Instructions on how to Import and Export Estimating Link Libraries. Import Templates Included and available for download.
Library Descriptions and Template Downloads
Estimating Link is home to a variety of libraries that can be accessed and utilized. These Libraries are accessed through the Setup Menu. Click on the links below to download the spreadsheet import template for each library!
- Companies - a library of all the companies you represent or build bids for. Great for consultants!
- Customers - a library of all your customer's contact information
- Vendors - a library of all your material suppliers, subcontractors, etc. and their contact information.
- Vendor Type - by default, Estimating Link comes with a vendor type library to differentiate disadvantaged businesses. By setting a vendor type, you can report on your percentage of vendors in your bid to meet required quotas.
- Project Classifications - create a library of classifications to organize your projects in your project explorer (tree view). You can organize by customer, location, status, etc.
- Cost Codes - create a library of accounting cost codes and use them on your bid items. This usually syncs with our accounting and/or job costing system.
- Sections - this library houses all the section labels for your Bid Sheet so you can categorize your bid items and subtotal them on your proposal.
- Templates - this library list provides a comprehensive list of the import and export templates you have created in Estimating Link. Note: Export Only.
Each of these libraries can be imported or exported to and from Estimating Link respectively.
Importing Libraries
In the following example, we'll show you how to import a Vendor Library into Estimating Link. The steps are the same for the other libraries in Estimating Link.
🗒️Note: Customer and Cost Code Library Imports will require an additional step to column map. See below.
- In Estimating Link, go to Setup > Vendor Library:
- The Vendor Library will appear. In this window, go to File > Import:
- Choose the file from your directory that you would like to import.
- You will receive an Information message letting you know the files was imported. Click OK.
- You should now be able to open your Vendor Library in Estimating Link.
Column Mapping for Customer and Cost Code Libraries
There is an additional step to column map for Customer and Cost Code Libraries. In this example, we are importing a customer library.
- Go to Setup>Customer Library
- Click File>Import
. - a pop-up window will appear to Map the data to the proper fields. Click OK.
- You will be directed to a Field Mapping Window. Map your spreadsheet columns to the appropriate field for the customer information.
- If you will be importing more spreadsheets in this same manner, you can click on "Save Field Map". The next time you import another spreadsheet (must be the same format), you can click on "Use Saved Map" to save time column mapping.
⚠️ Caution: In order to use the Saved Map, the spreadsheet you are importing must be in the exact format as your previous spreadsheet import. Use the templates above to make it easy and save time by always having the same format.
Exporting Libraries
In the following example, we'll show how to export your Vendor Library from Estimating Link. The steps are the same for other libraries in Estimating Link.
- In Estimating Link, go to Setup > Vendor Library:
- The Vendor Library will appear. In this window, go to File > Export:
- Choose the folder and/or directory that you would like to save it to.
- You will receive an Information message letting you know the files was exported.
- Navigate to the location you exported your file to on your PC and open your Vendor Library spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will contain all your vendor information like name, address, Phone number, etc. that you saved in Estimating Link.
- Follow this same process to export all other libraries in Estimating Link.