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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Use this categorised list to find answers to many of the commonly asked product support questions. Note: Many of these pages link into the Fast Estimate Help system, normally opening a new browser window. If you still can't find what you need, you may like to try our Troubleshooting pages. Getting Started Screen Basics Suppliers Resources Composite Resources Item Library Library Item Buildup Composite Item Library Schedule - General Schedule - Bill Items Schedule - Dims Sheet Schedule - Profit Schedule - Summary Schedule - Resources Schedule - Requirements Schedule - Reports Ordering Networks Data Issues Online Resources   Getting Started How do I change the Currency symbol used in reports? I am a specialist contractor and don't need the price data supplied with Fast Estimate - How do I delete it? I'm in a hurry! Can I go straight ahead and price work once I receive my Key File? Screen Basics Why are some table values displayed in black and others in teal (green)? When I click on the Calculator button nothing happens? After a while I find using the buttons tedious. Is there a faster way of selecting table functions? Why are there two print buttons displayed? Are there any limits to the amount of data I can add, or restrictions in the structure of my data? Is there a quick way to select all rows of a table? How do I change the position of a row? Do I have to save the changes I make to my data before closing a table or the program? Suppliers I already have supplier prices in electronic format, can I use them in Fast Estimate? Can I delete Suppliers I no longer use? Resources I want to set my discount% for all resources in a Category. Do I have to do each in turn? Some of my Resource Categories are getting too long. Can I split the larger Categories into smaller ones? I want to delete some resources I don't need but I get a message telling me they are being used? When should I set the Default Waste% value? When I create a New resource I just get a '*' in the Description? What is the Adjust% cell used for? Searching for items results in long lists being loaded. Can I refine by search to reduce the number of 'hits'? When using the Copy function, can I apply mutliple Pastes using this same resource? Why does the Resource Description change colour when I apply Cut? I have decided to use a different product for some of my library items. Do I have to replace the resource in every item that currently uses it? Insurance is an important cost type in our pricing. How can I highlight these costs in reports? Why should I use Product Codes? Composite Resources Can I change the cost of a resource while building the composite? I'm trying to add a Composite Resource but I can't seem to enter the Unit Cost? Item Library Can I change the Library structure as supplied? I don't have time to build my own item library. Can I use one of the industry standard Price Books? Can I edit the items supplied with the SPON price books? I have a SPON price book installed on my system but Fast Estimate does not list it as being available? How do I change the position of an item on the page? When should I use the Toggle Review feature? Why would I want to use the indent item feature (Toggle Structure)? How do I delete a complete Library or Library Section? Where can I see all the items I have marked for review? Is there a quick way to add a lot of similar items to a page? Library Item Buildup Can I change a resource cost as I use it? If I change a library rate, will this update any Schedules using this item? I can't see the Resource Type breakdown of my Item? Composite Item Library What advantages are there to using Composite Items? Can I use Composite Resources within Composite Items? If I update resource costs will my compsite items be updated automatcially? Can I export my Composite Item library? The Schedule - General I have a job which is similar to one I have priced before. Can I use the original job as a template for a new job? Do I have to enter job information in the Schedule Details form? I want to take home a schedule that I've been working on to complete over the weekend. How can I do this? Can I price a bill recieved in electronic format? Can I price scanned bill of quantities? The bill I have been given to price has a different page format to the style I normally use. Can I emulate the clients bill style for pricing and tendering? Why would I use the Multiplication Factor option? Where can I use the Chart function? How can I check my Bill Page layout on screen? The Schedule - Bill Items I want to change the way my Bill Items are ordered. How do I do this? Do I have to use items from the library or can I just create items directly onto the Bill Page? If I enter items directly onto the bill Page can I save them to my library later? If I add a rate to a text only item (e.g. SMM7 line) by mistake can I change it back? Can I select items from my own library and mix them with SPON library items? Can I edit items selected from the SPON library? I want to use Composite Items to save time but I want to expand them into their component items on the Bill Page. How do I do this? How do I change the cost of a product used in the Schedule? The Schedule - Dims Sheet (Quantity Calculation) When should I use the Dims sheet? I'm used to using a traditional paper dims sheet. Why is the Quantity Calculation worksheet different? How many levels of Dims sheet can I use for one Qty calculation? The Schedule - Profit How do I adjust the profit currently being applied to the Schedule? Can I drill down to item resources and make changes to profit? Can I apply the same profit to every job (at least to start with)? The Schedule - Summary How do I change the order in which Bills are printed? Can I view this important information in a chart so it's easier to spot any potential problems? When should I use the Force Recalculation function? Schedule Resources Can I change product supplier for this job only? A job that was on hold for some time has been restarted. Some of the product pricers may have changed, can I update the Schedule to use the latest prices? I want to replace one product with another, similar product. How do I do this? Schedule Requirements Why can't I edit any of the resource values in this table? Schedule Reports I want to analyse my schedule data further within MS Excel or other programs such as project managers. How can export my data for use in these packages? Ordering Can I generate an order for any supplier? Can I edit my order before sending? How does the ordering system handle ordering materials sold only in complete packs or sheets? How do I place a part order? Can I email my order? How do I get prices from my main suppliers? Networking What type of network can Fast Estimate be used with? What if I want to have more users? Can I work away from the office network? Data Issues How often should I backup my data files? What should I do if my data becomes corrupt? Online Resources What user support is available for Fast Estimate? Are there any clubs/forums where I can discuss Fast Estimate features and problems with others?

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