Here are some tips and tricks that will help to get the most out of your construction software. Subjects include cost estimating, job costing, accounting, takeoff and measurement, digitizers and more. Many of the tips are the result of user comments and suggestions, our responses and attempts to take the issue a further step to higher productivity.

As always, feel free to email us with your comments and suggestions.

Subject: MS Excel based cost estimators

When you start any GeneralCOST Estimator (or the other MS Excel based estimator) with Excel, you do not see the menu inserted among the standard Excel menu system. Why?

For MS Excel 2000/2003 Users:

This is because your macro security is set to "High". Excel's "High" level macro security will not allow Excel macros to run on the computer. The standard setting is "Medium". If your setting is at "High", you should switch to "Medium" security in order to run the Estimator.

To change level of security:

> In the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Security.

> Click the Security Level tab, and then click the option you prefer.

Excel's "Medium" level macro security warns users when files with macros are opened. At this point, click on "Enable Macros" button. When GeneralCOST Estimator opens, the program menu will be inserted among the Excel menu system between "Window" and "Help".

For MS Excel 2007 Users:

When you start the program, Excel security warning that says "Some active content has been disabled" will appear. Click on "Options" button next to this warning, then select “Enable This Content” and click OK.

This will allow the program to run on MS Excel 2007. When GeneralCOST Estimator opens, the program menu can be accessed by clicking on Excel's "Add-Ins" menu.

Subject: Visual Estimator

To transfer data created with Visual Estimator to construction financial accounting software, use the new "Estimate Data Template" report available from the Reports menu. The format will allow estimated cost items to be merged into financial accounting accounts for easy transfer.

Subject: GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel

With GeneralCOST Estimator, you can easily change tab labels. Just right-click on the tab label, select "Rename", then write new name. Remember not to use disallowed characters: \ / ? * [ ] : + - (space)

Subject: GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel, RemodelCOST Estimator for Excel

When cost items are imported into the Estimate worksheet using Lookup screen, Quantity is indicated as one (1.00). To modify quantity, first click anywhere on the row, then click GeneralCOST menu (RemodelCOST menu) and select "Edit Cost Item". This will open the edit cost item dialog. Enter your changes then click on OK button to save.

Subject: Visual Estimator

In the estimate worksheet, click on the "Quantity" cell ellipsis and Visual Estimator's new Takeoff Module shall open. Carry out Count, Linear, Area or Volume takeoff calculations and click OK. The computed data shall automatically transfer to the original "Quantity" cell.

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