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Estimate/Data Maintenance

Viewpoint MEP Estimating, version 10.2

• You can now copy Bid Export templates. This is helpful when moving from one data set to another; you can copy a data set to another data set or to an estimate, rather than having to re-create it. Use the Copy option on the Template tab of the Properties window to copy a bid export template to another data set or estimate.

• You can now assign Cost Types in Databook for items that are not typically Material and Labor so that you can specify the type of item such as Material, Labor, Subcontract, Equipment and Other prior to summary.  This is especially helpful for accounting exports.  

• In Databook, a Cost Type column has been added to the Items page with in-place and column editing.

• In Summary, on the Summary Properties > Levels tab, Cost Type is available as a breakout type.

• In Specials, a Cost Type column has been added to the Items page with in-place and column editing as well as a combination box in the Edit Specials Dialogs throughout the program.  

Estimating, version 10.0

• You can now copy a column of data from an Excel spreadsheet into various applications in Estimating. This drag and drop functionality is supported in most of the Data File Maintenance and Estimate File Maintenance editors (excluding Summary and Takeoff Options).
  Here is how it works:

• In the Excel spreadsheet, highlight the column or column items that you want to copy.
  When the data is selected, this cursor is displayed . Hold the left mouse button down.

• When the cursor changes to the move symbol,, you are ready to drag the data into  Estimating.

• Once you leave the Excel screen, you’ll see the dragging symbol, to let you know you have successfully grabbed the data and can now drop it into your Estimating grid by releasing the mouse button. The data will be copied into the grid at the last location your cursor was placed.

Here is where drag/drop (copy & paste) is available within Estimating:

• Assemblies:

• the left-hand tree supports drag/drop in the Description field for assembly names and key names

• the grid in Description, Multiplier, and the Factor columns

• Databook:

• Category nodes support drag/drop on all three columns (Description, Manufacturer, Comment)

• Keys support drag/drop only on Description

• Levels:

• Level Types support drag/drop in ID, Description, and Comment

• Levels support all columns except  #

• Phases:

• Code and Description columns support drag/drop

• Sections:

• All columns except  #

• Sizes:

• Size Description column

• Specials:

• All columns except Index, Category, Category Name,and all Subtotal Name columns

• Subtotal columns allow drag-drop of indexes, but a cell will ignore the drop if the dropped value cannot be converted to a valid subtotal index. (Note that a valid index can reference a blank subtotal.)

• Unit columns (Material, Field, etc) allow the words Skip, Quote, Manual, and FBO to translate into those values. If the words are misspelled, or if the cell contains additional text (e.g. "FBO value"), then the value defaults to Manual.

• Subtotals:

• Description, Factor and Phase# columns

• Phase # columns will set the Phase for any cell value that is convertible to a valid Phase index. (Note that a valid Phase index can point to a blank Phase.)

• Places where drag/drop or copy/paste does not work will show the cannot copy icon, .

Estimating, version 9.4

• Price Update error log reporting has been updated to include a separation between data sets to make information easier to find. Each data set will be divided by a three line header.

Estimating, version 9.2

• Two new pricing codes have been added to the data set: [UPC2, Vendor2, Buyer2] and [UPC3, Vendor3, Buyer3].

• The price Code Names may be customized in the Edit Profile window. From the main Estimating window, select Data >> Profile. Select the Code Names tab to enter a new Display Name.

Estimating, version 9.0

• When saving Datasets, the Dataset name is now used as the default file name. Previously, the default filename used was built around the slot in which slot the Dataset was located.