The Flaws and Frustrations of AppFolio Custom Reports — and How an AppFolio Upgrade in NYC Can Help

Introduction As one of the most popular property management software platforms, AppFolio offers a robust suite of tools to streamline daily operations. However, even powerful systems have their limitations — and when it comes to AppFolio custom reports, users often find themselves struggling with inefficiencies and inconsistencies.

At RealOps Solutions, we’ve helped countless property management professionals tackle these frustrations through expert AppFolio upgrades in NYC and beyond. In this post, we’ll break down the most common report-related issues and explore how optimizing your AppFolio setup can save time, reduce errors, and improve overall reporting accuracy.

1. The Hex Character Conundrum

A frequent pain point with AppFolio custom reports is the unexpected appearance of hex characters — strings of alphanumeric symbols that represent binary data. These symbols clutter reports and make them harder to read or share, particularly for non-technical users.

Not only does this create unnecessary cleanup work, but it also impacts productivity. With a professional AppFolio upgrade in NYC, RealOps Solutions helps clients eliminate these artifacts by improving data exports and report formatting at the source.

2. Data Inconsistency in Address Styles

AppFolio users often notice irregularities in how addresses appear across different reports. Some entries follow standardized formats, while others contain abbreviations or inconsistent punctuation.

This inconsistency makes comparing data across properties or portfolios cumbersome. During an AppFolio upgrade, RealOps Solutions ensures your reports are standardized and your data outputs remain clean and uniform — vital for teams managing multiple NYC properties.

3. Inconsistency in General Ledger (GL) Names

Financial clarity depends on accuracy — yet AppFolio custom reports sometimes use inconsistent General Ledger (GL) naming conventions. These inconsistencies can cause errors during reconciliation, analysis, or audits.

By optimizing your AppFolio configuration, our experts help establish consistent GL structures and naming standards, ensuring smoother financial workflows and more reliable accounting data.

4. Date Formatting Issues

Another commonly reported issue is inconsistent date formatting across AppFolio reports — some display MM/DD/YYYY, others use DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY/MM/DD.

This lack of standardization can create confusion when analyzing time-sensitive data. Through targeted AppFolio upgrade support in NYC, RealOps Solutions helps unify your reporting settings for consistency across all departments.

5. Blank First Rows and Unwanted Total Rows

Small details can create big frustrations. Many users note that AppFolio custom reports often include a blank first row, which complicates sorting and filtering. Similarly, automatic total rows at the end of reports can disrupt workflows when exporting data to Excel or Google Sheets.

Our NYC-based AppFolio specialists can customize your reporting output to eliminate unnecessary rows, simplify sorting, and streamline analysis.

Conclusion: Enhance Your AppFolio Reporting Experience

While AppFolio remains a powerful property management tool, its custom reporting features can be improved. Common frustrations — from hex characters and inconsistent data formatting to blank rows and naming discrepancies — hinder efficiency and accuracy.

If you’re facing these challenges, it may be time to consider an AppFolio upgrade in NYC with RealOps Solutions. Our experts specialize in refining AppFolio setups, enhancing reporting accuracy, and helping property management companies in NYC get the most out of their software investment.

👉 Contact us today to discuss your AppFolio reporting challenges and discover how our team can optimize your system for cleaner data, faster reporting, and smarter decisions.