads before showing one, so it does not flash "export your reports" at you while it loads.