Model Estimating > Planning and building models > Adding questions to a model > Adding a lookup question to a model

Adding a lookup question to a model

Asks for the path and name of a Microsoft® Excel file. You can use lookup questions, in combination with question formulas, to link existing Excel spreadsheets to your model.

Perhaps you have another software package that generates information into an Excel spreadsheet, and you would like to use that information during takeoff. You can ask for the file location and later use a formula to extract the particular information you need. Two functions available in Model Estimating return values from a spreadsheet: Get Cell Number and Get Cell Text. Examples

Before you begin

If you have not already opened the Model window and selected the model you want to work with, do so now. How?

To add a Lookup question to a model:

Select a blank line in your model where you want to insert the question.
Click $image\lookup.gif$ to enter a blank lookup question in the model.
Place your cursor in the text area of the line, type the actual question, and then press [Enter].
(optional) Enter the default value to prefill for the question during takeoff.

To enter a default answer to the question, you can:
- Enter the full path of the default. If necessary, click $image\folder.gif$ to navigate through the folders on your computer.
- Use a question or a question formula to calculate the default value during takeoff.
(optional) Click $image\qproprty.gif$ to open the Properties window where you can name the question, or enter a helpful note about the question that appears during takeoff.
Set up additional lookup questions in the same manner. When you finish, click OK.

Tips:

For information on how to connect a lookup question to an item or assembly variable, click here.
The Insert Line - Lookup Question Line command is available when you right-click a line header
Once you add a line to a model, you can copy or move it.