Information in Assemble can be easily shared in a number of formats. The Model Inventory, including it’s Grouping and Columns exports directly to an Excel Workbook or a Navisworks Search Set. Any View or variance run from the Compare feature can also be exported to either an Excel Workbook or Navisworks Search Set. In addition, data added to an Excel Workbook that originates from an export from Assemble can be uploaded into the database, providing your team with another form or collaboration and data population.

Follow the workflow below to integrate change reports or model quantities into your existing coordination or estimating workflows.

Exporting Data to Microsoft Excel

You can choose to export the data to include instances or to exclude instances. By including instances, you will see a row for each instance of the model element in your Excel file. By excluding instances, you will see your grouping order tiered from the highest tier of your grouping order down to the Type level.

Note: Excluding instances will reduce the size of the exported file.

To export to Microsoft Excel including instances:

  1. At the top of the Inventory, click the Import/Export dropdown and choose Export to Excel.
  2. Assemble generates a default file name using the Project Name – Model Name – Version – View – DateTime. Change the file name if desired.
  3. Check the Include instances check box to export the instances.
  4. Click Export.

To export to Microsoft Excel excluding instances:

  1. At the top of the Inventory, click the Import/Export dropdown and choose Export to Excel.
  2. Assemble generates a default file name named using the Project Name – Model Name – Version – View – DateTime. Change the file name if desired.
  3. Un-check the Include instances check box to exclude the instances.
  4. Click Export.

Notes regarding the exported Excel file:

  • Pick-list options (enumerations) for properties that have pick-list values in Assemble will be available in Excel. Look-up values, such as Assembly Codes, will not be look-up values in the Excel file.
  • The Excel worksheet will not be Protected by default. However, by protecting the sheet, cells that can be imported into Assemble will be unlocked, whereas all other cells will be locked.
  • Quantity column values will be rounded to 2 decimal places (hundredths).
  • Quantity column values will have bold text.
  • Rows 1 through 4 will be “frozen” so headers do not scroll.
  • Borders are set to All, Black, and Thin.
  • “Description” column width is set to 75 with wrapped text.
  • Page size is set to 11 X 17 with Narrow page margins.
  • Page orientation is set to Landscape.
  • Print page order is set to over, and then down.

Importing Data from Microsoft Excel

Data conditioning is a core value of Assemble. While Assemble has made huge advances in conditioning model information directly through the Assemble web application, there are still a number of scenarios that are difficult to handle through the Assemble web application, but are easy to address using standard Excel features. Rather than recreate the wheel, Assemble leverages the power of Excel and the ability to update Assemble parameters via an Excel import.

  1. From the left panel, under Export / Import, select Import from Microsoft Excel.
  2. Click Choose File to locate and upload the Excel file you wish to import. Please note that your file must adhere to the import acceptances and constraints listed above.The hyperlink to export a view to Excel will open the Export dialogue window. Please note that if you want to import changes made to instance properties, the Include Instances check box needs to be checked.
  3. After uploading your Excel file, click Import. You will have a chance to review what will be imported prior to accepting the changes.
  4. The Initial Check dialogue window will provide you with a summary of changes, or will notify you that there is nothing to change. To see the individual call-out of changes, click the Download Full Import Logbutton prior to accepting the changes. Please note that once changes are accepted, this cannot be undone.
  5. The Import Log will list the instance and/or type changes, any warnings regarding making the acceptance, and/or messages regarding ignored columns.
  6. When you are ready to commit to the changes, click the Accept button. Otherwise, discard the import by clicking the Cancel button.
  7. After accepting the changes, you will be notified when the import is successful. Again, you have an opportunity to view the committed changes by clicking the Download Full Import Logbutton. Click Close to return to your work in Assemble.
  8. The Assemble Grid will be refreshed to show your imported data.

Notes regarding importing from Excel:

  • The imported Excel file will affect only the model version you are currently working with.
  • To import instance properties, instance IDs must be present.
  • Type properties can be imported without the need for instance IDs.
  • Imported properties will adhere to the Properties Manager rules.
    • Read-only properties will not be imported.
    • Geometrical data cannot be altered.
  • Excel file cannot have duplicate column headers.
  • Column headers in Excel file can exist in either Row 1 or Row 4.
  • The following columns (properties) will always be ignored:
    • Color
    • Category Name
    • Item column
    • Source ID
    • Quantity
    • Unit
    • Geometrical columns, such as Length, Area, Volume, etc.
  • Import from Excel supports properties for Revit models; AutoCAD properties are not currently supported.
  • Models published prior to February 28th, 2014, will have limited editable properties. To view, manage, and import all properties, models would need to be republished.
  • The parameter must exist in Assemble in order to import.
  • Visual Variance mode does not support the Excel Import feature.

Next