FAQs

BidScreen XL is an Excel add-in application and can only be used through Microsoft Excel. Excel must be installed and BidScreen XL must be added to Excel. Once BidScreen XL is installed and added, a BidScreen XL ribbon tab will be available in Excel.

The steps to add BidScreen XL to Microsoft Excel depend on the Excel version and the number of bits.

Add BidScreen XL to Excel version 2010 and later

1. First, determine if Excel is 32 bit or 64 bit. There are different BidScreen XL installation files for 32 bit and 64 bit Excel.  To determine the number of bits in Excel, open the Account or Help submenu under the Excel File tab, and then click on the About Excel button; the number of bits is disclosed on the first line. After knowing the number of Excel bits, insure that the proper BidScreen XL file was installed.


2. After installing the proper BidScreen XL installation file, click on the Excel File | Options sub-menu.


3. On the left side, click on Add-Ins and then click the Go button.


4. A list of available Add-Ins is displayed. Click the Browse button to the right of the list.


5. Browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL and open the BidScreenXL_7.xlam file when using the 32 bit version of Excel.  When using the 64 bit version of Excel, browse to C:\Program Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL to open this file.


6. At the add-ins list, confirm BidScreen XL is checked and click OK.


7. A prompt to register appears. If evaluating, select no at this time.


8. The BidScreen XL ribbon tab is now added to Excel.

Add BidScreen XL to Excel version 2007

1. Right click on the round Microsoft Office Button located at the top left hand corner of Excel.


2. Left click on Customize Quick Access Toolbar.


3. On the left side click on Add-Ins and then click the Go button at the bottom.


4. This displays a list of available Add-Ins. Click the Browse button to the right of the list.


5. Browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL and open the BidScreenXL_7.xlam file when using the 32 bit version of Excel.


6. At the add-ins list, confirm BidScreen XL is checked and click OK.


7. A prompt to register appears. If evaluating, select no at this time.


8. The BidScreen XL ribbon tab is now added to Excel.

A collection of takeoff and estimating templates for general contractors, concrete subcontractors and many other trades are installed with BidScreen XL.  These Excel files are found under Example Workbooks at the BidScreen XL Program Group located on your Apps or Program listing.  These Excel files may be customized to meet your needs.

The path to these Excel workbooks is C:\Users\Public\Documents\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL\examples.

After loading a drawing file to Excel, the path of where that file is located is written to the Excel workbook.  To view the drawing file, click on any blank Excel cell and click on one of the four Takeoff commands (i.e. either Count, Section Length, Continuous Length or Area).  Once the command is selected, the drawing appears. Please note that the scale for the loaded drawing file or page must be set before the Takeoff commands become active.

After installing SiteWorx/OS go to the apps or programs list and print the tutorial. Follow the tutorial steps for the sample project. If you have any question, please contact Vertigraph or phone us at 800-989-4243 (US and Canada) or  214-340-9436.

There are SiteWorx/OS video tutorials at www.vertigraph.com.

After completing the PDF file tutorial and watching the video tutorials, you are ready to start calculating site excavation quantities for your own projects. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Vertigraph.

PLEASE NOTE: Use the F1 key on the keyboard to access Help while operating SiteWorx/OS or SiteWorx.