On the Report vs. In the Report – Which is Correct?

“On the report” and “in the report” are both correct, but they express different relationships. Use “in the report” for information contained within a document. Use “on the report” for something written, displayed, listed, or recorded on its surface, or for a report-related task, depending on context and intended meaning.

Because report can be confused with rapport, comparing Rapport vs. Report clarifies their distinct meanings and uses.

On the Report or In the Report – Which Is Correct?

Both “on the report” and “in the report” are grammatically correct. The correct choice depends on what you mean.

Use “in the report” when you are referring to information, statements, findings, or details contained within the report. A report is treated as a container for its written content.

Use “on the report” when you mean something physically written, printed, displayed, or listed on the document. It can also appear in expressions involving work performed on a report, such as “I am working on the report.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the container test: if you can replace “report” with “document” and mean information inside it, choose “in the report.” For example, “The findings are in the report.”

Use “on the report” when you can imagine something placed on the report’s page or surface. For example, “There is a coffee stain on the report.” When discussing preparation or revision, use the broader phrase “work on the report.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
in the report	Prepositional phrase	Contained within the report	The results are in the report.
on the report	Prepositional phrase	Located on the document or associated with work involving it	There is a correction on the report.

How to Use In the Report

“In the report” is the usual choice when referring to content found inside a written, digital, financial, medical, academic, or official report. It can introduce facts, conclusions, recommendations, quotations, statistics, and descriptions.

This phrase is common in formal and professional writing. It emphasizes the report’s content rather than the physical page. It also works when the report is an electronic file, because “in” refers to the information contained in the document, not its physical location.

Example 1: The safety concerns are clearly explained in the report.

Example 2: The auditors identified several inconsistencies in the report.

Example 3: In the report, the researchers recommend further testing.

Etymology of the Phrase In the Report

The preposition in comes from an Old English word meaning “inside” or “within.” The noun report entered English through Old French and ultimately comes from Latin roots meaning “to carry back” or “to bring back.” Together, “in the report” developed its modern meaning of information contained within a reported account or document.

How to Use On the Report

“On the report” is used when something appears on the physical or visual surface of a report. This may include a signature, stamp, handwritten note, correction, label, mark, or printed heading.

The phrase can also occur when a report is treated as a work project. For example, someone may say, “I am working on the report.” In this construction, on identifies the task or project being worked on. However, “on the report” alone is not normally used to describe information contained in the report.

Example 1: The manager wrote a note on the report.

Example 2: Your name appears on the report’s cover page.

Example 3: We spent the afternoon working on the report.

Etymology of the Phrase On the Report

The preposition on comes from Old English and originally referred to contact with or position above a surface. Its meaning later expanded to include association with activities, subjects, and tasks. In “on the report,” it can therefore indicate physical placement on the document or involvement with the report as a project.

Related Concepts

Understanding prepositions of location and containment makes the difference between these phrases easier to recognize.

• Prepositions of containment: Words such as in describe something located within a space, document, group, or collection. Information is usually in a report.
• Prepositions of surface: Words such as on describe contact with or placement on a surface. A signature, stain, or handwritten note may be on a report.
• Prepositions of association: On can also connect a person with a task or project, as in “working on the report.”
• Document content versus document appearance: Content is generally in a document, while visible marks or design elements are generally on it.

Examples from Media and Literature

These examples reflect the way the two phrases commonly appear in journalism, academic writing, workplace communication, and storytelling.

• News reporting: “The report states that local unemployment fell during the final quarter.” Here, the statement is in the report because it is part of the report’s content.
• Business writing: “The recommendations in the report will guide next year’s budget.” The recommendations are contained within the report.
• Historical writing: A historian may explain that a witness’s name appears on the report, referring to the document’s written surface.
• Workplace dialogue: “I am still working on the report” indicates that someone is preparing, editing, or completing the document.
• Academic writing: “The limitation is discussed in the report” refers to an idea included in the report’s text.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence.

1. The final recommendation appears ___.
2. There is a handwritten signature ___.
3. The researchers describe their method ___.
4. I need another hour to finish working ___.
5. The statistic is included ___.

Answer Key

1. in the report
2. on the report
3. in the report
4. on the report
5. in the report

In the Report Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
within the report	Contained inside the report; a formal alternative to “in the report.”
as stated in the report	Used to identify information presented by the report.
according to the report	Used when attributing information or conclusions to a report.
contained in the report	Emphasizes that specific information is located inside the document.

On the Report Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
on the document	Located on the physical or digital document.
written on the report	Written directly on the report’s page or file.
marked on the report	Visibly indicated or annotated on the report.
working on the report	Preparing, editing, reviewing, or completing the report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is it correct to say “the information is on the report”?
It can be understood, but “the information is in the report” is the standard choice when referring to content. Use “on the report” when referring to something displayed or written on its surface.

Question 2: Should I say “the data is in or on the report”?
Say “the data is in the report.” Data is treated as information contained within the document.

Question 3: Is “I am on the report” correct?
Usually, say “I am working on the report.” This clearly means that you are preparing or editing the report. “I am on the report” may sound incomplete or may suggest that you are assigned to report on something.

Conclusion

Use “in the report” for facts, findings, recommendations, and other content contained within a document. Use “on the report” for marks, signatures, labels, or other items placed on its surface, and use “working on the report” for a report-related task. Pro tip: Choosing the precise preposition makes professional writing clearer and protects your credibility.