Each Estimate may have up to 500 special items. Special items are items that are not in the Item File, since they are typically only used occasionally and are not worth adding to the Item File. In Data Files you can set-up a standard Specials File that can be used for all Estimates. Use Estimate Files to change the special items for an individual Estimate (use the Transfer Specials feature to transfer the standard Specials to a Estimate). Here, the SPECIALS key lets you review the specials that have been set-up, and define new ones.
Notes: This key does NOT take off Special Items. You must use the ITEMS key to do the takeoff. Take off a Special Item just the way you take off a regular individual item (enter the Quantity, etc.): press ITEMS (;) then select the SPECIALS category, and the specific Special Item number (1 to 500).
Notes: You may set-up a master Specials File in Data Files and/or an Estimate Specials file in Estimate Files.
You can access the Estimate Specials File at any point during Takeoff by pressing the SPECIALS key (the right bracket ( ] ) Takeoff Menu key). The program prompts you to save the current Section/Estimate. The Specials screen displays.
You can also move items from the Maintenance view into the Specials view by right-clicking the item in Maintenance view. This will allow you to take an item from your database, and modify it to allow for special circumstances, pricing, etc.
Notes: If you want to move items from the Specials view to the Databook, you can right-click the item in the Specials view and select "Save to Databook.” A window will appear where then select the Category, Key, etc.
Notes: Specials can also be accessed by selecting Specials as a Takeoff view (see Takeoff Screen Views). Specials can be taken off from the Specials view by using Copy/Paste (secondary mouse click on the Special and select Copy from the menu; select Edit > Paste in Maintenance view) or drag/drop from the Specials view to the Maintenance view.
Instructions for working with an Estimates's Specials is in the Specials.