Expensify: Avatar Glitch When Moving Reports Offline

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into an interesting issue reported on Expensify: an avatar glitch that occurs when moving reports between workspaces while offline. Let's break down the problem, steps to reproduce it, and its impact. If you're an Expensify user or a developer, this is definitely something you'll want to know about!

The Issue: Old Avatar Sticking Around

So, what's the deal? The core issue is that when you move a report from one workspace to another in Expensify while your device is offline, the report preview stubbornly displays the avatar of the previous workspace. This can be confusing, especially if you're managing multiple workspaces. The correct avatar only pops up once you regain internet connectivity. This avatar discrepancy can lead to user confusion, making it harder to quickly identify the correct workspace a report belongs to. Imagine moving several reports while traveling and then having to double-check each one when you get back online – a real pain, right? This bug affects user experience and overall efficiency within the app.

This glitch was spotted in version 9.1.89-1 and is reproducible in the staging environment, but thankfully, it hasn't made its way into the production version just yet. That's good news for most users, but it's crucial that we understand the steps to reproduce it so we can squash this bug for good. The issue was initially reported by the Applause Internal Team, so a big shoutout to them for catching this! The original bug report is linked in TestRail under this link. You can check it out for more details. The tester who experienced this issue was using a Motorola MotoG60 on Android 12 via Chrome (both mWeb and Hybrid app) on a Windows 10 machine, which gives us a pretty specific test case to work with.

Steps to Reproduce the Avatar Glitch

Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. If you want to try and replicate this issue yourself, here's how you do it. It's actually quite straightforward, but you'll need an Expensify account with at least two workspaces to start.

1. Prerequisites: Make sure your account has at least two workspaces set up. This is crucial because you'll be moving a report between them.
2. Open Expensify: Fire up the Expensify app on your device or in a supported browser.
3. Go to a Workspace Chat: Navigate to any workspace chat within your Expensify account. This is where you'll initiate the expense report.
4. Submit a Manual Expense: Create and submit a manual expense within the chat. This expense will be the report you'll be moving.
5. Go Offline: This is where the fun begins! Turn off your device's internet connection. You can do this by disabling Wi-Fi and mobile data.
6. Open the Expense: Find and open the expense you just created. You'll be working with this report offline.
7. Change Workspace: Tap on "More" (usually represented by three dots) and select "Change Workspace". This is the action that triggers the bug.
8. Select New Workspace: Choose a different workspace to move the expense report to. This simulates the scenario where a report needs to be re-categorized or moved to the correct department.
9. Observe the Avatar: Pay close attention to the expense report. It should now display the avatar of the new workspace you just moved it to.
10. Navigate to the New Workspace: Go to the workspace you just moved the report to.
11. Check the Report Preview: Here's the key part: the report preview will still show the avatar of the previous workspace. This is the glitch we're trying to highlight.
12. Go Back Online: Re-establish your internet connection by turning Wi-Fi or mobile data back on.
13. Verify the Avatar Update: Once connected, the avatar should update to the correct one for the new workspace. This confirms that the issue is related to the offline state.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the avatar issue and see the problem firsthand. This is super helpful for developers and testers trying to fix the bug!

Expected vs. Actual: What Should Happen?

Let's clarify what should happen versus what actually happens when moving a report between workspaces offline. The expected result is pretty straightforward: when you move a report to a new workspace, the avatar associated with that new workspace should be immediately visible on the report preview, regardless of your internet connection status. This ensures a consistent and intuitive user experience. You move a report, you see the correct avatar – simple, right?

However, the actual result is where things get a bit wonky. When you move a report to a different workspace while offline, the report preview stubbornly displays the avatar of the previous workspace. It's like the app is stuck in the past! The correct avatar only appears after you regain internet connectivity. This delay in updating the avatar can cause confusion and make it harder to manage reports efficiently, especially if you're dealing with multiple workspaces. It disrupts the visual consistency of the app and can lead to errors if users rely on the avatar for quick identification.

Impact and Potential Workarounds

So, what's the real-world impact of this avatar glitch? And is there anything users can do to avoid it in the meantime? The primary impact is on user experience. When the avatar doesn't update correctly, it creates confusion and requires users to double-check the report details to ensure it's in the right workspace. This adds extra steps to what should be a seamless process. For users who frequently move reports between workspaces, this issue can become quite frustrating.

Imagine a scenario where an employee is categorizing expenses on a train with intermittent internet connectivity. They move several reports to different workspaces, but the avatars don't update correctly. Later, when they have a stable connection, they might have to go through each report again to verify its location. This is not only time-consuming but also increases the risk of errors.

Currently, there's no known workaround for this issue. The only way to ensure the avatar updates correctly is to have an active internet connection when moving reports. This limitation can be a significant inconvenience for users who work offline frequently, such as those traveling or working in areas with poor connectivity. It highlights the importance of addressing this bug to provide a more reliable and user-friendly experience.

Platforms Affected

It's crucial to know which platforms are affected by this bug so we can prioritize our efforts effectively. Based on the report, the avatar glitch is confirmed to occur on the following platforms:

• Android: Both the native app and the mWeb version in Chrome are affected.
• Windows: Chrome browser is also susceptible to this issue.

This means that users on Android devices and those using Chrome on Windows are most likely to encounter this bug. It's worth noting that the bug hasn't been confirmed on iOS (neither the app nor mWeb Safari/Chrome) or macOS (Chrome/Safari/Desktop). This doesn't necessarily mean it's not present on those platforms, but it hasn't been reproduced in testing so far. Further investigation might be needed to determine the full scope of the issue.

Visual Evidence: Screenshot

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? The included screenshot provides clear visual evidence of the avatar glitch. It shows the report preview displaying the avatar of the previous workspace even after the report has been moved to a new one while offline. This visual confirmation is incredibly helpful for developers trying to understand and fix the issue. It leaves no room for ambiguity and clearly illustrates the problem users are experiencing. It's always a good practice to include screenshots or videos in bug reports, as they can save a lot of time and effort in the troubleshooting process.

Contributing and Getting Involved

If you're interested in helping to fix this bug or contributing to Expensify in general, there are several ways to get involved! First off, check out the contributing guidelines. These guidelines provide a comprehensive overview of how to contribute to the project, including coding standards, pull request processes, and more. It's a great resource for anyone looking to make a meaningful contribution.

For quick communication and collaboration, you can also request to join the Expensify Slack channel by emailing [email protected]. Slack is a fantastic platform for real-time discussions, asking questions, and getting feedback from other contributors and the Expensify team. It's a great way to stay connected and up-to-date on the latest developments.

And if you're looking for more ways to contribute, be sure to check out the open jobs on GitHub. There are often various issues labeled as "Help Wanted," which are perfect opportunities for contributors to jump in and make a difference. Contributing to open-source projects like Expensify is a fantastic way to learn, improve your skills, and give back to the community. So, don't hesitate to get involved!

Conclusion

The avatar glitch in Expensify, where the report preview shows the old workspace's avatar when moving reports offline, is a prime example of how seemingly minor bugs can impact user experience. While it might not be a showstopper, it introduces confusion and inefficiency, especially for users managing multiple workspaces or working with limited connectivity. The clear steps to reproduce the issue, along with the visual evidence, make it easier for developers to tackle this bug effectively. The fact that there's currently no workaround underscores the importance of a timely fix.

If you're an Expensify user, keep an eye out for updates that address this issue. And if you're a developer or someone interested in contributing to Expensify, this bug presents a great opportunity to get involved and make a positive impact. Remember to check out the contributing guidelines and consider joining the Slack channel for more information and collaboration. Let's work together to make Expensify even better!