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Interview window

This window lists all the questions, items, and assemblies that make up a model. Estimating uses the values you enter for each question or variable to determine what items to takeoff and their quantities. This window is also used to review and change values after a model has been generated into the spreadsheet.

To open: On the Model Takeoff window, select a model and click [Enter].

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:

If you are unable to access the fields in this window, the database used to take off the model is not open.
If your model contains fields with incomplete or incorrect information, Estimating marks these fields with a red exclamation mark ( $image\exclmark.gif$ ). Hover your cursor over the exclamation mark to see error details. Click to search for these errors.

Items in this window

Model name

Displays the unique code that identifies each model in the database.

Model description

A verbal description of the model, which you can edit.

Note: You can also edit a model description on a spreadsheet overline at the first level of the spreadsheet sort.

Model Reference

Enter the description (up to 70 characters) of a model. This should be specific enough to distinguish this model from other similar models. The description, which appears on the spreadsheet, lists, and reports, is required for model takeoff. A red exclamation mark warns you that the required information has not been entered.

Tips:

For a group model, use upper case letters to make the description stand out.
For other models, capitalize only the first letter of important words. In any case, be consistent.

Notes command

Use this command to open the Model Notes window where you can view existing notes about the model as well as enter any additional comments, reminders, or special considerations about this particular model. If the field is blank, simply begin typing. If you are editing a note, the characters you type are inserted at the cursor position.

There is an option to print these notes on reports.

Yes/No question

This question requires a Yes or No answer. Select the option to answer Yes, leave it blank to answer No.

Text question

This question requires a text answer. Enter your answer in the space provided.

Numeric question

This question requires a numeric answer. Enter your answer in the space provided.

Lookup question

This question requires a full file name and path for an answer. Click $image\fileopen.gif$ to find a particular drive and folder.

Item line

This line contains an item that Estimating pulls into the estimate when you generate the model to the spreadsheet. Verify the default values and enter any missing information.

Tip: Click List button to view the commands you can use when working with this item.

Assembly line

This line contains an assembly that Estimating pulls into the estimate when you generate the model to the spreadsheet. Verify the default values and enter any missing information.

Tip: Click List button to view the commands you can use when working with this assembly.

Detail grid

This area contains the following information about the selected item or assembly:

Location
WBS values
Adjust Productivity
Labor Rate Table
Equipment Rate Table

You can assign default values to the cells in this grid. Click to choose from a list of available values.

Tips:

Click to open the Default Display Options window where you can determine which cells in the detail grid appear during the interview.
To adjust the size of the grid or width of a column, place the cursor on one of its borders and drag in the desired direction.