# Additions and removals

## Why this matters

A list's size only changes when clients join or leave it. Comparing additions with removals shows
whether a list is growing or shrinking, and the removal breakdown shows why clients left. A rise in
removals for any reason other than treatment is worth explaining before someone else asks.

## Options

| Option | Choices |
|---|---|
| Formats | View, CSV, PDF |
| Dates | None to set: the report always covers the last month, from this day last month to the end of today |
| Filters | **Waiting Lists** |
{.table}

The **Users**, **Status**, **Priority** and **Locations** filters are shown but have no effect on
this report.

See [Running Reports](/docs/reporting/running-reports/) for the steps.

## What it contains

The report heading shows the period it covers.

1. A table of each waiting list with the number of clients **Added** and **Removed** in the
   period, and a total row.
2. **Removal Breakdown**: for each list with removals, a table of each **Reason** and its
   **Total**, most frequent first.

The CSV file has one row per list and reason, with the columns **From**, **To**, **List**,
**Total Added**, **Total Removed**, **Removal Reason** and **Reason Total**.

## What to watch for

**The breakdown shows free text, not the removal reasons**
Removals are grouped by the **Reason / Evidence** text typed when the entry was removed, not by the
**Reason for Removal** chosen from the list. Removals with no text are grouped as *(not
recorded)*. Picking the same text from **Common Reasons** each time keeps the breakdown readable.
See [Waiting List Reasons](/docs/waiting-lists/waiting-list-reasons/).

**The period can't be changed**
Waiting list reports have no date fields, so this report always covers the last month.

**The report includes entries you can't see elsewhere**
This report isn't limited by your appointment permissions. It counts every addition and removal on
the lists you choose.

## Related

- [Activity Log](/docs/reporting/activity-log/)
- [Status and Suspensions](/docs/waiting-lists/status-and-suspensions/#removal)
- [Running Reports](/docs/reporting/running-reports/)

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Source: https://diarybook.com/docs/reporting/additions-and-removals/