# Create a FileWave Report

## What a FileWave Report answers

A FileWave Report answers a repeatable inventory question, such as which devices have an application version installed, which disks are low on free space, or which payloads are assigned.

## When to create a report

Create a Report when administrators need a reusable operational view, a source for a Smart Group, or a consistent status export for another team. Define the question before adding fields so the result stays useful rather than becoming a broad inventory dump.

## Create the report

In FileWave Central, open **Reports**, create a new Report, choose the report type, and give it a name that describes the question it answers. The video shows the basic creation flow; the related articles cover fields, criteria, and result handling.

<video controls="" height="300" width="600"><source src="https://kb.filewave.com/attachments/77"></source></video>

Choose the type that matches the object you need to analyze:

- **Devices** — list devices that match inventory criteria.
- **Applications** — report installed application inventory and versions.
- **Licenses** — review license allocation and utilization.
- **Payloads** — report on items being deployed and their assignment context.
- **Boosters** — review Booster inventory and status information.

<p class="callout info">**Start with a narrow test.**  
Add only the fields and criteria needed for the question, run the Report, and confirm the results before using it for a Smart Group or scheduled export.</p>