PlanSwift and Microsoft Access Database Tutorial

[@GuillermoTurcios]

Todd, you are awesome dude, you solved a big problem while someone is trying to automatize selections from Planswift field list, billions of thanks!!!!!!!

[@ToddKaberline]

Thanks Bill, If you ever need any help let me know [e-mail]

[@joshford5457]

I appreciate you making this video Todd. Thank you. PS does not document their advanced features well, so this was very helpful.

[@ToddKaberline]

+Josh Ford I agree, please let me know if you need anything else with PlanSwift. They are a great software and I am happy to help out. I was thinking about a channel with numerous tips and helps.

[@ToddKaberline]

I will work on a better video quality, but you should get an idea on how to use Access in PlanSwift

[@skylineframers494]

Thanks Todd!! you were always my role model and support in PS! I've setup already database lists, but when I update pricing etc. in Access or PS it doesn't carry over the updated info to my preset templates, is there any solution for this?

[@LauraCuster-dj9ds]

I have found that you do not need to restart PlanSwift in order to see your lists after you link them. Tap the properties button at the top and the appear. The refresh button on other tabs works on other things rather than restarting PlanSwift. Just an FYI to save a little time. Thanks for your videos, they are very helpful.

[@ToddKaberline]

Good tip! Thanks... I will try that... Ps can be such a mystery sometimes.

[@oladejiolawale3356]

I like to appreciate you for your effort. This platform has been a great source of knowledge has regard Planswift. I found out that when I export my template as a plugin my access database doesn't come up. How can I go about.

[@ToddKaberline]

The plugin will not consolidate a dbase, the dbase will need to be installed on each computer. Unless you have a shared storage, drive works well. AS long as the file paths are the same it should work. Let me know how you do.

[@shibuc2337]

Hi Todd Great Job, Please let me know how to get the cost each with multiple choice. For Ex: if we have friends with same name and different description. if we put the name and description in two inputs. Thanks for your great post

[@markmiller7133]

Your channel has the most in-depth content on this program that I have found. Question: do you even see the need to create custom items outside of the 3 or 4 main takeoff types (linear, area, etc) if you have a database like this? I suppose maybe you would if you wanted to specify the dimensions of a piece drywall for example, but still. I feel like the ability to have this database means you need to create very few items in plan swift itself to takeoff with. Which is nice, if that is the case.

[@ToddKaberline]

Great question, The cool part of a database is that you have much fewer parts to work with. You can have the database set the size, the cost, the Unit of measure, Labor Cost per unit and so on. If you ever need any help with this I have a couple of videos, or you can email me at [e-mail] Most of my plugins have Unit cost and description in the database, but recently I have added material class and vendor class, which allows you to really get some great reports for getting quotes on materials. Good luck!

[@markmiller7133]

I thought any responses on KZbin would go to my google notifications, but apparently not. The notification for your reply only showed up on KZbin only, so sorry for the late reply. Anyways, thanks for your response, we may very well give the database approach a try!

[@ToddKaberline]

Sounds good, Call me if you get stuck 541-415-2605

[@sothoan100]

Hi, Todd Thanks for useful tricks. Supposed an assembly description link to a list and cost associated too. A part cost is link to Parent assembly. When I change cost database. It doesn’t auto update the part cost unless I reselect the description. Are there ways to auto update estimate data in part of assembly while updating list database?

[@kevob6800]

Im wondering the same

[@skylineframers494]

​@@kevob6800 Hi I have the same issue, had you figure out anything? I would appreciate if you can share with me!

[@skylineframers494]

Hi I have the same issue, had you figure out anything? I would appreciate if you can share with me!

[@kevob6800]

@@skylineframers494 I dont think there is one :(

[@thepretentiouswetz]

Todd, thank you for this tutorial. Very insightful. Is there a way to set a list to be changed based on another property. Say, I have 3 shutter types and I want the size lists to change based on the type of shutter. Is that possible?

[@ToddKaberline]

Yes and no... If you build a column for sizes in your MBD and link it to a property in PS then yes. If your looking for a "tree" type of List then no. I am working on an idea that would allow for multiple dbase for the same properties by using a check box... then have that as an input option in PS. If you would like to talk email me your contact infor to todd@plantakeoff..com and I will see if I can help. I learn a lot from these conversations.

[@anthonybell2692]

Todd, great video. Is there a way to use multi columns without access? Thanks in advance.

[@ToddKaberline]

Hi Anthony, Thanks for the kind words. You can use a SQL server file to get multiple columns and link to that, but it is not as easy to use as Microsoft Access. If you need any help email me at [e-mail] anad we can set up a time to check out any needs you have. Thanks

[@myronedwards9810]

Hey Todd...Great video and very much appreciated. I do have a problem however. I am using MS Access as you suggested. When I go in and update my Access Database with new prices and save it, it does not reflect the change in my templates. It shows the change in my lists but NOT my templates. Any suggestions?

[@ToddKaberline]

That is a common problem with planswift's ability to link to MS Access. You have to go into the templates and re-select the part from the updated List. I wish I had better news. SQL's work the same way.

[@gingrichconstruction7242]

Todd I have enjoyed your videos you mentioned that you can have your access linked to excel I understand all of that I have done that but with Planswift if i have a live linked data base to excel then the tables will not show up in PS as soon as I turn the tables in access to nonlinked then they show up in PS. Am I missing something obvious?

[@kevob6800]

I have done that with a linked query

[@ToddKaberline]

Good morning, Yes I did mention that in the video, I my intent was, that I think planswift is going to be making the change from the 20013 format of excel they currently work around to the most recent version and when they did we could make that connection. PlanSwift just released a newer version, which I have yet to. If they did make it, I make a new video, because yes that would be great. Sorry for the confusion

[@gingrichconstruction7242]

Ok yes that would make sense I have the new version I shall speak with them about it. Unfortunately they have been less then helpful right from day one. I may need to find a different way to update pricing. Thanks for your time.

[@skylineframers494]

@@gingrichconstruction7242 Hi I have the same issue, had you figure out anything? I would appreciate if you can share with me!