User Guide

This guide is based on the latest version of DishTrack, available on the App Store and the Google Play Store.

Welcome to DishTrack™! This guide will help you make the most of the app to track, manage, and organize your Fiesta® dishware collection.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started
2. App Overview
3. 🔍 Searching Your Collection
4. 🏷️ Shape History & "Formerly Known As"
5. Managing Your Inventory
6. Sorting & Filtering Your Inventory
7. Using the Wishlist
8. 📊 Collection Completeness
9. Data Updates
10. Backing Up & Exporting
11. Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

First Launch Experience

On first launch, you'll see a welcome splash message saying "Welcome to Fiesta® Collection!" Tap "Let's go" to continue.

You'll then be prompted to import your existing inventory from a CSV file. If you have your inventory in CSV format, choose "Import"; otherwise, tap "Skip" to add items manually.

After onboarding, you'll see the main inventory screen, pre-loaded with the complete official Fiesta reference database including all shapes, colors, and their availability, so you can start adding your collection right away.

CSV Import Format

If you have your inventory in Excel or another spreadsheet, you can easily import it into the app!

📋 For complete step-by-step instructions, see the CSV Import Guide

Quick format overview: csv shapeName,colorName,quantity,condition,notes Dinner Plate,Tangerine,4,Mint,Wedding gift set Cereal Bowl,Lapis,2,Good, Coffee Mug,Scarlet,1,Excellent,Birthday present

Key requirements: - Use exact shape and color names as they appear in the app - Quantity must be a positive number
- Condition and notes are optional - The app provides detailed error messages for any import issues

📥 Download CSV template to get started with the correct format.

App Overview

The app has four main sections, accessible from the bottom navigation bar:

• Dashboard: Collection overview, quick stats, and global search
• Inventory: Track the Fiesta items you own
• Wishlist: Keep track of items you want to add to your collection
• Completeness: See how complete your collection is by shape or color

The app also includes management tools accessible from the Gear Menu (⚙️) in the app bar:

• Check for Data Updates: Download the latest shapes, colors, and availability data
• Backup Manager: Create, restore, and manage local database backups
• Export Collection: Export your full collection as JSON (with optional photo archive)
• Import Inventory (CSV): Import items from a spreadsheet CSV file
• Import Inventory (JSON): Import from a previous DishTrack JSON export
• About DishTrack: App version and data version information

🔍 Searching Your Collection

The app includes comprehensive search functionality to help you quickly find specific items in your collection.

Dashboard Global Search

The Dashboard now features a powerful global search that lets you search your entire collection from the main screen:

How to Use Dashboard Search

1. Open the Dashboard (main screen when you open the app)
2. Look for the search bar at the top with placeholder text "Search your collection..."
3. Start typing any keywords related to what you're looking for
4. Watch results appear instantly as you type

What You Can Search For

• Shape names: "dinner plate", "bistro bowl", "teapot"
• Color names: "scarlet", "peacock", "lapis"
• Conditions: "excellent", "good", "mint"
• Notes: Any text you've added in personal notes
• Decal types: "holiday", "christmas", "floral"
• Categories: "plates", "bowls", "mugs"

Dashboard Search Features

• Hides dashboard content during search for focused experience
• Rich result cards showing all item details (shape, color, quantity, condition, notes, decals)
• Quick actions on each result:
  • Edit button: Jump directly to edit that item
  • Inventory button: Navigate to inventory tab to see the item in context
• Tap to edit: Tap anywhere on a result card to open the edit dialog
• Result counts: See exactly how many items match (e.g., "5 results for 'scarlet'")

Inventory Tab Search

The Inventory tab includes its own powerful search functionality:

How to Use Inventory Search

1. Go to the Inventory tab (bottom navigation)
2. Look for the search bar at the top with placeholder text "Search inventory (shape, color, notes, condition...)"
3. Start typing to filter your inventory in real-time
4. See filtered results instantly grouped by category

Inventory Search Features

• Real-time filtering as you type (with optimized performance)
• Category preservation: When searching, items remain organized by categories like "Plates", "Bowls", etc.
• Smart result display: Shows "X results for 'your search'" when filtering
• Maintains all inventory features: Edit, delete, and view "Formerly Known As" information in search results

Search Tips & Examples

Effective Search Strategies

• Use partial words: "tea" will find teapots, teacups, tea sets
• Combine keywords: "scarlet mug" finds Scarlet-colored mugs
• Search conditions: "excellent" finds all items in excellent condition
• Find decals: "decal" or "holiday" finds items with decorative elements
• Search notes: Any text you've added in notes is searchable

Real-World Examples

"bistro" → Finds all Bistro shapes (including formerly known as names) "22 oz" → Finds items by size across all shape names "wedding" → Finds items with "wedding" in notes "excellent scarlet" → Finds Scarlet items in excellent condition "christmas decal" → Finds holiday-themed items with decals

Search Across All Tabs

The comprehensive search functionality works across all major areas of the app:

• Dashboard Search: Global search across your entire collection
• Inventory Search: Focused search within your owned items
• Wishlist Search: Targeted search through your wishlist items including decal information

All search implementations share the same powerful features: real-time filtering, smart result display, and performance optimization.

Empty Search States

When no results are found, the app provides helpful guidance: - Clear messaging: "No items found for 'your search'" - Suggestions: "Try different keywords or check spelling" - Easy reset: Clear button (X) to reset search

Performance & Focus

• Smooth typing: Optimized debouncing prevents lag or focus loss
• Fast results: Search works efficiently even with large collections
• Smart updates: Only updates results when needed to maintain smooth performance

🏷️ Shape History & "Formerly Known As"

The app tracks the complete naming history of Fiesta shapes and automatically handles shape name changes.

What This Feature Solves

Fiesta Tableware frequently renames shapes, which can confuse collectors: - Is "Bowl, Bistro - Small (22 oz.)" the same as "Bowl, Bistro - Small/Cereal (Coupe) (22 oz.)"? → Yes! The app shows you this connection. - Did I already track this shape under a different name? → The app automatically migrates your inventory. - What was this item called before? → The app shows you the complete naming history.

How It Works

Automatic Inventory Migration

When Fiesta renames a shape and you update your data: 1. Smart Detection: The app identifies renamed shapes 2. Automatic Migration: Your inventory items are automatically updated to use the new name 3. Zero Data Loss: Quantities, conditions, notes, and all details are preserved 4. Clear Notifications: You see exactly what changed with before/after details: 📝 Naming Updates Applied 'Bowl, Bistro - Small (22 oz.)' → 'Bowl, Bistro - Small/Cereal (Coupe) (22 oz.)' 1 item updated in your inventory

"Formerly Known As" Display

In your inventory, you'll see historical naming information: - Blue history icon (🕘) next to items with naming history - "Formerly Known As:" text showing previous names - Educational context about how Fiesta's taxonomy has evolved

Where You'll See This Information

Inventory Tab

• Individual items: Look for blue "Formerly Known As:" text under item details
• Search results: Historical names are included in search, so searching "bistro small" finds items now called "bistro small/cereal"

Add/Edit Dialogs

• Shape selection: When selecting shapes, you'll see "Formerly Known As:" information displayed
• Context awareness: Understand the full history of the shape you're working with

Educational Value

This feature provides valuable collector education: - Learn Fiesta's evolution: Understand how Homer Laughlin has refined their product naming over time - Historical context: See the complete naming journey of your favorite shapes - Expert knowledge: Access information typically known only by advanced collectors - Collection insights: Discover connections between items you might not have noticed

Example in Action

Before Update: - Your inventory: "Bowl, Bistro - Small (22 oz.)" × 2

After Fiesta Renames and You Update Data: - Automatic migration notification: 📝 Naming Updates Applied 'Bowl, Bistro - Small (22 oz.)' → 'Bowl, Bistro - Small/Cereal (Coupe) (22 oz.)' 2 items updated in your inventory

In Your Updated Inventory: Bowl, Bistro - Small/Cereal (Coupe) (22 oz.) Color: Tangerine • Qty: 2 • Excellent 🕘 Formerly Known As: Bowl, Bistro - Small (22 oz.)

Technical Implementation

• Database Schema Version 7: Safely stores shape naming history
• JSON Format: Flexible storage supports multiple name changes over time
• Performance Optimized: No impact on app speed - information only loads when relevant
• Error Handling: Robust system handles malformed data gracefully

Future-Proof Design

• Unlimited History: Can track as many name changes as Fiesta makes
• Extensible Format: Ready for additional metadata about naming changes
• Community Knowledge: Builds a comprehensive database of Fiesta's naming evolution

Managing Your Inventory

Adding Items to Your Inventory

1. From the Inventory tab, tap the "+" button in the app bar or the floating action button
2. Select Shape: Choose from the dropdown menu (shapes are organized by category like "Plates", "Bowls", etc.)
3. Select Color: Choose from the dropdown menu with color swatches for visual reference
4. Enter Quantity: Specify how many of this item you own (defaults to 1)
5. Select Condition: Choose from the dropdown — Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor (optional)
6. Add Notes: Optionally add any additional notes about the item
7. Has Decal?: Check this if the item features a decorative element (e.g., Holly, Shamrock, Dots)
8. Decal Type: If "Has Decal" is checked, enter a description of the decal
9. Add Photo: Optionally attach a photo from your camera or photo library
10. Tap "Add" to save the item to your inventory

Viewing Your Inventory

Your inventory is displayed as a list showing: - Shape name and category - Color name with visual swatch - Quantity owned - Condition (if specified) - Notes (if added)

The list updates automatically when you add, edit, or remove items.

Editing Items

To modify an existing inventory item: 1. Tap anywhere on the item in your inventory list 2. The edit dialog will open with all current information pre-filled 3. Modify any details you want to change: - Shape: Select a different shape from the dropdown - Color: Select a different color from the dropdown - Quantity: Change the quantity you own - Condition: Update the condition (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor) - Notes: Add or modify notes about the item - Has Decal / Decal Type: Update decal information - Photo: Add, change, or remove the item photo 4. Tap "Update" to save your changes 5. You'll see a confirmation message that the item was updated

Deleting Items

To remove an item from your inventory: 1. Find the item in your inventory list 2. Tap the trash icon on the right side of the item 3. Confirm deletion in the dialog that appears 4. The item will be removed and you'll see a confirmation message

Sorting & Filtering Your Inventory

The Inventory tab includes sort and filter controls to help you navigate large collections.

Sort Options

Tap the sort control to order your inventory by:

• Shape A → Z (default)
• Shape Z → A
• Color A → Z
• Color Z → A

Filter Options

Use the filter controls to narrow your inventory to exactly what you want to see. Active filters appear as removable chips below the search bar.

• Era: All / Post-86 / Vintage — filter by the era the color belongs to
• Shape: Show only items of a specific shape
• Color: Show only items in a specific color
• Has Decal: Show only items with decorative decals

Filters can be combined — e.g., filter by Era: Post-86 and Has Decal to see only post-1986 pieces with decals. Tap the × on any filter chip to remove it.

Using the Wishlist

The Wishlist has been completely redesigned with powerful search, organization, and visual enhancements to match the sophistication of the inventory system.

🔍 Wishlist Search

The Wishlist now includes comprehensive search functionality to help you quickly find specific items in your wishlist:

How to Use Wishlist Search

1. Go to the Wishlist tab (bottom navigation)
2. Look for the search bar at the top with placeholder text "Search wishlist..."
3. Start typing to filter your wishlist in real-time
4. See filtered results instantly organized by category

What You Can Search For

• Shape names: "dinner plate", "bistro bowl", "teapot"
• Color names: "scarlet", "peacock", "lapis"
• Notes: Any text you've added about where you saw it, price, priority, etc.
• Categories: "plates", "bowls", "serveware"

Wishlist Search Features

• Real-time filtering as you type with optimized performance
• Category preservation: Search results remain organized by categories
• Smart result display: Shows "X results for 'your search'" when filtering
• Maintains all wishlist features: Move to inventory, delete, and edit functions work in search results

📊 Wishlist Statistics Dashboard

At the top of your wishlist, you'll see a comprehensive statistics summary:

• Total Items: Complete count of all wishlist items
• Categories: Number of different categories represented
• Unique Colors: Count of distinct colors in your wishlist
• Visual Design: Clean, card-based layout with clear metrics

This dashboard helps you understand the scope and diversity of your collecting goals at a glance.

🗂️ Category Organization

Your wishlist is now automatically organized by category with collapsible sections:

Category Grouping Features

• Automatic Organization: Items are grouped by category (Dinnerware, Serveware, etc.)
• Collapsible Sections: Tap category headers to expand/collapse sections
• Item Counts: Each category shows how many items it contains
• Visual Hierarchy: Clear section headers with consistent styling

Categories Include

• Dinnerware: Plates, bowls, cups, and dining essentials
• Serveware: Serving pieces, platters, and entertaining items
• Specialty Items: Unique pieces and collectibles
• And more: All official Fiesta categories are supported

🎨 Enhanced Visual Design

The wishlist now features beautiful visual enhancements:

Color Indicators

• Actual Fiesta Colors: Each item shows a color swatch using the real Fiesta hex color
• Visual Recognition: Quickly identify items by their authentic color representation
• Consistent Design: Matches the visual style throughout the app

Improved Layout

• Clean Card Design: Each item is displayed in a well-organized card format
• Clear Typography: Enhanced readability with proper text hierarchy
• Intuitive Icons: Easy-to-understand action buttons and status indicators

🔍 Smart Empty States

When your wishlist is empty or search returns no results:

• Helpful Guidance: Clear messaging about what to do next
• Search Suggestions: When no search results are found, helpful tips for refining your search
• Encouraging Messages: Positive messaging to help you start building your wishlist

Adding Items to Your Wishlist

🎨 Enhanced Add to Wishlist Experience

The Add to Wishlist dialog features the same sophisticated interface as the inventory system with full decal support:

1. From the Wishlist tab, tap the "+" floating action button
2. Select Shape: Choose from the professional category-grouped dropdown with search functionality
3. Select Color: Choose from the dropdown with visual color swatches for easy identification
4. Add Notes: Optionally add notes (where you saw it, price, priority, etc.)
5. Add Decal Information:
   • Check "Has Decal?" if the item features decorative elements
   • Tap the interactive subtitle to enter decal type/description
   • Use copy/paste functionality for consistent decal naming
   • Examples: "Holly", "Shamrock", "Dots", "Custom Design"
6. Tap "Add" to save the item to your wishlist

Success View & Batch Adding

After adding an item, you'll see: - Pink heart icon with "Item Added to Wishlist!" confirmation - Shape and color summary of what was just added - Add Another workflow with convenient options: - Keep same shape: Checkbox to maintain shape selection for similar items - Keep same color: Checkbox to maintain color selection for color-focused collecting - Two clear choices: "Done" to close or "Add Another" to continue

Professional Features

• Category-Grouped Shapes: Organized by Plates, Bowls, Serveware, etc. with search
• Visual Color Swatches: See color previews next to names for confident selection
• Smart Validation: Clear error messages if shape or color isn't selected
• Responsive Design: Works perfectly on phones and tablets
• Pre-Population Support: Can be launched with shape/color pre-selected from detail screens

Managing Your Enhanced Wishlist

Your wishlist items now appear with: - Shape and color information with visual color indicators - Decal indicators with amber star icons when items have decorative elements - Category organization with collapsible sections - Notes you've added fully searchable - Date when you added the item to your wishlist - Real-time search capability across all item details

Each wishlist item has two action buttons that work seamlessly with the new organization:

Moving Items to Inventory (When You Acquire Them)

When you acquire an item from your wishlist: 1. Tap the shopping cart icon (green) next to the item 2. In the dialog that appears: - Set Quantity: Enter how many of this item you acquired (defaults to 1) - Select Condition: Choose the condition from the dropdown (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor) - Update Notes: Modify or add notes about the item (your wishlist notes are preserved by default) 3. Tap "Move to Inventory" 4. Decal information is automatically preserved when moving from wishlist to inventory 5. The item will be automatically: - Added to your inventory with the specified details and today's acquisition date - Removed from your wishlist - You'll see a success message with a shopping cart icon

Removing Items from Your Wishlist

To remove items from your wishlist without adding them to inventory: 1. Tap the trash icon next to the item 2. Confirm the deletion in the dialog that appears 3. The item will be removed with a confirmation message

Sharing Your Wishlist

Tap the Share button in the Wishlist tab header to export your wishlist and share it with other collectors, friends, or family — useful for gift-giving or coordinating with other Fiesta enthusiasts.

📊 Collection Completeness

The Completeness tab gives you a bird's-eye view of how complete your collection is across every shape and color in the Fiesta catalog.

By Shape

Shows every shape in the reference database with a progress indicator reflecting how many of its available colors you own. Tap any shape to drill into a detail view showing exactly which colors you have and which you're missing.

The summary banner at the top shows:

• Shapes Owned: How many distinct shapes you have at least one of
• Complete: How many shapes you own in every available color
• Total Shapes: Full size of the reference catalog

By Color

The same view from the color axis — see which colors are most represented in your collection and which shapes you're still missing for a given color. Tap any color to see the full shape-by-shape breakdown.

Search

Both tabs include a search field to filter by shape name, color name, or category — useful when you have a specific piece in mind.

Data Updates & Staying Current

We recommend checking for data updates regularly to ensure you have the very latest Fiesta shapes, colors, and availability information:

How to Check for Data Updates

1. Tap the Gear Menu (settings icon) in the app bar
2. Select "Check for Data Updates"
3. The app will check GitHub for the newest releases
4. If newer data is available, you'll see the update dialog

Automatic Update Schedule

The app checks for data updates automatically on first launch and weekly after that. You'll see a notification if a newer dataset is available. Manual checks are available any time from the Gear Menu — useful if you've heard about a new Fiesta release and don't want to wait.

Contributing to Data Accuracy

If you notice a missing shape/color combination, incorrect availability, or a new release that hasn't shown up yet — please let us know! Community reports are how we keep the database sharp.

📋 Submit a missing shape or color via our report form

You can also reach us directly at john@dishtrack.net for anything the form doesn't cover.

Your contributions help keep the database accurate and comprehensive for all collectors!

Understanding Data Sources

The app uses a smart precedence system: 1. GitHub data (highest priority) - Latest releases from the official repository 2. Bundled data (automatic) - Data included with your app version 3. Current data (fallback) - Your existing reference database

🛡️ Smart Migration System

The app now features an intelligent migration system that automatically preserves your inventory during data updates, eliminating the "Unknown Shape" bug:

Automatic Inventory Preservation

• 85% Similarity Matching: Uses advanced fuzzy matching to automatically update shape name references
• Pre-Replacement Migration: Fixes inventory references before any data changes occur
• Zero Data Loss: Your collection data is preserved even when shape names change in the official database

What You'll Experience

When the app detects shape name changes that could affect your inventory:

1. Migration Analysis: System analyzes your inventory for potential impacts
2. Progress Transparency: Shows "Analyzing inventory for migration..." at 15% progress
3. Automatic Matching: Most items are automatically preserved with updated shape names
4. User Confirmation: For items that can't be automatically matched, you'll see a clear dialog

User Confirmation Dialog

If some items can't be automatically matched, you'll see: - Clear Item List: Shows exactly which inventory items would be affected - Full Item Details: Shape, color, quantity, condition, and notes for each unmatched item - Two Clear Choices: - "Cancel Update": Keeps your current data unchanged - "Proceed Anyway": Continues update and removes unmatched items - Helpful Guidance: Note that you can recreate removed items manually after the update

Migration Intelligence

The system handles complex shape name variations: - High Confidence (≥85%): "Canister, Large (9 3/4", 3 qt.) 4" → "Canister, Large (9 3/4", 3 qt.)" - Medium Confidence (≥70% + word overlap): "Vase, Bud 10" → "Vase, Bud" - Low Confidence (<70%): Requires user decision

Complete Transparency

• Risk Assessment: Shows how many items are at risk before any changes
• Preservation Count: Reports how many items will be automatically preserved
• Final Summary: Shows results after migration completes

Data Update Safety

Your personal data is completely protected during all updates:

What Gets Updated

• Shape catalog: New Fiesta shapes and product names
• Color catalog: New colors, updated hex codes, retirement dates
• Availability data: Which colors are available for which shapes
• Categories: Product organization and groupings

What Stays Protected

• Your inventory: All items you own are preserved exactly as-is
• Your wishlist: All wishlist items remain unchanged
• Your notes: All personal notes and conditions are kept
• Your settings: All preferences and customizations remain

Backing Up & Exporting

Creating a Backup

1. Tap the Gear Menu in the app bar
2. Select "Backup Manager"
3. Tap "Create New Backup"
4. The app will create a backup file and show a share dialog
5. Choose where to save or share the backup file (cloud storage, email, etc.)
6. You'll see a confirmation message when the backup is complete

Exporting Your Collection

For a portable snapshot of your entire collection, use Export Collection from the Gear Menu. This produces a JSON file containing all your inventory and wishlist data. If you have photos attached to items, you'll be offered the option to include an image archive as well.

The export is delivered via your device's native share sheet — save it to Files, email it, or store it in cloud storage. This is separate from the Backup Manager and is useful for data portability or sharing your collection data.

Restoring from a Backup

1. Tap the Gear Menu in the app bar
2. Select "Backup Manager"
3. You'll see a list of available backups with timestamps
4. Tap the restore icon next to the backup you want to use
5. Confirm that you want to restore - this will replace your current data
6. The app will automatically create a backup of your current data before restoring
7. You'll see a confirmation message when the restore is complete

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if I update the app?

No, your data is stored securely in the app's database and will be preserved during updates. Additionally, the new versioned bundling system automatically updates your reference data while keeping your personal collection completely safe.

Can I transfer my collection to a new phone?

Yes, use the backup feature to export your data, then restore it on your new device.

How do I get new Fiesta colors and shapes when they're released?

New colors and shapes are automatically included when you update the app - no manual action required! The revolutionary versioned bundling system ensures you always have the latest Fiesta reference data.

Can I still manually check for data updates?

Yes, you can still use "Check for Data Updates" from the Gear Menu to get the very latest data from GitHub, though this is rarely needed since automatic bundling keeps you current.

Is my data backed up to the cloud automatically?

No, you need to manually create backups and save them to your preferred cloud storage or other location. However, the app automatically creates backups before any data updates.

Can I edit items after adding them to my inventory?

Yes! Simply tap on any item in your inventory list to open the edit dialog. You can modify the shape, color, quantity, condition, or notes at any time.

Can I undo a deletion?

Currently, deletions are permanent once confirmed. Make sure to use the backup feature regularly to protect your data.

Why do I see confirmation dialogs for deletions?

These dialogs prevent accidental data loss. All delete operations require explicit confirmation to ensure you really want to remove the item.

What happened to the custom color and shape management features?

These features were removed to focus on the core collection tracking functionality. The app now uses the official Fiesta reference database that's automatically updated, ensuring accuracy and eliminating the confusion of custom items that couldn't actually be used in your collection.

Will I lose my collection during automatic data updates?

Never! Automatic data updates only affect the reference catalog (available shapes and colors). Your personal inventory and wishlist are completely protected and never changed.

Why don't I need to manually update data anymore?

The new versioned bundling system automatically includes the latest Fiesta data with every app update. When you update the app, you automatically get the newest shapes, colors, and availability information without any extra steps.

How can I check what data version I have for troubleshooting?

On the app's startup splash screen, you'll see your current data version displayed at the bottom (e.g., "Data: v2026.06.14.01"). This information is helpful when contacting support or troubleshooting data-related issues. Simply take a screenshot of the splash screen to share your version information.

We hope you enjoy using the Fiesta Dishware Collection App! If you have additional questions or need support, please contact us through the app store listing.

For questions, feedback, or support, contact us at john@dishtrack.net.