Learn more

Setting up spreadsheet sequences

Spreadsheet sequences determine how estimate information is organized on the spreadsheet. Each sequence contains up to ten levels that group the items on the spreadsheet and determine the order in which the estimate information appears on the spreadsheet. Sequence names appear on the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

You can set up spreadsheet sequences for the current estimate only, or you can set up spreadsheet sequences as defaults for a database, and then copy them to estimates, later. You can define as many spreadsheet sequences as you need.

Before you start

If you are defining sequences for the current estimate only, open the estimate for which you are setting up spreadsheet sequences.
1. Open the Estimate Catalog if it is not already open. On the Home tab of the Estimating spreadsheet, in the Catalogs group, click Estimates.
  
  The Estimate Catalog opens, displaying a list of estimates in your Estimates database.
2. Use the arrows in the catalog pane to display the branches with the estimates you want to work with.
3. Double-click the estimate to open it on a tab in the spreadsheet.
If you are defining sequences for a database and you do not have an estimate open, open the database for which you are setting up spreadsheet sequences.
1. Click File > Open Standard Database.
2. Select the database you want to open from the list.
3. Click [OK].
Tips:
- Whenever you open an estimate, Sage Estimating (SQL) automatically opens the associated standard database at the same time. If Sage Estimating (SQL) cannot locate an associated standard database, you can either browse to locate a standard database, or open the estimate without a standard database.
- You can attach a different standard database to an estimate by choosing File > Open Standard Database while the estimate is open. The new standard database remains attached to the estimate until you close it or open a different standard database.

To set up estimate spreadsheet sequences:

Open the Edit Estimate Spreadsheet Sequences window in one of the following ways:
- On the ribbon, from the Spreadsheet Display group on the Home tab, click Sequences.
- In classic view, click View > Spreadsheet Sequences.
- On the spreadsheet, right-click the sequence tab, and then click Edit Layout on the shortcut menu.
To add a new spreadsheet sequence:
1. Click [Add].
  
  Estimating adds a new row to the list of sort sequences, with the Name cell selected for that row.
2. In the Name cell, type the name you want to give this new sequence, and then press Tab.
  
  If you do not enter a name, Sage Estimating uses the elements that you select as the name.
3. If you want to hide the column on the spreadsheet, clear the Visible checkbox.
4. Press Tab.
5. If you want to assign a different color to the sequence, double-click in the Color cell, and then select a color from the list.
6. Press Tab.
7. Select each sort level to include in the spreadsheet sequence as follows:
  1. Beside the Grouping Hierarchy cell, click the list button.
  2. In the Edit Grouping Hierarchy window, for each sort level you want to include, select the sort level, and then click the right arrow button.
    To remove a level from the sequence, select it on the Selected Fields list, and then click the left arrow button.
  3. To rearrange the order of sort levels, select a level on the Selected Fields list, and then use the up arrow or down arrow button to place the sort level in the priority you want.
  4. When you have finished setting the sort levels in the order you want them, click [OK].
If you want to copy an existing default sequence from the associated database to the estimate, click the Database button, and then double-click the sequences you want to use in the current estimate.
When you finish setting up spreadsheet sequences, click [OK] to save the spreadsheet sequence definitions, close the window, and return to the spreadsheet.

To set up database spreadsheet sequences:

Open the Select Default Spreadsheet Sequences window in one of the following ways:
- If no estimate is open, click the Sequences button on the Home tab.
  
  Note: If an estimate is open, clicking the Sequences button opens the Edit Estimate Spreadsheet Sequences window, where you can manage sequences only for the current estimate.
- In the Edit Estimate Spreadsheet Sequences window, click the [Database] button.
Click the [Edit] button to open the Edit Default Spreadsheet Sequences window.
To add a new spreadsheet sequence:
1. Click [Add].
  
  Estimating adds a new row to the list of sort sequences, with the Name cell selected for that row.
2. In the Name cell, type the name you want to give this new sequence, and then press Tab.
  
  If you do not enter a name, Sage Estimating uses the elements that you select as the name.
3. If you want to hide the column on the spreadsheet, clear the Visible checkbox.
4. Press Tab.
5. If you want to assign a different color to the sequence, double-click in the Color cell, and then select a color from the list.
6. Press Tab.
7. Select each sort level to include in the spreadsheet sequence as follows:
  1. Beside the Grouping Hierarchy cell, click the list button.
  2. In the Edit Grouping Hierarchy window, for each sort level you want to include, select the sort level, and then click the right arrow button.
    To remove a level from the sequence, select it on the Selected Fields list, and then click the left arrow button.
  3. To rearrange the order of sort levels, select a level on the Selected Fields list, and then use the up arrow or down arrow button to place the sort level in the priority you want.
  4. When you have finished setting the sort levels in the order you want them, click [OK].
When you finish setting up spreadsheet sequences, click [OK] to save the spreadsheet sequences, close the window, and return to the spreadsheet.

Tips:

To display a Search box for the Sequence grid if it is not visible, press Ctrl + F.

To copy an existing sequence and paste it as a new row on the spreadsheet sequence grid, select the existing sequence, and then click [Duplicate].
To remove a spreadsheet sequence, select it on the grid, and then click [Remove].
If you remove a sequence by mistake, click the [Restore] button before you click [OK], and close the window.
You can change the spreadsheet sequences at any time. Simply double-click a sequence tab to open the Spreadsheet Sequences window and make your changes. If you have already performed some takeoff, Sage Estimating (SQL) recalculates the estimate quantities and changes the sequence tabs on the spreadsheet.
Before you can use a work breakdown structure in a spreadsheet sequence, you need to set it up. For more information, see Defining work breakdown structures.

After setting up spreadsheet sequences

After setting up spreadsheet sequences, you can enter information, such as quantities and notes, for each level on the estimate spreadsheet (just as you do at the group phase and phase levels).