Editing Columns

The columns in a materials list, the Components dialog, and the Master List are very similar, but some columns don't appear in all places.

For columns that can be edited by typing in text, double click the cell to begin editing. The following lists the capablities of each column.

ID - This column displays an automatically generated identifier for each entry. Click this column in the Components dialog or in a materials list to change the category of an item.

Use - This column only appears in the Master List and Components dialog. Check boxes indicate if each item should be included in a generated materials list. If Use is unchecked in either place, the item does not show up in the materials list. This is useful in cases where the program generates several items in the materials list but only one item needs to appear because it will be purchased as a single unit.

Sub Cat. - This column only appears in materials lists and allows you to select a subcategory for an item if subcategories have been defined on the Categories panel of the Preferences dialog. Click a cell in this column in the Components dialog or in a materials list and select from the drop-down list or double-click the cell and type in the name of the subcategory.

Flr - This column shows the floor that the material came from. It is only visible in a materials list and is not editable.

Size - This column shows the size of the item. Size can be edited in a materials list and in the Components dialog by clicking in a cell, but not in the Master List. To restore the original size, simply delete the text you typed in. For a blank cell, type a single blank space.

Description - This column gives a brief description of the item. It is editable in the same way as the Size column.

Quantity - This column is used to specify how many of an item must be found before a materials list applies information from the Master List to it. If at least that many items are found for a materials list item, the price, supplier, and other information are recorded. Quantity is only found in the Master List and is useful for applying a quantity discount.

Count - This is the quantity of an item. In a materials list, Count cannot be edited. In the Components dialog, it can be edited for added accessories. See "Accessories".

Extra - This is found in the Components dialog and in materials lists. It is used to provide extra units of the item. When Extra is edited in the Components dialog, the Count column in the materials list is updated to reflect the change.

Unit - This indicates the units used to measure an item and is not found in the Master List. When you change the units of an item, the Quantity is updated to reflect the change. When the Unit of an accessory in the Components dialog is edited, Quantity is updated so any unit can be selected. Additional unit conversions can be added on the Unit Conversions panel of the Preferences dialog. See "Unit Conversions Panel".

Price - This is the price of an item per unit. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.

% Markup - This is used to mark up the price of an item as entered. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.

Labor - This is the cost of labor per unit to install an item. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.

Equip - This is the rental or other per unit cost of equipment to install an item. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.

Tot. Cost - This is the calculated total cost and is found in the Components dialog and in materials lists. This uses the Count, Unit, Price, %Markup, Labor and Equip colums to calculate the cost. The formula used is:

(Count + Extra) * Price * (1 + (% Markup/100)) + ((Count + Extra) * Labor) + ((Count + Extra) * Equip)

If a column does not appear, 0 is used for the value of that column with the exception of Count and Price, which are always used in the calculation even if they are not shown.

Supplier - The supplier of an item. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List. If more than one supplier is added to the Master List for a given item, double-click the Supplier cell for that item in a materials list to access a menu of the suppliers that have been added. Choosing a different supplier references a different record in the Master List.

Def - This column is only available in the Master List. It indicates which item is to be used as the default if more than one item is available. Click this column to change the default.

Code - Enter a code to specify an item. This could be a SKU number of the supplier, for example. This can also be included in a schedule or used as a label. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List. See "Schedules".

Comment - You can add additional text here. This can also be included in a schedule. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.

Manufacturer - This column can be used to specify the manufactuer of an item. This can also be shown in a schedule. If this is not entered in the Components dialog, it is taken from the Master List.