Expensify: RBR Missing In LHN On Receipt Upload Failure

Introduction

When using Expensify, a popular expense management tool, users expect a seamless experience, especially when dealing with receipts and expenses. One crucial element of this experience is the Red Brick Road (RBR), an indicator that guides users through necessary actions or potential issues. However, a critical problem arises when the RBR fails to appear in the Left-Hand Navigation (LHN) after a receipt upload fails. This article delves into the details of this issue, its impact, steps to reproduce it, and potential workarounds. Understanding this problem is vital for both users and developers to ensure the smooth operation of Expensify and to maintain user trust in the platform. The absence of the RBR can lead to confusion, missed steps in expense reporting, and ultimately, a less efficient expense management process. This article will explore the specifics of this issue and provide valuable insights into how to address it effectively.

The Issue: RBR Not Displayed in LHN on Receipt Upload Failure

The core problem lies in the fact that the Red Brick Road (RBR) – a visual cue designed to alert users to pending actions or issues – does not appear in the Left-Hand Navigation (LHN) when a receipt upload fails in Expensify. This can lead to users missing important notifications about their expenses, potentially causing delays or errors in their expense reports. The RBR is essential for guiding users through the expense reporting process, and its absence can disrupt the workflow significantly. When a receipt upload fails, users need to be promptly informed so they can take corrective action, such as re-uploading the receipt or checking for network connectivity issues. The failure of the RBR to appear not only hinders this immediate response but also may lead to a backlog of unresolved expense issues. This problem affects the usability of the Expensify app, making it less intuitive and more prone to user error. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the conditions under which this issue occurs and to identify effective solutions.

Details of the Reported Issue

The issue was reported with the following specific details:

• Version Number: 9.2.40-0
• Reproducible in Staging?: Yes
• Reproducible in Production?: Yes
• Regression Testing Link: https://github.com/Expensify/Expensify/issues/492269
• Affected Tester: Applause Internal Team
• Device Used: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S - Android 13
• App Component: LHN

These details provide a clear snapshot of the environment and conditions under which the issue was observed. The fact that it is reproducible in both staging and production environments indicates that the problem is consistent across different versions of the app. This consistency is important for developers as it simplifies the debugging process. The specific device and Android version information also help in narrowing down potential device-specific issues. Furthermore, the mention of the Applause Internal Team as the affected tester suggests that the issue was identified during a systematic testing process, highlighting the importance of thorough quality assurance in software development. Understanding these specifics is vital for the development team to accurately diagnose and resolve the issue.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To replicate the issue, follow these steps:

1. Go to https://staging.new.expensify.com/
2. Log in with any account.
3. Create a scan expense to another user.
4. Turn on 'Simulate failing network requests'.
5. Replace and upload a new image for the receipt.

These steps outline a straightforward process to reproduce the bug, which is essential for developers to verify the issue and test potential fixes. By simulating a failing network request during the receipt upload, the conditions under which the RBR fails to appear are created. This method of replication ensures that the issue can be consistently observed, making it easier to diagnose the underlying cause. The use of a staging environment allows for testing without affecting the live production system, which is a crucial practice in software development. The simplicity of these steps means that testers and developers alike can quickly and reliably reproduce the problem, leading to faster resolution times. Accurate and repeatable steps are the cornerstone of effective bug reporting and fixing.

Expected vs. Actual Result

• Expected Result: The Red Brick Road (RBR) should be displayed in the Left-Hand Navigation (LHN) when the receipt upload fails.
• Actual Result: The RBR is not displayed in the LHN when the receipt upload fails.

The discrepancy between the expected and actual results clearly highlights the problem. The RBR is designed to provide visual feedback to the user, indicating that there is an issue that needs attention. Its absence in this scenario means that users are not being properly notified about the failed receipt upload. This can lead to delays in expense reporting and potential inaccuracies. The expected result aligns with the intended functionality of the Expensify app, where users should be promptly informed of any issues with their expense submissions. The actual result, however, deviates from this expectation, creating a usability gap. This gap needs to be addressed to ensure that users have a smooth and efficient experience with the app. Understanding the difference between what should happen and what actually happens is a crucial step in the debugging process.

Impact and Workaround

The absence of the RBR in the LHN when a receipt upload fails can have several negative impacts. Users may not realize that their receipt upload failed, leading to delayed expense reports or missed submissions. This can be particularly problematic for users who rely on timely expense reimbursements. The lack of notification can also lead to frustration and a perception of unreliability in the app. Furthermore, if users are unaware of the failed upload, they may not take corrective action, such as re-uploading the receipt, which can further delay the process. Currently, there is no known workaround for this issue, which means that users are entirely dependent on the RBR for notification of upload failures. This lack of a workaround underscores the urgency of addressing the problem. A potential workaround could involve manually checking the status of recent uploads, but this is not an ideal solution as it adds extra steps for the user and may not be immediately obvious. Therefore, resolving this issue is critical to ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience with Expensify.

Platform Affected

The issue has been confirmed to affect the following platform:

• Android: App

This information is crucial for developers as it helps them focus their debugging efforts on the specific platform where the issue is occurring. The fact that the issue is present on the Android app suggests that it may be related to the Android-specific codebase or the way the app interacts with the Android operating system. This platform-specific information is essential for efficient troubleshooting. While the report does not explicitly mention other platforms, it is possible that the issue may also exist on iOS or web platforms. Further testing on these platforms may be necessary to determine the full scope of the problem. Understanding the affected platforms is a key step in developing a comprehensive solution.

Visual Evidence

A screenshot or video recording often provides invaluable context and clarity when reporting a bug. In this case, a screenshot/video was provided at the following link:

• https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5c94cd51-6356-4b9c-896e-846f480ba629

The visual evidence can help developers quickly understand the issue without having to reproduce it themselves. This is particularly useful for complex issues or those that are difficult to describe in words. A video recording, in particular, can show the exact steps leading up to the issue and the resulting behavior of the app. Visual aids are an essential part of effective bug reporting and can significantly speed up the debugging process. By seeing the issue in action, developers can gain a better understanding of the problem and identify potential causes more efficiently.

Conclusion

The issue of the Red Brick Road (RBR) not being displayed in the Left-Hand Navigation (LHN) when a receipt upload fails in Expensify is a significant problem that can hinder user experience and lead to inefficiencies in expense reporting. The detailed information provided, including the steps to reproduce the issue, the expected and actual results, and the affected platform, offers a clear understanding of the problem. The absence of a workaround further emphasizes the need for a timely resolution. By addressing this issue, Expensify can ensure that its users are promptly notified of any problems with their receipt uploads, leading to a smoother and more reliable expense management process. This not only enhances the usability of the app but also reinforces user trust in the platform. For further information on best practices in software development and issue reporting, consider exploring resources like Mozilla Developer Network, which offers valuable insights into web development and quality assurance.