Save and reuse takeoff templates
A template is a saved copy of a condition (a named, colored measurement group with a unit) and its bid items, stored in a library group your organization shares. Adding one to a project recreates that setup and starts drawing; it takes an estimator seat.
What it's useful for
- A standard sidewalk section with its excavation, subbase and concrete items shows up on most of your bids.
- Two estimators split a bid and need the curb, pavement and striping conditions named and colored the same way.
- A condition you tuned on the current job, with depths and rates checked against the specs, is worth keeping for the next one.
Create a library group
- In the Library panel below the conditions list, click + Group.
- Type a group name, such as Sidewalks, and click Add or press Enter.
Save a condition to the library
A template keeps the condition's name, color, type, unit, description and simple-pricing fields, plus every attached bid item with its settings. When creating a new condition, you can instead pick a group under Also add to library group… and it is saved there on Create & start drawing.
- In the Conditions panel, click the ⋮ menu next to the condition, then Edit condition.
- Open Save to library group… and pick a group.
- Click Save to library; the button changes to Saved ✓.
- Close the editor, then expand the group in the Library panel to see the template.
Add a template to a project
- In the Library panel, click a group name to expand it.
- Find the template; a number beside its name shows how many bid items it carries.
- Click the green + (Add to project and start drawing).
- Draw the takeoff; the new condition is already active.
Remove a template or group
- Hover the template, click ✕ (Remove from library) and confirm with Remove.
- To delete a whole group, hover its name, click ✕ (Delete group) and confirm with Delete.
Limits and checks
- Copies do not update when the template changes later. A condition added from a template is a copy, and changing it does not change the template.
- A template can't be edited in place. Saving the condition again adds a second template with the same name, so remove the old one.
- A template does not keep the bid alternate or the decimal places. An added condition starts on Base bid with 1 decimal place.
- Template bid items still point at your Item Library. Deleting a library item removes it from every template, and the code, name, unit and unit price come from the library.
- Deleting a group deletes every template in it.
Questions
Do projects update when I change a template?
No. Adding a template copies it into the project as a new condition. Later changes to the template, or a newer template saved under the same name, don't reach conditions that were already added.
What does a template include?
The condition's name, color, type, unit, description and simple-pricing fields, plus every attached bid item with its settings. It does not keep the bid alternate or the decimal places.
Can my team use the same templates?
Yes. Library groups and their templates belong to your organization, so every estimator in it can add them to any of its projects.
Last checked against the app on