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Examples of question formulas that use lookup questions

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.

Before you begin

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

  1. On the Database menu, click Models.

    The Model window opens.

  2. Click The List (ellipsis) button and then select the model you want to work with.
  3. Click [OK].

When you click on a line in an existing model, Estimating refreshes the current variables from the items and assemblies in the database. If it encounters any changes made to the database since you last loaded the model, it asks you if you would like to run Check Model.

To add a Lookup question to a model:

  1. Select a blank line in your model where you want to insert the question.

  2. Click Lookup button to enter a blank lookup question in the model.

  3. Place your cursor in the text area of the line, type the actual question, and then press [Enter].

  4. (optional) Enter the default value to prefill for the question during takeoff.

    To enter a default answer to the question, you can:

  5. (optional) Click Properties icon to open the Properties window where you can name the question, or enter a helpful note about the question that appears during takeoff.

  6. Set up additional lookup questions in the same manner. When you finish, click OK.

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