Question Formula window
This window is used to enter the name and calculation method for a question formula. Estimating saves your entries when you click [OK].
To open: Place your cursor in the line header or field where you want to enter a formula. Enter = in the field. Right-click and choose Save as Q Formula.
For more information, click 
on the title
bar of the window, and then click a field or button.
Tips:
- To resize the window, drag one side of the frame.
- This window is also available by clicking [Save as Q Formula] on the Calculation window.
- In addition to the functions available for regular formulas in Estimating, there are other functions developed specifically for working with question formulas in Model Estimating. To see a list of these functions, click here.
Items in this window
Formula
Enter a unique name (up to 20 characters) to identify each
question formula in the model. The name should be as descriptive as possible
to help you remember the purpose of a formula. You should include what
the formula is calculating and which unit of measure is used. Example:
Vol CY – Concrete. You can click 
to see a list of question
formulas.
Tips:
- Since you may eventually have hundreds of question formulas, it is important to use a consistent naming style that helps you find the desired question formula in a list.
- To make names more legible, capitalize only the first letter of each word.
Type
The kind of response a question formula will calculate. A question formula can calculate Yes/No, String (text), or Numeric responses.
When you use a question formula to calculate default values in your model, Estimating requires that the question formula type be compatible with the line type. For example, if you are entering a formula to calculate the default value for a numeric question, Estimating checks to see if the question formula you choose returns a numeric response.
Formula text
Set up the method of calculation for a question formula. Double-click components from the Calculation Element lists to enter your calculation into this text box.
Tips:
- Anytime you edit a question formula, be sure to test that it works in the expected manner.
- In the formula, questions are green, other question formulas are pink, and text is black.
- If you create an invalid formula, a red triangle appears. Run your cursor over it to view the details of the invalid formula.
- If you use incorrect syntax, Estimating displays the formula text in red. Place your cursor over the red text to view the error in your syntax.