[Doug McLean]

I actually do this workflow.

One of the (many) advantages of working in a Set is the ability to export a drawing log. One of the things you’re allowed to export is the File Path, so if you export this to either an Excel .xlxs or .csv file, Excel writes the hyperlink formula for you (showing the relative path).

Then you just have to do a little bit of work to get it into wherever you need it, but its not all that hard.

[Doug McLean]

You can also get really creative and use Excel commands to get you a dynamic file name.
If you have O365 you can use the TEXTBEFORE and TEXTAFTER commands, or the LEFT, RIGHT and MID functions.

[Doug McLean]

You don’t have to place a markup if you don’t want to.

In the Excel cell you’re going to type =HYPERLINK(<filepath>, [friendly name]).

This will open the drawing from Excel.

[Doug McLean]

Hi Gary,

Yes.
In Excel there is a formula called Hyperlink which will allow you to do this.

What you will have to do though is first break the drawing package into individual files.

HYPERLINK requires one argument, plus an optional argument, link location, [friendly name]

The Link location is the filepath; just copy and paste it in. The friendly name is just that, an easily recognizable name

Here is a really easy tutorial to get you started https://exceljet.net/functions/hyperlink-function

[Doug McLean]

Hey Bruce

At least you found the party… lol

Never too late to start learning.

Like Troy said, we look forward to learning as much from you as you do from us

[Doug McLean]

I did this with the door casings and whatnot.
Unfortunately, it took me longer to format the data than it did to do the math. Learned a whole bunch along the way though.

Next up, the wainscoting and all the trim

[Doug McLean]

I don’t think the problem is Revu, the problem is Excel and the way the HYPERLINK formula has to be written.

[Doug McLean]

Did any of them work?

[Doug McLean]

I don’t believe there is, not from Excel.
This is why you have to break down your drawing package into individual pages. That way each page becomes it’s own file.

[Doug McLean]

Vince has my brain working overtime on this one.
I could so use this on all the crown, wainscoting, door trims…. a lot of things. Save the other markups for casework or other things.
This is a typical elevation. Like I said earlier, there is a good finish schedule (which I could export) and then add a couple of columns too (i.e. crown type). Then I could definitely do some wizardry with PQ on things. Spaces are a must.

Hell, I could even kill two birds with one stone and use Dynamic Fill to do a Space and an Perimeter measurement at the same time

Damn you Vince!!!!… 🤣🤣🤯🤣🤣

[Doug McLean]

That is definitely something to think about and you’ve got my brain working on it.

This job is a HUGE LDS temple and has a lot of repeating parts and good schedules.
We’re also in line to be bidding 4-6 of these a year, so anything we can do to speed up the process would be awesome

[Doug McLean]

hmmm…. that could work

[Doug McLean]

learn the TEXTBEFORE and TEXTAFTER commands…. SO much simpler than the dreaded LEFT, MID and RIGHT…. lol

[Doug McLean]

🤣🤣🤣

[Doug McLean]

One of the things I’m finding initially is to use the Tool chest tools, rather than the Tool BAR tools.
I set us specific tool chests for the various job descriptions, that are all colour coded, specific subject, and set layers… now its getting everyone to USE those instead of the generic ones that live on the tool bars.