Expensify Chat Bug: 'You' Displayed Instead Of Correct Message

Encountering unexpected display issues within Expensify's chat feature can disrupt user experience and create confusion. This article dives into a specific bug where the chat header and Left Hand Navigation (LHN) erroneously display 'You' instead of the intended message 'resolved the duplicate.' We'll explore the steps to reproduce this issue, its impact, and potential workarounds. Understanding these nuances ensures users and developers alike are well-informed about the problem and can contribute to its resolution.

Issue Overview

The primary issue: In Expensify chat, when a user opens a resolved duplicate message, particularly after replying in a thread, the chat header and Left Hand Navigation (LHN) incorrectly display 'You' instead of the expected message, which should be 'resolved the duplicate'. This misrepresentation occurs in both the chat header and the LHN, causing inconsistency and potential user confusion. Understanding the root cause and scope of this issue is crucial for maintaining a seamless and intuitive user experience within the Expensify platform. This article aims to provide a detailed overview, enabling both users and developers to grasp the intricacies of the problem and work towards a solution.

Version Number: 9.2.59-0

Reproducibility: This issue is reproducible in both staging and production environments, indicating a consistent bug across different deployment stages.

Affected Tester: expensify416+da2@gmail.com

Reported by: Applause - Internal Team

Steps to Reproduce

To effectively address any software bug, it's essential to have a clear and repeatable set of steps that can reliably trigger the issue. In the case of this Expensify chat bug, following these steps will help you reproduce the problem and gain a better understanding of its behavior. This detailed walkthrough is crucial for developers and testers alike, as it provides a standardized approach to identifying and verifying the bug.

1. Go to workspace chat: Navigate to any workspace chat within the Expensify application.
2. Create two duplicate manual expenses: Manually create two expenses that are duplicates of each other within the workspace.
3. Open the expense thread > Review duplicate > Keep all: Open the expense thread related to the duplicate expenses, review the duplicates, and choose the option to keep all expenses.
4. Open one of the expenses > Right-click on 'resolved the duplicate' message > Reply in thread: Open one of the expenses, right-click on the 'resolved the duplicate' message, and select the option to reply in the thread. This action is critical in triggering the bug.

Expected vs. Actual Result

To fully understand the impact of this bug, it's essential to compare the expected outcome with the actual result observed. This comparison highlights the discrepancy in the user experience and helps to quantify the issue. By clearly defining what should happen versus what actually happens, we can better assess the severity and prioritize the bug for resolution. This section provides a detailed analysis of the expected and actual results, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the problem's effects.

Expected Result: The LHN title and report header should display 'resolved the duplicate'. This accurately reflects the action taken and provides clear context within the chat interface.

Actual Result: The LHN title and report header incorrectly display 'You'. This misrepresentation causes confusion and fails to provide the necessary context about the resolution of the duplicate expense.

Impact and Workarounds

Understanding the impact of a bug and identifying potential workarounds are crucial for minimizing disruption and maintaining productivity. This section explores how the 'You' display issue affects users and offers any temporary solutions to mitigate the problem. By assessing the impact and providing workarounds, we can ensure that users can continue to use the Expensify chat feature effectively while the bug is being addressed.

Impact: The incorrect display of 'You' instead of 'resolved the duplicate' in the LHN and report header can lead to confusion among users. It obscures the context of the message, making it difficult to quickly identify the resolution status of duplicate expenses. This can result in wasted time and potential errors in managing expenses. The inconsistency also degrades the overall user experience, making the interface less intuitive and reliable.

Workaround: Currently, there is no known workaround for this issue. Users must manually open the thread to understand the context of the 'resolved the duplicate' message, which is inefficient and time-consuming. The lack of a workaround underscores the need for a prompt resolution to restore the intended functionality.

Platform Reproducibility

Ensuring that a bug is consistently reproducible across different platforms is crucial for comprehensive testing and effective debugging. This section outlines the platforms on which the 'You' display issue has been confirmed, providing a clear picture of its scope. By identifying the affected platforms, developers can prioritize their efforts and ensure that the fix addresses the problem across all relevant environments. This detailed platform analysis is essential for a thorough and reliable resolution.

Platforms where the issue was reproduced:

• Windows: Chrome

Platforms Tested:

• Windows: Chrome

Visual Evidence

Visual evidence, such as screenshots and videos, plays a critical role in bug reporting by providing concrete examples of the issue. These visuals help developers and testers quickly understand the problem and verify its occurrence. In this section, we include a link to a screenshot that demonstrates the 'You' display issue in the Expensify chat, offering a clear and immediate view of the bug's manifestation.

Screenshot

Contributing and Staying Informed

This section serves as a guide for those interested in contributing to the resolution of this issue and staying informed about its progress. We provide links to contributing guidelines and resources for joining the Expensify developer community. By encouraging collaboration and providing access to relevant information, we aim to foster a collective effort towards resolving the bug and improving the Expensify chat experience. Your involvement is highly valued and can make a significant difference.

If you're interested in contributing, be sure to check out the contributing guidelines for onboarding. You can also email contributors@expensify.com to request to join the Slack channel!

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For more information on contributing to open source projects, visit Open Source Guides. This resource offers valuable insights and best practices for contributing effectively to open source communities.