diff --git a/basico/model_info.py b/basico/model_info.py
index 94354d1..55fd220 100644
--- a/basico/model_info.py
+++ b/basico/model_info.py
@@ -1010,6 +1010,18 @@ def set_plot_dict(plot_spec, active=True, log_x=False, log_y=False, tasks='', **
 def add_report(name, **kwargs):
     """Adds a new report specification to the model.
 
+     Examples:
+
+        The following would adds a report definition 'Time Course' to include Time and the concentration
+        of S, in a report that is separated by tabs.
+
+        >>> add_report('Time Course', body=['Time', '[S]']
+
+        The following defines a report for the Steady State concentration of S. To disambiguate, that the
+         string '[S]' in the header should be used literally, we call the function wrap_copasi_string.
+
+        >>> add_report('Steady State', task=T.STEADY_STATE, header=[wrap_copasi_string('[S]')], footer=['[S]'])
+
         :param name: the name for the new plot specification
         :type name: str
 
@@ -1037,6 +1049,19 @@ def add_report(name, **kwargs):
 def set_report_dict(spec, precision=None, separator=None, table=None,
                     print_headers=True, header=None, body=None, footer=None, task=None, comment=None, **kwargs):
     """Sets properties of the named report definition.
+    
+        Examples:
+        
+        The following would set a report definition 'Time Course' to include Time and the concentration
+        of S, in a report that is separated by tabs. 
+        
+        >>> set_report_dict('Time Course', body=['Time', '[S]']
+
+        The following defines a report for the Steady State concentration of S. To disambiguate, that the
+         string '[S]' in the header should be used literally, we call the function wrap_copasi_string.
+
+        >>> set_report_dict('Steady State', task=T.STEADY_STATE, header=[wrap_copasi_string('[S]')], footer=['[S]'])
+
 
         :param spec: the name, index or report definition object
         :type spec: Union[str,int,COPASI.CReportDefinition]
@@ -1048,7 +1073,10 @@ def set_report_dict(spec, precision=None, separator=None, table=None,
         :type separator: Optional[str]
 
         :param table: a list of CNs or display names of elements to collect in a table. If `table` is specified
-              the header, body, footer argument will be ignored
+              the header, body, footer argument will be ignored. Note that setting table elements is only 
+              useful for tasks that generate output *during* the task. If that is not the case, you will have
+              to specify the footer and header element directly.
+        
         :type table: [str]
 
         :param print_headers: optional arguments, indicating whether table headers will be printed (only applies
@@ -1149,11 +1177,19 @@ def _set_report_vector(vec, list_of_cns, dm):
             vec.append(COPASI.CRegisteredCommonName(obj.getCN()))
             continue
 
-        if not item.startswith('String='):
-            item = 'String=' + item
+        if not item.startswith('String=') and not item.startswith('Separator='):
+            item = wrap_copasi_string(item)
         vec.append(COPASI.CRegisteredCommonName(item))
 
 
+def wrap_copasi_string(text):
+    """ Utility function wrapping the given text into a COPASI string
+
+    :param text: the text to wrap
+    :return: an escaped COPASI string, that can be used in reports
+    """
+    return 'String=' + COPASI.CCommonName.escape(text)
+
 def _replace_names_with_cns(expression, **kwargs):
     """ replaces all names in the given expression with cns
 
diff --git a/tests/test_model_manipulation.py b/tests/test_model_manipulation.py
index cfe4bf0..e7d339a 100644
--- a/tests/test_model_manipulation.py
+++ b/tests/test_model_manipulation.py
@@ -256,7 +256,11 @@ def test_add_report(self):
         basico.add_report('Silly Report', footer=[
             'String=test',
             'test2',
-            '\n'
+            '\n',
+            'String=\\[0\\,1\\]',
+            '[0,1]',
+            basico.wrap_copasi_string('[S]'),
+            'Separator=\t'
         ], comment="""report with strings at the end""")
         r = basico.get_report_dict('Silly Report')
         self.assertTrue(r is not None)