Including or excluding lines for model takeoff

As you build a model, you can control whether a particular line appears during takeoff. By entering a question formula in a line header, Estimating can evaluate information entered during takeoff and determine whether or not to include that line in the interview. This is useful when, under certain circumstances, you want to display additional questions, generate warnings, or include certain items or assemblies. You can enter a question formula in the header of any line type.

Before you begin

If you have not already opened the Model window and selected the model you want to work with:

  1. On the Data menu, click Models.

    The Database Model window opens.

  2. Click the list button (List button) and then select the model you want to work with.
  3. Click [OK].

When you click a line in an existing model, Estimating refreshes the current variables from the items and assemblies in the database. If it encounters any changes made to the database since you last loaded the model, it asks you if you would like to run Check Model.

To set up a new formula in a line header:

  1. Right-click on the line header and choose Apply line display logic.
  2. In the formula bar, type the formula you want to use. Estimating enters the IF function for you, but you may use other formulas to calculate whether the line should display during the interview. To hide the line during model takeoff at all times, enter =NO. Examples
  3. Right-click to view the commands available for functions, operators, questions and other question formulas into your formula.
  4. (optional) To save the formula, right-click and choose Save as Q Formula. When the Question Formula window opens, you can name the formula and save it for later use in the model.
  5. When you are finished, press Enter.

Note: Hiding a question has no effect on model calculations. It simply prevents users from seeing or changing the value for that question.

Tips:  

  • Formula icon appears in line headers that contain formulas.
  • 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, see Using functions in formulas.