Untitled
Tables Documentation EN
Inhalt
Introduction 3
Commands in each panel: 3
Component list 3
New Schedule 3
Special Lists 13
Smart Creation 14
Views 15
Levels 16
Plans 17
Rooms 19
Import part and key listn 20
Add project information 22
Tables Presets 23
To edit 26
Reload 26
To use 28
Edit table 28
to remove 44
Spalteneigenschaften 45
View value list 46
Commands in the Management panel 51
Copy to Project 51
Renaming items 52
Compare tables 54
Deleting items 54
Show selected items 55
Select items in Revit 56
Preview in Revit 57
Advanced commands 57
Commands in the Data Visualizations (Presets) panel 59
Type Reports 59
Modellelemente 60
Elements in editing areas 60
Benchmarks 61
Commands in the „Tables-Utilities“ panel 63
Numbering 63
Copy to column 64
Create cell format 65
Yes / No Edit values 66
Insert text 67
Translate 68
Commands of the Panel "Diverses" 70
Color 70
Reset graphic-overrides 70
Fill color to RGB code 70
RGB code for fill color 71
Settings 72
The settings of the General tab 72
The settings of the Customizations tab 73
The settings of the "Advanced" tab 75
Feature Parameters 77
Caution 80
Parameters with selection list 83
Use of the context menu via the right mouse button 84
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Tables, the spreadsheet built into Revit. By using Tables, you can not only create and format beautiful Excel spreadsheets directly from Revit to create templates, which you can use for other projects, but also you can use your Revit project to edit, structure, manage, etc. the information from your xlsx Tables File back to yours Revit Writing-model again. What’s more, you can use our Smart-Creation commands in Tables to create layers, views, rooms, and plans with placed views. And all of them with the refinements that give you a modern xlsx-based spreadsheet. That makes it pleasant to use BIM.
Tables: Spreadsheets inside Revit. Your perfect Revit companion: Simple, yet powerful!
Please see this help as a "work-in-progress", we will continue to improve it.
Commands in each panel:
Below you will find a short presentation for each individual command in Tables, which will ensure you use tables quickly.
Component list
Let's start from the left side: In the panel "Component list” you will find all the commands, with which you can create your own powerful lists. Tables works exclusively in xlsx format and therefore is 100% compatible with Microsoft Excel!
Figure 1 Overview Panel "Part Lists"
Revit & Excel: A wonderful partnership with Tables!
New Schedule
With the command "New Schedule " you create your own schedules in Tables. You have access to all – yes, really all the parameters that we find in the Revit data model. In addition, Tables also offers you its own parameters, such as the top edge of a part or the door impact direction, which is not available as a parameter in Revit. These parameters we determined from The Revit geometry are called “Feature" parameters in Tables, more of them.
You can create your own Schedule in Tables, just like in Revit. Select any cell, here your table is inserted. After you have clicked the command "New Parts List"a selection dialog opens, in which you can select the desired category or several categories.
Advice, and most important, unlike Revit's own schedules, tables strictly distinguish by copy- or type - lists!Specimen-You create Schedule via den "New schedule" command; Type Schedules via "Special Lists" -> "Types (per category)"
Figure 2 Workflow Create your own copy - Part list
Figure 3 You can find filter linen in almost all tables -dialogs
Tip: Pay attention to the filter cell for all dialogs in tables, with which you can operate quickly!
Selecting the favored fields or parameters:
Workflow Create your own instance - Schedule:
Select the cell that your schedule should start with (the selected cell will define the insertion position above, left cornern of your tables – xlsx Table)
Click the "New Schedule" command ("Revit" Ribbon, Panel "Schedule")
Select your schedule category(s)
Choose your parameters and fields
Done!
Just so easy in making the other own lists as well, including the type lists that you can create the
"Special Lists" command in the same panel
Fields tab
Here you will find all the parameters that we can find in the Revit database – and more.
Figure 4 Overview and Workflow Tab "Fields" Workflow Tab Fields (Parameters):
To make it easier for you to do all the parameters, we've built a global filter. For example, a distinction is made between element parameters, type parameters or host parameters and feature parameters. Sounds complicated? you'll notice right away that it's not.
By double-clicking on one of the available fields of the selection on the left - or with the plus button, you can make your selection of parameters, just like with the schedules in Revit. With the minus button you can remove the selected fields of your selection.
You can easily change the order of your selection in the column on the right with the controls.
Confirm the dialog with Ok and your list will be created with the favored selection of fields.
Figure 5 The Group Filter gives you a better overview
Tip: Use our built-in filters to get to the favored parameters quickly.
"Filters" tab
Here you can filter your Revit data in advance before it is displayed in the xlsx list.
Figure 6 Overview and Workflow Tab "Filters" Workflow Registerkarte „Filter“:
With the small controls at the bottom left of the tab, you can add new filters, delete existing filters, or change their order. The small plus adds new filters. You can use as many filters as you want.
A new filter rule can be inserted, which you can edit from left to right.
Confirm the dialog with Ok and your xlsx list is created with the favored selection of fields and the filters you set.
Tip: You can also filter your data directly in the table using the built-in filter options. To do this, select the "Show Filter" command in the "Data" ribbon in the
panel, as you are used to from your previous favorite spreadsheet. However, if you filter from the tab, only the filtered data will be listed in your xlsx list.
"Sorting / Grouping" tab
Figure 7 Overview and Workflow Tab "Sorting / Grouping
Workflow tab Sorting / grouping
Controls
Edit the rule for sorting / grouping from left to right
Confirm the dialog with Ok and your xlsx list is created with the favored selection of fields and the sorting/grouping you set.
Formatting tab
Figure 8 Overview and Workflow Formatting tab
In the "Formatting" tab, you can also edit the following settings for each selected parameter:
The first column "Field" shows you the respective parameter you want to edit, which is only readable.
Column Heading: Here you can sign the column headings of your Tables xlsx table with a name of your choice. Tables uses the parameter names also for the Column headings by default.
Included in table: Here you select any parameter, no matter the selected parameter really be present in your Tables - xlsx. Filtering and Sortingren/Group works even if you do not want the parameter to be preserved as a column in the table.
Hide Column: This check mark allows you to hide existing parameters in advance in your Tables - xlsx table. This is suitable, for example, for auxiliary columns, which you need to calculate, but you don't want it to be visible directly. However, the column is Tables- xlsx Table available, but just be hidden. Of course, you can also show and hide the individual columns directly in the Tables interface, click on the column header with the right Mandselect "On-" or " Hide".
Calculation type: Here you can set, if you want your parameter values to be displayed in the footers. For example, you can sum up numerical values. Tables is used for Partial sums as well.
"Representation" tab
The settings you can make here are to change the look of your tables - xlsx table. With the preset cell format styles, you can preformat the individual areas of your Tables-xlsx. The styles refer to all columns in each area.
Figure 9 Overview and Workflow Presentation tab
Tables is based on Revit schedules for the table areas:
Header: This is the area with the column headings
Foot parts: The "total" on the bottom -a cell of the table; this is used, for example, to display the total sum. The footer is generated, if in the "Sort / Grouping" tab, the Checkbox "Total" is activated
Group header: If in the tab "Sort / Group" groups with the activated header are indicated, a group header will be displayed
The group footer works similarly to the group header. In the group footers can also perform calculations such as Partial sums, if the Calculation type in the Formatting has been selected accordingly.
Blank line: Switching between individual groups
Straight and odd row of data: the individual Revit elements are listed here. You can format both the Straight and the odd row of data individually
Figure 10 Tables Formatting Areas
Workflow Tab "Representation"
Activate format styles
Choose the table style styles you want for each area of your tables xlsx list
Confirm the dialog with Ok and your list will be created with the favored selection of fields with the format styles you preset.
Advice: You can also format the individual areas of your Tables xlsx list directly in
Tables; or even the column-wise, then you are more flexible. The columns - wise formatting saves tables for you, so it ensures that your table always looks the same – no matter what data is read by Revit.
Figure 11 Column-wise formatting as an example of the Header area
Chart tab
At Planworks, we love data and believe that the correct management and presentation of this information (the "I" in BIM!) can generate more value. That's why each list, which is generated via Tables, has been already integrated the diagram - you just have to switch to activate it and BIM data can become more transparent, great, isn’t it?
Figure 12 Overview and Workflow Chart Tab
Workflow tab "Chart"
Activate the checkmark "Show diagram", so the three simple characters of a built-in table chart are editable.
Select your favored diagram type and data source. There is the description parameter that describes your expression of your chart and the value parameter, which represents the expression value.
Confirm the dialog with Ok and you’ll see: next to your list, a simple but meaningful diagram is now displayed
"General" tabs
Last but not least the tab "General", which is actually the first card in the dialog. Here you can set general things, such as the name of your table as well as the data source, the setting of selection of elements or whether the linked files should be also considered. If you work with phases, you can also set a selection here. If you want your Tables list to include the items from linked Revit projects, just activate the "Include Linked Items" checkbox.
Figure 13 Overview and Workflow Tab "General"
Special Lists
You can also use the "Special Lists" command to create special lists that are not surely possible in Revit. The procedure is the same as the normal Exemplar-Schedules.
Figure 14 Overview of possible special lists
Smart Creation
Tables not only offers you to read and edit almost all Revit parameters in simple lists, you can also use Tables to create things in Revit easily and quickly. With the so-called creation tables, you can instantly create layers, layer-based views, plans with placed views, and unplaced spaces – and in the future there will be certainly more functions...
Figure 15 Overview of Smart Creation Commands
Tip: Think of the right mouse button! The great thing about tables is that it's directly linked to Revit. This way we can simplify your selection by means of selection lists.
Views
Layer-based views, such as ground plan, can be easily, quickly and structured created by tables. Click the Ribbon "Revit" on "Smart Creation" -> "Views". The table editing dialog opens with default parameters that are at least necessary for creating layer-based views. These are
View Name: Name of the View
Type: View type, e.g. ground plan or structural plan (SmartCell: Selectable via the right mouse button, respectively value list)
Linked layer: the layer underlying the view (SmartCell: Selectable via right mouse button, respectively value list)
Figure 16 Necessary parameters for view creation tables
You can add as many parameters as you want, like "View Template" or "Image Section" (Smart Cells: Selection via context menu that can be opened with a right mouse click)
Once you have selected all the parameters that you need for your view creation, you can confirm the table editing dialog with OK. You will receive an empty table which is only with the parameter names. Now you can make your Table alive, defining each row to create a new view.
Finally, click the "Apply" command in the Edit panel -- that means, exactly on the green hook - and your views will be created in Revit
Levels
Layers can be created easily, quickly and structured by tables. Click “Smart Creation”-> Layers in the Ribbon Revit. The table editing dialog opens with default parameters, which are at least necessary for creating layers. These are
View: Here's the level height
Name: Name of the layer (caution: the names must be unique!)
Type: Levels type (SmartCell: Selectable via right mouse button, respectively value list)
Figure 17 Necessary parameters for layer creation tables
You can add as many parameters as you want; always remember that you can control the name of your layer via chained parameters – we are in a spreadsheet.
Once you have selected all the parameters you want for your levels-creation, you can confirm the table editing dialog with OK. You will receive an empty table, which is only with the parameter names. Now you can make the Table alive, defining each row to create a new view.
Finally, click the "Apply" command in the Edit panel -- that is, exactly on the green hook - and your layers will be created in Revit
Plans
Does the creating of plans in Revit make fun? Compared to Revitis Tables it’s an absolute spaßkanone! Because with Tables you can also use a networked table to create your plan easily and quickly.
Click smart creation-> plans in the Ribbon Revit. The table editing dialog opens with default parameters, which are at least necessary for creating plans. These are
Plan Name: The name of the plan
Plan number: The number of the plan (caution: the numbers must be unique!)
Plan header type: The plan header type (SmartCell: Selectable via right mouse button or value list)
Figure 18 Necessary parameters for plan creation tables
You can add as many parameters as you want; always remember that you can also control the name or numberof your s plans viachained parameters – we are in Tables!
We recommend a parameter here: the feature parameter "Placed View Names", with which you can also placethenecessary views on your plan. Please do not select the selection lists from the context menu here, but the extended selection dialog in the panel "" by means of the command "Values List" (see also below command "Value List"). With this, you can select rows and cells based on your desired views and thus bet on your plans to be created.
Figure 19 Selection List Command
Once you have selected all the desired parameters for your planning,you can confirm the table editing dialog with OK. You will receive a table that is empty only with the parameter names. Now you can fill the table with life, where each row defines an to becreatedn Revit plan.
Finally, click the "Apply" command in the Edit panel - that is, exactly on the green hook - and your plans will be created in Revit
Tip: Always add the Placed View Names feature parameter to your plan creation table if you want to place views on your plans.
Rooms
You can also create non-placed rooms easily, quickly and structured with tables. To do this, click on "Smart Creation"-> "Rooms" in the Ribbon "Revit". The table editing-dialog opens with the preset parameters, which are at least necessary for creating rooms.
The parameters required for room creation are:
Name: Name of the room
Number: The number of the room, as well as the
Phase: The phase in which the room is to be created (SmartCell: Selectable via right mouse button or value list)
Figure 20 Necessary parameters for room creation tables
You can add as many more parameters as you want; always remember that you can also control the name and number of your rooms via chained parameters – you use right here the Tables!
Once you have selected all the parameters you want for your room creation, you can confirm the table editing-dialog with OK. You will receive a table that is empty only with the parameter names. Now you can fill the table with life, where each row defines an to becreated unplaced Revit space.
Finally, click the "Apply" command in the Edit panel - that is, exactly on the green hook - and your rooms will be created in Revit!
Advice on Smart Creation: In the creation tables you will find many "SmartCells".
SmartCells offers you a direct Selection via context menu that can be opened with a right mouse click or via the value list"Edit" panel.
Import part and key listn
Figure 21 Import Commands
You can use the command "Import part list" or "Import key list"to import existing schedules into Revit after tables. Both the parameters and the set structure of the schedule list (filter, sorting and grouping, etc.) will be taken into consideration.
Figure 22 Workflow Import of an Existing Revit Part List
Once the schedule imported, the values can be edited and written back to the Revit model using the "Apply" command.
Import Part List workflow:
Select the cell that you want your schedule to start with (the selected cell defines the insertion position of the upper, left corners of your tables – xlsx table)
Click the command "Import part listn" ("Revit" Ribbon, Panel "Part Lists")
Select your componentlist and
Confirm the selection dialog with OK.Done!
Note: Calculated and connected parameters cannot be imported at this time.
However, you can use the table's own command "Calculated Parameters" (see below).
If you click on the small arrow at the right edge of the command, a drop-down menu for importing key lists will open.
Workflow „Schlüsselliste importieren“:
Select the cell that you want your schedule to start with (the selected cell defines the insertion position of the upper, left corners of your tables – xlsx table)
Click on the small arrow at the right edge of the "Import schedules" command ("Revit" Ribbon, Panel "Part Lists")
Select the "Key List" command from the drop-down menu
Select your key list and
Confirm the selection dialog with OK.Done!
Key lists can be extended directly in tables, in which you simply add new lines with your information (also see Screencast "Key schedule Management" in our YouTube channel).
Advice: If you make changes to the structure of the imported table in Tables– for example, by adding additional parameters, only the changed parameter values are written back to the model, you can’t change the structure of the Revit part list at this time with Tables.
Add project information
With the command "Add project information" you can insert any values from Project information parameters into a single Tables - xlsx cell, e.g. the project number or the project name. It works the same here, Tables will only save the structure, it means, if you download your table with another project, the cells, of course, will be also updated with the associated project information.
Figure 23 Adding overview and workflow to project information Add workflow project information:
Select your desired cell to receive project information
Click the "Insert Project Information" command
In the opening Dialogwindow, select the desired project information parameter
Confirm the dialogue with Ok and the project information is already in your cell
Tables Presets
With the help of this commande you can easily save your every created tables lists and reuse them for follow-up projects. This means: a once-complex formatted Tables List can be created with one click for future projects!
Figure 24 Overview and Workflow Table Preferences Workflow Saving a Table Preset:
In the "Part Lists" panel, click on the "Tables Presets" command
Then select the command "Save tables Preset" from the drop-down menu
Now give your preset a meaningful name.
You can click here to categorize in the dialogue or optional in your Preset and describe them in detail, therefore you can create a category select an existing one from categories. A description of your preset helps you or others in your organization later, possibly, the correct preset to be found again.
Click "OK" and your preset is already created and can be used for other tables lists.
Workflow Getting a table preset:
In the "Part Lists" panel, click on the "Tables Presets" command
Select your favored table preset from the list and your new tables from the Flyout dialog, - xlsx table will be created exactly as the default defined.
If you work with presets – and we assume that – you will also find pre-sorts of your presets, such as: the ones you use most frequently, or even the ones stored by category.
Figure 25 Selecting Tables That Have Already CreatedPresets
As a reminder, you can use a tables list for each xlsx worksheet.
Workflow Management of table presets:
In the "Part Lists" panel, click on the "Tables Presets" command
Then select the command "Manage table preset..." from the Flyout menu
A small editing dialog opens; here you can edit, delete your preferences, but also make them available for other colleagues in your organization by exporting your presets to an exchange file (command "Export..."), which is then issued with the "Import..."It’s can be read on another Tables Installation again.
Simply close the dialog when you're done with your administration.
Figure 26 Managing Table Preferences
Workflow Management of Preset - Categories:
In the "Part Lists" panel, click on the "Tables Presets" command
Then select the "Manage Categories..." command from the Flyout menu
A small editing dialog opens; here you can manage your preset categories (edit and delete)
Simply close the dialog when you're done with your administration.
Figure 27 Managing Preset Categories
To edit
Here you will find all the commands that you need to update your Revit model or Tables table.
Figure 28 Edit Overview Panel
Reload
With the "Reload" command, you make sure that your Tables table always matches your current Revit project. You load your Revit-Data according to Tables. You click the top area of the button - i.e. exactly on the green Circle Arrow - the already created and currently active Tables-Table with the updated Revit Model, being Data base, is now new created; any formatting, which the Tables can analyze, will be taken over or retained. With this command, you ensure that your Tables- Table always match your up-to-date Revit project.
Figure 29 Loading Revit Information too Tables using "Reload" & "Update" commands
If you click on the small arrow at the bottom of the button, a drop-down menu opens with further commands:
•
Reload Current Table
Same command such as the green circle arrow: loads the active Revit information into the current table
•
Reload all Tables
If there are several Tables tables in the current xlsx- workbook, they will be all reloaded with this click (suitable for complex template files, which can be brought up to date with one click!) and:
•
Update Current Table
This command only updates the Revit data, the existing information of items (rows = items & columns = parameters), which are already located in the Tables-Table
Update Selected Rows
Updates only those rows, i.e. the selected rows from Revit will be re-read,
Update selected columns
Only the selected columns (=parameters) are updated, i.e. re-read from Revit
By updating, there may has been added Revit elements, which are not yet in the table, will not be taken into account.
Note: Difference between "reload" and "update":
"Reload" creates the completely new table - as set in the table settings
"Update" only updates the existing information of the current Tables table or the selected rows (=Revit elements) or columns (=parameters)
To use
With the "Apply" commands, you can make changes you have made in tables (or with another xlsxbased spreadsheet program), will be written back to your Revit model again.
Figure 30 Writing Back changes in tables to Revit using "Apply" commands
If you click the top of the button - that is, exactly on the green hook - all the changes you have made in the active table, will be back in your currents Revit model written back
If you click on the small arrow at the bottom of the button, another drop-down menu will be opened with the following commands:
Apply changes to the current tables like main command: All changes to the active table are written back to the current Revit model
Apply changes in selected rows
Only the changes of the currently selected rows (=Revit elements) are written back to the current Revit model
Apply changes in selected columns
Only the changes of the currently selected columns (=parameters) are written back to the current Revit model
Apply changes in all tables
If you have several Tables tables in the xlsx-workbook, so you can write all changes in your worksheets back to your Revit project with just one click.
Again, for repetition: Reload or Updating: Reading data from Revit by Tables Apply: Write the Changes of Tables back in your Revit Modell
Edit table
Another important command in Tables is the "Edit" button. With this command you can get into the table setting dialog and can make various adjustments to your table, such as adding more parameters or working on the grouping.
Figure 31 The "Edit" command opens the table settings dialog
Settings of the "Fields" tab
You will find all the parameters here which we can also find in the Revit database – and even more.
Figure 32 Overview and Workflow Tab "Fields" Workflow Tab Fields (Parameters):
To make it easier for you to do all the parameters, we've built a global filter. Here, for example, a distinction is made between element parameters, type parameters or host parameters and feature parameters. Sounds complicated, you'll notice right away that it's not.
By double-clicking on one of the available fields in the selection on the left - or with the plus button, you can make your selection of parameters, just like with the schedules in Revit. With the minus button you can remove the selected fields of your selection.
You can easily change the order of your selection in the column on the right with the controls
Confirm the dialog with OK and your list will be created with the desired selection of fields.
Figure 33 The Group Filter gives you a better overview
Tip: Use our built-in filters to quickly get to the desired parameters.
Calculated parameters
With the "Add Calculated Parameters" command, you can add as many columns as you want with simple or complex formulas in tables – to all intents and purposes, everything your Excel knowledge allows. These can not only be simple conditions, but also complex calculations with values that you can get from other worksheets by means of reference functions.
Figure 34 Calculated Parameters" Command
Figure 35 Auxiliary dialog forcreating your own calculatedparameters
Calculated parameters can be changed later; click on the button"Edit parameters".
Figure 36 "Edit Parameters" Command
Add formulas for Revit parameters
Also existing writable Revit parameters (e.g. Shared parameters) can be connected to a formula in a consistent manner.
Figure 37 Formulas for Existing Revit Parameters
Workflow:
Select the favored parameter that you want to link to a formula and
Click on the command button "Edit Parameters"
In the opened formula helper-dialog you can now enter your formula. The parameters in your table can be selected by double clicks.
Confirm with "OK “, the input of your formula. ready!
Advice: If you need parameter values for your formula, but you don't want to see them in your table, you can either hide these columns directly in your table (right
click on column, in the context menu " ,or use the checkboxes of the Hide Column column in Tables in the Formatting tab(see also "Formatting Tab" below.
Tip: You can use any Excel function you know for your formulas! Search on the
Internet e.g. for"SVERWEIS"or "SUMMEWENN(S)", you will be amazed to find that you can do everything with Tables.
Figure 38 Output of formulas in the xlsx table
And another tip: You can also read-only parameters for the user in your Shared-
Used-Parameters-Definition File(what a great word!) to define. However, you can use tables to edit them.
Settings of the "Filters" tab
Here you can filter your Revit data in advance before it is displayed in the xlsx list.
Figure 39 Overview and Workflow Tab "Filters" Workflow Register card „Filter “:
With the small controls at the bottom on the left of the tab, you can add new filter rules, delete existing ones, or change their order. The small plus adds new filters. You can use as many filters as you want.
A new filter rule is inserted, which you can now edit from left to right.
Confirm the dialog with OK and your xlsx-lists are created with the favored selection of fields and the set filters.
Tip: You can also filter your data directly in the table using the built-in filter options. To do this, select the "Show Filter" command in the "Data" ribbon in the
panel, as you are used to from your previous favorite spreadsheet. However, if you filter from the Filters tab, only the filtered data is listed in your xlsx list.
Settings of the "Sort / Grouping" tab
With the help of the settings, which you can find in the tab, you can sort or group your schedule in a similar way, just the same as you use it in Revit with the schedules.
Figure 40 Overview and Workflow Tab "Sorting / Grouping
Workflow tab "Sorting / grouping
With the small controls at the bottom left of the tab, you can add new sorting or grouping rules, delete existing ones, or change their order. The small plus adds new rules. You can use as many rules as you want.
Edit rules for sorting / grouping from left to right
Confirm the dialog with OK and your xlsxlist will be created with the desired selection of fields and the sorting/grouping you set.
Settings of the Formatting tab
Figure 41 Overview and Workflow Formatting tab
In the "Formatting" tab, you can also edit the following settings for each selected parameter:
The first column "Field" shows you the respective parameter you want to edit, which is only readable.
Column Heading: Here you can overwrite the column headings of your Tables xlsx table with a name of your choice. Tables also uses the parameter names for the column headings by default.
Included in table: Here you select the parameter, (whether the selected parameter should actually be present in your Tables - xlsx.) Filtering and sorting/grouping work even if you do not want the parameter to be included in the table as a column.
Hide Column: This check mark allows you to hide existing parameters in advance in your Tables - xlsx table. This is suitable, for example, for auxiliary columns, which you need to calculate, but do not want to have it directly visible. However, the column exists in the Tables - xlsx table, just be hidden. Of course, you can also show and hide the individual columns directly in the Tables interface, right-click on the column header and select "Show" or "Hide" in the context menu.
Calculation type: Here you can set how your parameter values should be displayed in the footers. For example, you can add up numerical values. Tables uses subtotals for this.
"Representation" tab
The settings you can make here to change the appearance of your Tables xlsx table. You can use the existing cell format styles to preformat the individual areas of your Tables xlsxtable. The styles refer to all columns in each area.
Figure 42 Overview and Workflow Presentation tab
Tables is based on the Revit schedules for the table areas:
Header: This is the area with the column headings
Footers: The bottom "total" row of a table; it can be used, for example, to display the totals. The footer is generated when the "Total" checkbox is activated in the "Sort / Grouping" tab
Group header: If groupings with the header enabled are specified in the "Sort / Group" tab, a group header is displayed for each
The group footer behaves similarly to the group header. In the group footers, calculations such as subtotals can also be displayed if the calculation type is selected accordingly in the Formatting tab.
Blank line: Switching between groups. These too can be specially assigned with a format style
Straight and odd rows of data: here the individual Revit elements are listed. You can format both the Straight and the odd row of data individually
Figure 43 Tables Formatting Areas
Workflow Tab "Representation"
Activate format styles
Choose the table style you want for each area of your Tables xlsx list
Confirm the dialog with OK and your list will be created with the favored selection of fields with the format styles you preset.
Note: You can also format the individual areas of your Tables xlsx list directly in
Tables; then even column-wise, so you are even more flexible. The columns- wise formatting saves tables for you, so you can be sure that your table always looks the same – no matter what data is read by Revit.
Figure 44 Column-wise formatting as an example of the Header area
Extended header:
If you want the header of your Tables table to go over several rows, as shown in Figure 45 , you can change the number of rows of your extended header here in the "Representation" tab.
Figure 45 Advanced Header
Figure 46 Indication of the line share for an extended header
Thus, the columns of the rows above are taken into account, if you want to insert new parameters afterwards, for example.
Settings of the Chart tab
At Planworks, we love data and believe that the correct management and presentation of this information (the "I" in BIM!) can generate added value. That's why every list created with tables has already integrated a chart – you just have to actively switch it and BIM data can become more transparent, great, isn’t it?
Figure 47 Overview and Workflow Chart Tab
Workflow tab "Chart"
Activate the "Show diagram" checkmark, so that the three simple properties of a built-in tables chart are editable.
Select your favored chart type and data source. Here is the description parameter, which describes your expression of your chart, and the value parameter, which represents the expression value.
Confirm the dialog with Ok and you’ll see: next to your list, a simple but meaningful diagram is now displayed
Figure 48 Chart Integrated into Tables
Your created chart can be further edited later by clicking on the diagram (1) and using the contextdependent chart ribbons (2) to make your changes (3 ) – just as you are used to from your favorite spreadsheet.
Figure 49 Editing Charts in Tables
Settings of the "General" tabs
Last but not least, the "General" tab, which is actually the first card in the dialog. Here you can set general things, such as the name of your table as well as the data source, the selection of elements or whether linked files should also be considered. If you work with phases, you can also set your selection here. If you want your Tables list to include items from linked Revit projects, simply activate the "Include Linked Items" checkbox.
Figure 50 Overview and Workflow General Tab
to remove
If you ever want to remove an existing Tables table from a worksheet, you can achieve it with the Remove command. This command also works for individual cells that are associated with projektinformation sind.
Figure 51 The Remove command deletes the Revit / Tables joins in a worksheet
Select the cell to which the project information is linked, it means the cell, that is in your table and then click the "Remove" command. After that, you can, for example, create a new table with Tables.
Spalteneigenschaften
You can overwrite the cells of your header as you wish, so it doesn't absolute to be the Revit parameter names. In order not to lose here the overview, which parameter represents a column, there is the command "Column Properties" in Tables.
Figure 52 The Column Properties command
Workflow:
Select at least one cell in the column whose parameter or column information you want to display
In the Edit panel, click the "Column Properties" command
In the fly-out dialog you can now see the Revit's own parameter name, as well as the parameter type and the Revit database internal name
Figure 53 Workflow Column Properties Command
View value list
The great thing about tables is that it's directly linked to Revit. For example, the "Value List" command provides you with contextual ability to retrieve a selection from Revit. For example, you can select views directly from the Revit data base when creating a plan
Figure 54 Value List Command
Tables has two almost identical selection lists:
Via context menu (right click): A simple selection list from which you can select exactly one item (e.g. suitable for changing types in a copy part list)
Using the "Value List" command in the "Edit" panel: With this extended selection dialog, you can select several elements at once, which depending on the further settings in the dialog, can either be converted into one or several cells.
Figure 55 Difference selection dialog via command "Value List" (left) and via context menu via right click (right)
Figure 56 General Workflow Value List Command
Figure 57 General Workflow Value List viaContextMenu (Right Click)
General workflow
Select the cell(s)in which you want to insert values directly from Revit
Open the selection dialog, either via context menu (rightclick) or via command "Value list"
Choose your selection and
Confirm your selection with "OK"
Especially for the creation of tables you can use the extended selection dialog:
Figure 58 Workflow "Insert items in rows" via The Values List command
Workflow expanded select list: "Insert items in rows"
Select a cell from which you want to insert your selection from Revit
Open the selection dialog via the "Values List" command
Select your selection with the help of the checkboxes
Activate the "Insert elements in rows" check mark and
Confirm your selection with "OK"
As a result, you get your selection inserted into lines with each other.
If you want to insert more elements into a cell, you can do this as follows (use example: Multiple views on a plan):
Figure 59 Workflow "Insert items in cell" via "Values List" command
Workflow expanded selection list: "Insert items in zelle"
Select the cell you want to insert values directly from Revit
Open the selection dialog via the "Values List" command
Select your selection with the help of the checkboxes
Leave the "Insert items in rows" check mark off and
Confirm your selection with "OK"
As a result, you will get your multiple selection in a zelle.
Tip: For the creation of tables, such as the plans, it is best to use the advanced selection dialog, which you can open via the "Value List" command in the Edit panel.
Commands in the Management panel
In the "Management" panel you will find all commands that support you for your BIM management.
Figure 60 Management Overview Panel
Copy to Project
Here you can copy many items that you can show from the special lists in your table and which are selected to other currently opened Revit projects. The command works similarly to "Transfer Project Standards" in Revit, only selectively.
Figure 61 Copy to Project Command
Workflow "In Projekt kopieren":
Make your selection of elements (=lines in tables) that you want to transfer to other opened Revit project files (multiple selection with the Shift or Ctrl key)
Click the command "Copy to Project" in the "Management" panel
Select the favored projects in the project selection dialog, in which you activate the respective check marks and
Confirm your selection with "OK". ready.
This allows you to copy items from one Revit project to another quickly.
Renaming items
With the command "Rename elements" you can easily and clearly rename all elements directly into tables, e.g. Type names, Materials or view-filters, etc.
Figure 62 Renaming Items Command
Tip: With the help of your table and parameters, you can make sure, for example, that your labels always meet your standards via formulas.
Workflow “Renaming Items”:
Create an auxiliary column with values that define the new names of the elements and select these cells (rows in tables correspond to elements in Revit, It’s the door types right here in the example). The selected cells define the new name of the associated elements (Multiple selection with the Shift or Ctrl key)
Click the "Rename Items" command in the Management panel
Done. The items will be renamed to Revit immediately and your Tables table will be updated.
Advice: With our feature parameter “Element Name“, you can also rename items directly by overwriting the values and then save them back to Revit with the Apply command.
Compare tables
The Compare Tables command helps you quickly get a simple overview of changes in your worksheets. For example, you can check in advance which changes of your table have been made by external planners and only then it will be saved back to your Revit model.
Figure 63 Compare Tables command
Watch the short screencast on our YouTube channel.
Deleting items
If you only want to partially clean up your project, you can do it with the command "Delete Elements".
Figure 64 Delete Items command
Our Delete command can delete all items in Revit, that you have selected in the Tables table. „
Workflow “Delete Items”:
Select those elements (=lines in tables)that you want to clean up or delete (multiple selection with the Shift or Ctrl key)
Click the "Delete Items" command in the Management panel and
Confirm the deletion definitively in the report dialog with „Delete Items". Finished. All gone!
The items are immediately deleted in Revit and your Tables table will be updated.
Advice: Be careful with the delete command: dependent elements will always be deleted as well, e.g. all copies of a door type that you want to delete!
Tip: You can always undo changes directly in Revit with the "Back" command, even if you weren't paying attention when deleting...😉
Show selected items
If Tables is in Duo Mode (standard from version 2019.2; please find Settings)with the command " Show selected Elements" all currently in Revit selected elements in your Tables list.
Figure 65 "Show selected Items" command
Figure 66 "Show selected Items" workflow
Select items in Revit
If Tables is in Duo Mode (standard from version 2019.2; please find Settings) you can use the command "Select elements in Revit" which can be used with your line selection in tables linked Revit Elements directly in Revit display and select.
Figure 67 Items in Revit" command
Figure 68 Items in Revit" Workflow
Explanation: Duo Mode means that you can switch between Revit and Tables as you want without having to close tables. Duo Mode is super practical if you want to perform QM tasks, for example – and have more than one screen ...😉
Preview in Revit
The “Preview” command opens a small Revit preview window directly in Tables. If you have selected rows, the corresponding Revit elements will be selected in the preview window.
Figure 69 Preview command
Advanced commands
Here you will find a collection of additional commands that may help you improve your workflows in Revit with the help of tables.
Figure 70 Advanced Commands Command
Commands in the Data Visualizations (Presets) panel
Data is the King, or something like that. These commands make the "I" visible in BIM. The nice thing is, that it is „only" about Presets, i.e. once you have the logic of the data views in Tables understood(see also Edit Table -> Chart tab) , you can manually create all these views and more individually, and also you can create your own templates for your data analysis.
Figure 71 Overview Panel "Data Visualizations" General workflow:
1. As on any new list: Mark the start cell in tables where the data will be inserted. 2. Click your favored preset
3. Finished!
Possibly you may still have to make a selection in an auxiliary dialog, e.g. select the category for typereporte n.
Type Reports
The "Type Reports" preset shows you an overview of each family type after selecting a category, with the number of related instances in your model.
Figure 72 Type Reports Command
Figure 73 Type Report using the example of walls
Modellelemente
This report quickly shows you an overview of your model elements by category.
Figure 74 Model Elements Command
Figure 75 Example Report Overview Model Elements
Elements in editing areas
This command shows you an overview of your used workspaces and the corresponding number of items.
Figure 76 "Items in Editing Areas" command
Benchmarks
The following benchmarks are currently displayed
Placed to Unplaced Rooms (Performance-Benchmark)
Views on Sheets for Total Views (Performance-Benchmark)
Views of project: a general overview of all views by view type (Quality Benchmark)
Figure 77 Benchmark Commands
Figure 78 Example Report Overview "Placed Rooms"
Figure 79 Example Report Overview "Views on Sheets"
Figure 80 Sample Report Overview "Views of Project"
Advice: All data-visualization commands are presets, i.e. You can also create or customize these reports by yourself. Just click on the "Table edit „command in the panel "Edit" and see how we made the reports – and then simply create your own Benchmarks!
Commands in the „Tables-Utilities“ panel
Here we have installed a few helpers, which make working with tables even easier and some would also like to have their choice directly in their spreadsheet.
Figure 81 Table Utilities Overview Panel
Numbering
The numbering command supports you when creating more complex numbering sequences.
Figure 82 Numbering Command
Figure 83 Numbering Workflow
Workflow „Numbering “
Select the cells you want to number
Click on the "Numbering" command
Choose your numbering sequence and
Confirm the dialog with "OK"
Copy to column
You can use the „Copy to Column” command to copy selected values from one column to another.
Figure 84 „Copy to Column” Command
Figure 85 Workflow „Copy to Column”
Workflow „Copy to Column”
Select your values that you want to copy, please make sure that you select only the values in one column (multiple selection with the Shift or Ctrl key)
Click on the "Copy to Column" command
In the opening helper dialog, you can select the target column to which the values are to be copied. Furthermore, the formatting options can also be considered, and a prefix or suffix can be added
Confirm the dialog with "OK"
Create cell format
With Tables you can easily to reformat your table areas consistently by using cell format styles (please find the "Representation" tab in the Table Settings dialog). With the “Create Cell Style” command, you can define additional styles directly in Tables – and it's very easy.
Figure 86 “Create Cell Style” command
Figure 87 Create Cell Format Workflow
Workflow “Create Cell Style”
Create your new style by using the default cell formatting commands and select this cell
Click on the Create Cell Format command
In the opening helper dialog, you can specify the name of your new style (by default Tables uses the selected cell value).
you can also select the formatting options, which should be considered for the style in the dialog
Confirm the dialog with "OK"
Advice: All cell format styles that you create by using this command are stored in the current xslx-file.
Yes / No Edit values
If you want to enter yes/no values in cells, you can use our help dialog.
Figure 88 Yes/No Command
Figure 89 Yes/No Workflow
Workflow Yes/No
Select the favored lines
Click the command "Yes/No Edit Values" in the “Tables Utilities” panel of the Revit-Ribbon
Select the favored Yes/No value in the open dialog box
Confirm the dialog with "OK"
If you have checked the tick mark "Use only for selected cells with yes/no-values", only the values formatted as Yes/No values will be taken into account in your selection.
Advice: You can override the standard-labels for the True/False values in the settings.
Insert text
If you want to add text to multiple cells in a column, such as an abbreviation or encoding, you can use our “Insert Text” command.
Figure 90 “Insert Text” Command
Figure 91 Insert Text Workflow
Workflow “Insert Text”
Select the favored cells into which you want to insert Text
Click the "Insert Text" command in the “Tables Utilities” panel of the Revit-Ribbon
Enter your text and its associated position in the open dialog box
Confirm the dialog with "OK"
Advice: You can search for and replace text with the standard command "Find and
Replace" (Ctrl+F) if you want to remove an abbreviation 😊 You can use the
command"Rename Items" - or simply via the feature parameter "Element-Name" (see also "Feature Parameter")
Translate
You can use the Translate command to translate selected cells into another language. You need a Microsoft-Azure-Key that you can enter in the "Translate" tab in the settings dialog.
Figure 92 Translating Command
Figure 93 Translating Workflow
Workflow „Translate”
Select the favored cells you want to translate
Click the "Translate" command in the “Tables Utilities” panel in the Revit-Ribbon
In the open dialog box, select your favored language into which you want to translate and 4. Confirm the dialog with "OK"
A short moment later, your selection will be translated into the chosen language.
Commands of the Panel "Diverses"
Figure 94 Overview Panel "Diverses"
Color
Figure 95 Color Command
Reset graphic-overrides
Figure 96 Reset Graphics-Overrides Command
Fill color to RGB code
Figure 97 "Fill Color to RGB-Code"
RGB code for fill color
Figure 98 "RGB-Code for Fill Color"
Settings
In the settings you will find one or the other possibility to customize tables according to your wishes.
Figure 99 Open the Settings Dialog
You can use the system menu at the top left of the Tables main window to get to the settings dialog. From there, you can do your fine-tuning by using the three tabs "General", "Adjustments" and "Advanced".
Workflow to open the settings dialog:
In the Tables main window, click on the system menu in the upper right corner
Click on "Settings" to open the settings-dialog
Advice: All settings you make in the settings dialog are stored in your computer in a user-specific way.
The settings of the General tab
Figure 100 Settings of the General tab
Start Template
Family Symbol Preview Size
Table Refresh
Table Changes
Update Check
The settings of the Customizations tab
Figure 101 Settings of the “Customizations” tab
To achieve this, you need to activate the checkbox "Replace the standard values with the following texts" and enter any text for both the true value and the false value. You can also simply leave the false value empty; it is only important that the texts can distinguish for True and False itself.
Advice: Tables overwrite the TRUE/FALSE values with texts. You can also use characters from the symbol style of lettering, such as Wingdings etc. and then the Yes/No columns will format with the corresponding style of lettering.
Important: You have to pay attention to formulas with the overwritten TRUE/FALSE values, as the respective texts have to be queried here.
Tip: Use our help dialog "Yes / No Edit Values" in the "Table Utilities" panel to change the yes/no values easily.
The settings of the "Advanced" tab
Figure 102 The settings of the Advanced tab
Ludicrous Mode
Duo Mode
Translation
Hide Progress Bar
Feature Parameters
Tables gives you access to all parameters that we find in the Revit data base. Sometimes it’s not enough, therefore, there are additional the so-called "Feature"-parameter in Tables.
Figure 103 Overview of feature parameters using the example of doors
Feature parameters are values calculated or determined specifically in tables, which you also have in each category. The values can be generated from the Revit geometry, such as the maximum top edge of a part or a property e.g. the surface color of a component.
The following feature parameters are in Tables:
CountOfInstance
For Type Lists: Number of applied instances in the applied project
Count
counter for totals,e.g. for groupings
PreviewImage
preview image for families (Advice: the pixel size can be set via the settings dialog
ElementName
Name of the item, to rename
Geometry_Min_Height
Underside of an element (Advice: all geometric elements, also lines will be taken into account)
Geometry_Max_Height
Upper edge of an element (Advice: all geometric elements, also lines will be taken into account, see also Geometry_ElementUpperEdge)
Geometry_Center_Height
Height of the center point of an element (Advice: all geometric elements, also lines will be taken into account)
Geometry_Volumne
Total volume of all elements of a part (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_SurfaceArea
Total area of all elements of a part (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_Centroid_X
X-coordinate of the core area of an element (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_Centroid_Y
Y-coordinate of the core area of an element (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_Centroid_Z
Z-Coordinate of the core area of an element (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_Centroid
Core area of an element, formatted astext: "(x; y; z)" (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account)
Geometry_ElementUpperEdge
Upper edge of an element (Advice: all geometric elements will be taken into account, 2D elements and lines are ignored; compare also Geometry_Max_Height)
Geometry_ElementLowerEdge
Bottom edge of an Elements (Note: all geometric elements will be taken into account, 2D elements and lines will be ignored; compare also the Geometry_Min_Height)
Graphic_CutFillColor
Section Color for graphic override of an element
Graphic_ProjectionFillColor
Surfaces color for the graphic override of an element
Graphic_ProjectionFillPatternId hachures for the graphic override of an element, standard is Solid
Graphic_Visibility
Visibility for graphic override of an element, yes/no value
Graphic_Transparency
Transparency value for the graphic override of an element, value from 0 to 100 = transparent
Group
Name of the group if the item is in a group
OwnerView
Name of the related aspects
Workset_Active
Name of items of a workset if Worksharing is active. The workset can be changed here via the selection list
Workset_CountOfElements
Number of items of a workset
Sheet_PlacedViews
The views of a plan that to be placed, if you are working with Plan-creation lists, or the names of the views of a plan that have already been placed
Sheet_CountOfViews
The number of views of a plan
Room_IsPlaced
Give a check, if a room is already placed
View_PlacedOnSheet
Give a check, if the view is already placed on a sheet
Category_LineWeight_Projection
Category_LineWeight_Cut
Door_Swing_Direction
Door impact direction left or right, calculated by using Revit logic
Document_Central_Path
Path of the Central Document
Caution
In order to ensure a smooth working between Tables / Excel and Revit, you must consider a few things, because we unfortunately cannot perform magic:
To link the Revit parameters to the xlsx cells in tables, we use the so-called "Named Ranges" of Excel, i.e.
Figure 104 Linking Revit to Excel by Using “Named Ranges”
Figure 105 All parameters and the entire data table get "Named Ranges"
Figure 106 Automatically Hidden Revit Unique ID Column in Tables
Figure 107 Unique ID Column
Parameters with selection list
The following parameters have a selection list for easier editing:
All layer-parameters, such as basic plane or "dependency above"
Element parameter "Type"
Feature-Parameter „Workset“
All phase parameters, such as "Phase Created" or "Phase"
View template in Views
Picture section in View
▪
Use of the context menu via the right mouse button
By right-clicking on a cell, you can get context-related commands, which makes it easier for you to work with tables.
General commands:
Direct access to the respective selection lists:
All cells, whose parameters have a selection list. You will get here a direct access to the respective selection list, e.g. in order to change types
Open view
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To open a reference view:
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