Properties window (dropdown list)

This window contains information about the selected dropdown list question. Use this window to enter the name, question, type, help notes, and the contents of your dropdown list. Estimating saves your entries when you click [OK] in the Properties window and in the Model window.

To open: On the Model window, select a line in the model and click Properties icon

For more information, click the Help icon available on the ribbon on the title bar of the window, and then click a field or button.

Tips:  

  • The Properties window always stays on top of the Model window.
  • As you move from line to line, the title bar of the Properties window shows the details of the line in the model where the cursor is.

Items in this window

Question Properties grid

This grid lists all the properties used to define the selected line. To make changes to any of the properties for this line, place your cursor in the corresponding field and enter a new value.

  • Question Name – Defines the name of the question. Enter a question name (up to 20 characters.) Estimating names each question in the model Q#, where # is the number of the line that contains the question. Question names appear with the question text on lists and reports.
  • Question Type – Defines they type of entry permitted in the Value column. If you select Text, you can enter any characters in the Value column in the lower half of the window. If you select Numeric, you can enter only numbers in the Value column.

Note: Enter a memo (up to 256 characters) that explains the expected input for the question during takeoff. Your entry appears in a popup window during takeoff.

dropdown list properties grid

This grid allows you to define the options that will appear in the dropdown list. To make changes to any of the properties for this line, place your cursor in the corresponding field and enter a new value.

  • Visible Text – Defines the text that will appear for the model user to select. If you entered Text as the drop-down type, the text that you enter also appears in the Value column. Enter the visible text (up to 100 characters.) This column does not accept duplicate entries.
  • Value – Defines the value that will be used by the model, such as in formulas, variables, and assemblies. If this is a text question, the number of characters allowed is 100. If this is a numeric question, the number of characters is 15. The entries in the Value column are not visible to the model user during takeoff.

Notes:  

  • You can click in the Visible Text or Value header to sort the information alphabetically.
  • Click the up or down buttons to move lines up or down.
  • You can select a line and click [Set As Default] to set that line as the default

[Delete Row]

Deletes the currently selected row or rows.

[Set As Default]

Establishes the selected row as a default row or removes the default setting from the row. The default row appears in the Model window as the item selected at takeoff.

Down arrow

Moves the selected row or rows down one position.

Up arrow

Moves the selected row or rows up one position.