> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ccew.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Draft forms

> Automatically save your work-in-progress forms to the cloud with intelligent auto-save and cross-device synchronisation

CCEW's cloud draft auto-save feature automatically saves your in-progress forms to your account as you fill them out. This feature ensures your work is never lost and allows you to seamlessly continue forms across different devices.

<Info>
  Draft auto-save is a **Pro subscription feature** that works alongside your existing saved completed forms. Drafts save your work-in-progress automatically, while saved forms store completed and downloaded forms.
</Info>

## How draft auto-save works

When enabled, the draft auto-save feature:

* **Automatically saves** your form data every few seconds as you type
* **Creates one draft** per form session
* **Updates the same draft** rather than creating multiple versions
* **Works across devices** - start on desktop, continue on mobile
* **Preserves your work** if you accidentally close your browser or lose connection
* **Requires no manual action** - everything happens automatically in the background

### Save timing

The system uses intelligent saving intervals:

* **Edit saves**: Automatically saves a few seconds after you stop typing
* **Periodic saves**: Additional safety net saves every 15 seconds
* **Real-time feedback**: Save status indicator shows when drafts are being saved or have been saved

## Enabling draft auto-save

Draft auto-save is available to Pro subscribers and must be enabled in your account preferences.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upgrade to Pro (if needed)">
    Draft auto-save requires a Pro subscription. If you're on the free plan, upgrade to Pro first.

    <Card title="Upgrade to Pro" icon="crown" href="/account/billing">
      Get draft auto-save and other Pro features
    </Card>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access your account settings">
    Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and then click **Manage account** to open your account settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Draft Forms">
    In the account settings modal, click on **Draft Forms** in the navigation menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable cloud draft auto-save">
    Toggle the **Save draft form data** switch to enable the feature.

    <Check>
      Once enabled, any new forms you start will automatically save drafts to your account every few seconds.
    </Check>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure retention (optional)">
    Set how long drafts should be kept before automatic deletion. Options range from 1 day to 90 days (default is 30 days).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Managing draft retention

You can control how long draft forms are stored before being automatically deleted.

### Available retention periods

* **1 day** - For temporary work
* **3 days** - Short-term projects
* **7 days** - Weekly projects
* **14 days** - Bi-weekly workflows
* **30 days** - Monthly projects (default)
* **90 days** - Long-term storage

### Setting retention preferences

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Draft Forms">
    Open your account settings and navigate to **Draft Forms**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate retention settings">
    Below the auto-save toggle, find the **Draft retention** dropdown (visible when auto-save is enabled).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your preferred timeframe">
    Choose how long drafts should be kept. Drafts older than your selected timeframe will be automatically deleted.

    <Warning>
      Changing retention settings affects all existing drafts. Drafts older than your new setting will be removed.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Viewing and managing drafts

When you have drafts saved, they appear in a table in your **Draft Forms** section.

### Draft information displayed

Each draft shows:

* **Updated**: When the draft was last saved
* **Customer**: Customer name from the form (if entered)
* **Suburb**: Installation or customer suburb (if entered)
* **Serial**: Installation serial number (if entered)
* **Actions**: Options to load or delete the draft

<Tip>
  Drafts are automatically sorted by last update time, with the most recently modified drafts appearing first.
</Tip>

### Loading draft forms

To continue working on a saved draft:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access your drafts">
    Go to your account setting's **Draft Forms** section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find your draft">
    Locate the draft you want to continue in the **Draft forms** table.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click to load">
    Click the pencil icon in the **Actions** column.

    <Check>
      The form will open with all your previously entered data, and auto-save will continue from where you left off.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Deleting individual drafts

To remove a specific draft:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the draft">
    In your **Draft Forms** section, find the draft in the table.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click delete">
    Click the trash icon in the **Actions** column.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm deletion">
    Click **Delete** in the confirmation dialog.

    <Warning>
      This permanently removes the draft and cannot be undone.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Cross-device synchronisation

One of the key benefits of draft auto-save is the ability to work on forms across multiple devices.

### How it works

1. **Start on any device**: Begin filling out a form on your computer, tablet, or phone
2. **Automatic sync**: Your progress is automatically saved to the cloud
3. **Switch devices**: Open CCEW on another device and sign in to your account
4. **Continue seamlessly**: Load your draft and continue exactly where you left off

## Privacy and data handling

Your draft data is handled with the same security standards as completed forms:

* **Encrypted storage** in secure cloud infrastructure
* **Private to your account** - only you can access your drafts
* **Automatic cleanup** based on your retention settings
* **Immediate removal** when you delete your account

### Disabling draft auto-save

When you disable draft auto-save:

1. **New forms** stop auto-saving to the cloud (local storage continues)
2. **Existing drafts** remain accessible until you choose to delete them
3. **Confirmation dialog** lets you keep existing drafts or delete them all

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My drafts aren't auto-saving">
    Check that:

    * You have a Pro subscription
    * Cloud draft auto-save is enabled in your Draft Forms preferences
    * You're signed in to your account
    * Your internet connection is stable

    The save status indicator will show "Error" if there are connectivity issues.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I can't see my draft on another device">
    Ensure that:

    * You're signed in to the same account on both devices
    * The draft was created after enabling cloud auto-save
    * The draft hasn't exceeded your retention period
    * You're looking in the Draft Forms section of your user profile
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My old drafts disappeared">
    This is likely due to:

    * Retention settings automatically deleting old drafts
    * Accidentally bulk-deleting drafts when disabling the feature
    * The drafts exceeding the maximum retention period

    Check your retention settings and consider increasing the timeframe for future drafts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The auto-save seems slow or inconsistent">
    Auto-save uses intelligent timing:

    * Waits 2.5 seconds after you stop typing to avoid constant saves
    * Performs safety saves every 15 seconds regardless of typing
    * May be delayed by slow internet connections

    The status indicator shows when saves are in progress or completed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I manually save drafts?">
    No, draft saving is fully automatic. Manual saves aren't needed or available. The system automatically detects changes and saves them using optimized timing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Differences from saved forms

It's important to understand how drafts differ from the existing saved forms feature:

| Feature          | Draft Forms                             | Saved Forms                                 |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **When saved**   | Automatically while filling out         | When completing and downloading PDF         |
| **Subscription** | Pro only                                | Available to all users                      |
| **Status**       | Work-in-progress                        | Completed forms                             |
| **Retention**    | 1-90 days (configurable)                | Indefinite (until account deletion)         |
| **Purpose**      | Prevent work loss, cross-device editing | Form history and re-editing completed forms |
| **Storage**      | One current version per form session    | Multiple completed forms                    |

Both features work together to provide comprehensive form management for different stages of your workflow.

## Best practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set appropriate retention" icon="calendar">
    Choose a retention period that matches your typical project timeframes. Electrical contractors might prefer 30-90 days for ongoing jobs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use across devices" icon="refresh-cw">
    Take advantage of cross-device sync by starting forms on your computer and finishing them on-site with a mobile device.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Watch save indicators" icon="activity">
    Keep an eye on the save status to ensure your work is being preserved, especially in areas with poor connectivity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regular cleanup" icon="trash">
    Periodically review and delete draft forms you no longer need to keep your workspace organized.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>