Options window

Controls whether an estimate is open when you start Sage Estimating (SQL). Based on this setting, the main Sage Estimating (SQL) window is empty or contains the last estimate you worked on.

Controls whether you have to collapse the spreadsheet to see the takeoff quantity, cost per unit, quantity, amount, and notes for upper spreadsheet level totals. Information at the item level is always visible.

Tip: To optimize the performance of the spreadsheet, leave this option unmarked.

Controls whether upper spreadsheet levels in the Grand Totals column display totals. This option is available only when you select the Display overline totals when expanded check box.

Tip: To optimize the performance of the spreadsheet, clear this check box.

Controls whether upper spreadsheet levels in the Addon Amount column display totals. This option is available only when the Display overline totals when expanded check box is selected.

Tip: To optimize the performance of the spreadsheet, clear this check box.

Controls whether or not estimates automatically display the last used spreadsheet sequence when you open them.

Spreadsheet sequences are custom layouts used to organize and display items in the spreadsheet according to the order you set. For example, you can arrange items in the spreadsheet by phase, takeoff order, and location. Each custom spreadsheet sequence creates its own tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet. Click on a tab to view the spreadsheet in the associated sequence.

Select this option if you want to view multiple estimates in tabs in the Estimating program (similar to viewing tabbed web pages in a browser). You can dock tabs in separate windows that share the work space in Estimating.

If you do not select this option, you view estimates in traditional windows that you can cascade or tile vertically or horizontally using the Arrange Windows window.

Controls which spreadsheet levels are visible when you open an estimate. Based on this setting, the estimate is either fully collapsed or fully expanded.

Controls whether the description of each sort level appears in the Spreadsheet Level column. (This column is available when you select the Minimize Overlines command on the Sage Estimating (SQL) spreadsheet). Possible descriptions include the group phase, phase, item, assembly, material class, subcontractor, location, and work breakdown structure (WBS).

Controls whether Scan stops at blank Sub Name cells on items which have subcontractor amounts.

If you set up the Sage Estimating (SQL) software to use factor tables, selecting this check box prevents Sage Estimating (SQL) from changing marked, manually-entered prices on the estimate into base prices.

Select this check box if you want to export spreadsheet formulas when exporting the Spreadsheet report to Microsoft Excel.

Spreadsheet formulas appear in the formula bar when you click on the appropriate cell in Excel.

For example, if your spreadsheet is set up to report the Labor Amount (Labor Quantity column * the Labor Price column), clicking on the Labor Amount column in the Excel spreadsheet reveals the resulting calculation formula as I4*K4 (where I4 is the Labor Quantity column and K4 is the Labor Price column).

Select this check box if you want to select the column and row when you select a cell on the Estimating spreadsheet.

Controls the rounding of category and addon amounts on the Totals window. You can round individual amounts to the nearest dollar before Sage Estimating (SQL) calculates category and addon totals.

Displays the font and background color used for spreadsheet cells that contain a lump amount.

• Click [Font] to choose the font, style, size, effects, color, and script for lump amounts.
• Click [Background] to apply a color to lump amounts.

Displays the font and background color used for items with no amount in any category. A quantity and price are required to calculate amounts.

• Click [Font] to choose the font, style, size, effects, color, and script for items without amounts.
• Click [Background] to apply a color to cells for items without amounts.

Displays the font and background color used to highlight all estimate items included in subcontractor bids.

• Click [Font] to choose the font, style, size, effects, color, and script for items in bids.
• Click [Background] to apply a color to cells for items in bids.

Type the full path of the folder where files are created when you print a report to a file. Your entry displays the folder in the Export File window in the Sage Estimating (SQL) software.

You can click [Browse] to locate and select a particular drive and folder.

Controls whether the Sage Estimating (SQL) software generates items with a quantity of zero to the estimate when you accept an assembly. Keep in mind you can scan for the zero quantities later in the spreadsheet. If your assemblies include conditional items, consider clearing this check box.

Controls when the Pass Audit window closes during assembly takeoff.

Select this check box if you want to use the Add New Item feature when you use the Quick Takeoff or Item Takeoff from the Takeoff menu.

The Add New Item option appears at the top level of the Item list for each Phase when you select this check box.

Controls what happens after you create a database or estimate record. Select a check box for each field that you want the Sage Estimating (SQL) software to clear automatically when you save a record.

Note: You must click [Cancel] in the Sage Estimating (SQL) software before you can edit an existing record.

Click the arrow button to select a category that pre-selects when you create a new database item. Each item must have at least one, but not more than five, categories.

Click the corresponding [Clear] button at any time to clear your selection.

Click to restore all settings under [My Preferences] to their original (“factory”) settings.

Some changes will take effect only after you restart Sage Estimating (SQL).

Select this check box if you want to be included in the Sage Product Evaluation Program (PEP). This check box is selected by default.

PEP is a product feature that lets Sage trace installations and upgrades associated with your customer ID and registration name to determine which Sage Estimating (SQL) updates are most effective to you. Participation is voluntary. Sage also tracks your system configuration each time you upgrade or install new Sage Estimating (SQL) software.

If you clear this check box, Sage is unable to track which product updates you install. You can select this check box again at any time to participate in the PEP program.