How do you work leveling in D20pro?

I duplicate the character, rename the new character's "module" to indicate campaign and level. Then update the changes to reflect the new level.

Depending on the amount of changes, I typically can update a character within 1 to 10 minutes (spellcasters take the most time, since I use abilities tab for spells... I'll update all the spell's duration). I find this update method the best for fast play in game (no need to look up rules).

The one-minute approach:
I ask my player to tell me (as I update their character)...
1) any stat increase
2) class level increase
3) ref, fort, will saves
4) HP
5) skill increases (list skill name and current ranks)
6) any special abilities added

The ten-minute approach (for spellcasters):
I ask my player to send me their herolab portfolio.
I then go though the portfolio and make sure everything from their herolab portfolio matches on their d20Pro character. Updating spell duration and effect take the majority of the time.

 

If you have a character portrait on Hero Lab, it will include it in the d20Pro output file

Regarding the question, I usually have about 5+ abilities (for melee) and about 30+ abilities (for casters) in the Ability tab, which are exactly defined. In addition, I remove about half the attacks since they aren't going to be used (like attacking with the armor's gauntlet with the off-hand). Then I add more attacks that will be used, such as "Acrobatics vs CMD" to have acrobatics/tumble success/failure auto-calculated. I then add PowerAttack/Cleave/GreatCleave and combo them up with attacks so game play is quicker. Or, many-shot/rapid-shot combo for ranged players with the appropriate feats. Then add in some ranged touch attacks for 0-level spells such as ray of frost, or for some domain powers like cleric's ranged fire bolt (cleric's ranged fire bolt will also have a counter in the abilities tab to keep track of use per day). Or, perhaps the creature has a feat that alters one of their combat maneuvers, such as improved trip, I'll then add another attack "Improved Trip vs CMD" and have the appropriate bonus auto-calculated.

 

Interesting idea regarding adding to Hero Lab. While this would help in the "Attacks" tab inside d20Pro, it won't update the "Abilities" tab with exact effects inside d20Pro. That said, it may be something I will pursue to reduce my prep time down the road.

Though, merging multiple xml files together is identical in time as copying an attack inside d20Pro. And currently, I've found no way to incorporate a current creature in d20Pro with new content simply working with the creature's .d20_ctr file and the new herolab d20Pro export file. Have you found a way to do this?