I know I said that the BS Estimator 2.6 would be out a few months ago, but some “show stopping” errors were found. And, while I was fixing the errors in the code I added a couple of features (or tools, if you like) that I wanted to implement. I honestly expect a complete version 2.6 available very soon.
Change your default calculator
This first new feature is the ability to change the default calculator which is accessed from the Ribbon menu or several of the Estimator’s forms, such as the Data Entry form. This behavior can easily be changed by selecting the calculator’s executable file path on the Default Variables tab of the Options form as shown in the following image.
The path shown above sets the HiPER Calculator as the default. The selection is made by clicking the button with the folder icon. To reset the calculator to the system default Windows calculator click the “reset” button at the far right. My personal preference is Calculated Industries Construction Master Pro for Windows.
After making your selection the calculator will be launched whenever you select a calculator icon. The following shows the Calculator menu option on the BidSmart Estimator tab of Excel’s Ribbon.
File links in the Line Items
After wasting too much time trying to make Excel’s new Picture in-Cell feature work gracefully with the Estimator, I decided on a simpler scheme. That idea being to execute a link saved as a note. This method allows you to add, as a note, a file path or link to a document, image or webpage. I use this to link to document product selections or pricing. It can also be used to link to important legal documents or specifications related to the line item.
When you add a note to a line item that is either a valid file path or URL the “Open File” button below the Add/Edit notes button will activate. If the note is a URL it will open that webpage or remote, if it is a file path, that file will be opened. This is handy for saving links to products, online documents or even YouTube videos.
Although this was not my first choice, it has turned into a much better option that does not bog Excel down with excessive memory usage. Adding, deleting, moving or editing notes can also be done by selecting the Add, Edit or Move notes… menu option from the BidSheet’s context menu (right-click.)
The Context menu shown above also displays the New options Export to or Import from a Comma-Separated-Values (CSV) file and an advanced Move or Copy tool. More on these features can be found here.
No more features are going into this next version of the BidSmart Estimator. All that remains is more testing and bug fixing, if required. Until its release, you can get the current version on the Estimator homepage.
Thank you for your support…