Document vs. Report — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 10, 2024
A document is a broad term for any written, drawn, or printed material that provides information or evidence, while a report is a type of document specifically organized to analyze information and present findings.
Difference Between Document and Report
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A document encompasses a wide variety of materials, including letters, memos, contracts, and more, serving various purposes from record-keeping to communication. In contrast, a report is a structured document aimed at presenting data, analysis, and conclusions on a specific topic, often following a predetermined format.
Documents can exist in numerous formats, both physical and digital, such as PDFs, Word files, and handwritten notes, adapting to the needs of their usage. Reports, however, are typically structured with sections like an introduction, methodology, findings, and conclusion, regardless of being in print or electronic form.
The creation of documents is a fundamental aspect of daily personal and professional life, used for a multitude of reasons including legal evidence, personal correspondence, and business transactions. Reports are specifically generated to compile information from research, investigations, or assessments, primarily in academic, business, and technical fields.
The content of a document can range widely from creative writing to formal legal language, depending on its purpose and audience. Meanwhile, reports usually maintain a formal tone, focused on objectivity and clarity to effectively communicate the results of an analysis to the intended audience.
While any written material can be considered a document, not all documents are reports. Reports distinguish themselves by their analytical nature, often including recommendations based on the analyzed data, which is not a requirement for most other documents.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Any written, drawn, or printed material
A structured document presenting analysis
Purpose
Varies widely, from record-keeping to communication
To analyze information and present findings
Format
Can vary greatly (letters, memos, etc.)
Structured with sections (introduction, findings, conclusion)
Usage
Daily in personal and professional life
Specific to academic, business, technical fields
Content
Can range from creative to formal
Typically maintains a formal, objective tone
Compare with Definitions
Document
A written or printed record that provides information or evidence.
The contract was a legally binding document.
Report
A structured document that presents analysis and findings on a specific issue.
The research report provided insights into market trends.
Document
Can be used for communication, such as letters and emails.
She sent a document outlining the meeting's key points.
Report
Often includes sections like methodology, analysis, and recommendations.
The report concluded with recommendations for future action.
Document
Often found in digital formats like PDFs or Word files.
The company stores all its documents in a secure digital archive.
Report
Used in academic settings for presenting research findings.
She submitted her thesis report at the end of the semester.
Document
Includes creative works like novels and poems.
The manuscript was an important historical document.
Report
In business, reports are used to inform decision-making processes.
The financial report indicated a significant profit increase.
Document
Can serve as a record of transactions, such as receipts and invoices.
He kept the receipt as a document of the purchase.
Report
Technical reports document the progress or results of technical or scientific research.
The engineering report detailed the project's design and testing phases.
Document
A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin Documentum, which denotes a "teaching" or "lesson": the verb doceō denotes "to teach".
Report
A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.
Document
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Document
Record (something) in written, photographic, or other form
The photographer spent years documenting the lives of miners
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Document
A written or printed paper that bears the original, official, or legal form of something and can be used to furnish decisive evidence or information.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Document
Something, such as a recording or a photograph, that can be used to furnish evidence or information.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Document
A writing that contains information.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Document
(Computers) A piece of work created with an application, as with a word processor.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Document
(Computers) A computer file that is not an executable file and contains data for use by applications.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Document
Something, especially a material substance such as a coin bearing a revealing symbol or mark, that serves as proof or evidence.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Document
To furnish with a document or documents.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Document
To methodically record the details of
"I had thought long and logically about ... how to document the patterns of dolphin behavior" (Diana Reiss).
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Document
To support (an assertion or claim, for example) with evidence or decisive information.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Document
To support (statements in a book, for example) with written references or citations; annotate.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Document
An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Document
Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Document
(computing) A file that contains text.
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Document
(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Document
(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Document
To record in documents.
He documented each step of the process as he did it, which was good when the investigation occurred.
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.
A ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Document
That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap or multitude of documents or ideas at one time.
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Document
An original or official paper relied upon as the basis, proof, or support of anything else; - in its most extended sense, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information in the case; any material substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by any species of conventional mark or symbol.
Saint Luke . . . collected them from such documents and testimonies as he . . . judged to be authentic.
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Document
To teach; to school.
I am finely documented by my own daughter.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information; as, a a ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Document
Writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Document
Anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Document
A written account of ownership or obligation
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Document
(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Document
Record in detail;
The parents documented every step of their child's development
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Document
Support or supply with references;
Can you document your claims?
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Report
Reputation.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Common Curiosities
Where are documents used?
Documents are used in various settings, from personal to professional, for a wide range of purposes.
Can a report be a document?
Yes, a report is a specific type of document focused on presenting findings.
What makes a document different from a report?
A document is any recorded material, while a report is a structured analysis of information.
What is the purpose of a report?
The purpose of a report is to analyze information and present conclusions or recommendations.
How do reports differ in content from other documents?
Reports typically maintain a formal tone and focus on objective analysis, unlike some other documents.
What types of documents are there?
Types of documents include letters, emails, contracts, novels, and more.
What role do reports play in decision-making?
Reports provide the necessary data and analysis to inform decision-making processes.
What is the significance of the format in a report?
The format in a report helps organize information logically, making it easier to understand and analyze.
How are reports structured?
Reports are structured with sections like an introduction, methodology, findings, and conclusion.
Can emails be considered documents?
Yes, emails are a form of digital document used for communication.
How important is clarity in a report?
Clarity is crucial in a report to effectively communicate findings and recommendations.
Can a novel be considered a document?
Yes, a novel is a type of creative document.
How does the audience impact the content and style of a report?
The audience influences the report's content and style, as it must be tailored to their level of understanding and interests.
Are reports only used in business settings?
Reports are used in various fields, including business, academia, and science, for different purposes.
Are digital formats changing the nature of documents and reports?
Digital formats are expanding the accessibility and functionality of documents and reports but not fundamentally changing their nature.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
