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Create External Report Database Configuration pane

A configuration is a set of options used to generate data for external reports. The ability to save and reuse data generation settings enables you to generate consistent data over time. Also, the data you generate persists in a separate external reports database, until you use the configuration to generate data again.

Configurations Catalog pane

This pane displays a list of configurations created to generate report data from your estimates.

As with reports in Report Manager, you can organize your configurations by creating branches (right-click All Configurations and then select New > Branch), or you can click the folder icon in the toolbar.

You can start a new configuration by selecting a branch in the pane and then selecting New > Configuration, or by clicking New External Report Database Configuration below the ribbon.

To display an existing configuration in the right-hand pane, select the name of the configuration in the list.

Configuration options

Configuration options
Item	Notes
Database name	Displays the name of the database for which to generate data. This is the name you enter in the New External Report Database Configuration window when you create the configuration.
Sequence	Specify whether to use the selected estimate’s current sequence or a custom sequence that you specify. When you select Custom for the option, and then click the browse button beside the option, a new Edit Grouping Hierarchy window appears, enabling you to specify how to organize the information on the report.
Options	Select the checkboxes to specify what data to generate for the external report database. Combine items. Combines items in the external report database. The resulting report has fewer items. Items are matched if all the following fields have matching values: phase code, item code, item description, takeoff unit, order unit (each category must match), price (or lump sum amount), subcontractor, or bid grid. Allocate add-ons. Select the checkbox if you want to embed add-ons into your item totals. Round quantities. Select this checkbox to round quantities for the estimates. Clear the checkbox if you do not want to round quantities in the estimates. This checkbox is available only you selected the Combine items checkbox. Include Overlines. Select this checkbox to generate data for every sort sequence overline, including category totals, description, quantity, unit, and notes. Generate Excluded Alternates. You can include or exclude items that are assigned to alternates based on the alternate status. Select this checkbox to generate excluded items for the report data. If you do not select this option, only included items are generated. Note: Overline and addon totals reflect only included items regardless of your selection for this option.
Unit Conversion	Specify whether to use the estimates' native system of measurement or to convert all units to Imperial or Metric in the external report database.

Estimates tab

Estimates tab
Item	Notes
[Columns]	Click to open a separate window where you can select or hide columns to display in the grid.
Estimate grid	Displays all estimates currently available in the estimate database. Select one or more estimates for which to generate data for the external reports database. The program generates the estimate data when you click [Generate Data].
Delete	Click this button to remove data for a selected estimate from the external reports database.
[Export]	Click to export grid information in Excel format to a location you specify.
Filter	Use the filter icons in column headers to open filter windows, where you can specify characteristics that estimates must have to appear in the estimates grid.
[Generate]	Generates the data for that estimate to the external report database created for the configuration.
Generated On	This column shows the date that data was last generated for each estimate.
Included	Select the checkbox for each estimate you want to include in the external report database.
/ / Lock State (On / Off)	This column shows which estimates are in use (locked by you and locked by another user, respectively) and not in use (not locked). You can generate data for estimates that are not locked.
Requires Generation	A check mark in this column indicates that the estimate was changed since the last time data was generated for it.
Search	Enter text in the Search box to display estimates that include that text. The search function examines all the text in the estimates grid, not just the estimate name.