Importing Bills from Excel 
You can import almost any bill in MS Excel format as long as it has Description, Qty and Unit columns.
To import bills(s) from an MS Excel file:
- Select the Excel file to be converted. Note this may take a few moments depending on the file size
- A preview screen displays the first Excel worksheet showing the positions of the required columns. You can ajust the column widths to improve the layout
- Set the column numbers for each of the key values - Description, Qty, Unit (optionally the Rate). This can be done using the selectors or by right click on each column
- Deselect any rows you don't want imported e.g. collection totals, page nos. etc. (Note that you may find it quicker to delete those after import)
- If you are importing multiple bills and the column values are all the same, use the Set All Worksheet Columns function to apply to each bill
- Select/Create the schedule the bills are to be imported to
- Start Import will import your bill(s) and open the target schedule for checking
- The bill will be created with all items on a single page. To paginate the bill as per the original document, use the Toggle Page Break function (F8)
Notes
- Bills must have columns for (at least) Description, Qty and Unit
- Graphic items will be ignored - no need to remove them first
- Font attributes are not supported
- Any original item ID is included to reduce pricing errors. This column display is automatically switched on for imported schedules and may be switched off in Schedule Properties
- Fast Estimate can add basic formatting to make the bill more readable, however any Excel text formatting will be lost
- Excel files created from Office 2007 on (.sxls) may have to be saved as standard .xls files before they can be imported
Tips
- If the Excel file was originally a text file and you experience problems on loading try the following:
- Open the file using Excel
- Select the Description column (click on header)
- Right-click and select the Format Cells option
- Make sure General is selected and click OK
- Save the file and exit Excel
- Run the FE import routine as above