topic Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File in Collaboration with other software

Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Matt Balaam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:02:36 GMT

Hi all,

I am currently trying to find a way to export a component list as a CSV (or TXT) file with the correct formatting. I need the file to only include the Component Code and the Component Quantity columns however I can't seem to find a way to 'turn off' all of the other columns (some will turn off but others are always on). Also, when the schedule is created it includes extra spaces and pipe symbols | to make the schedule look pretty, but I don't want all of those.

I would like the file formatted like this...

Code1,Qty1
Code2,Qty2
Code3,Qty3

I have searched the forum with no luck, does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks.

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:26:22 GMT

Fortunately, you don't really want a CSV file (since fields contain commas - which leads to problems unless the contents are included in quotes)... but a tab-delimited file.

Any app that can parse a CSV can also parse a tab-delimited file - e.g., any spreadsheet program, database, etc.

You can either save the displayed list properly, or set up a Publisher set to create the tab-dlimited files automatically for you as the model evolves.

If just saving, select "Tabbed Text" as the format. You probably want "Used Columns Only", also. See attached...

For your Publisher set, select List with Tabs as the format for each Component List that you drag into the set.

Cheers,
Karl

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:27:00 GMT

Publisher screenshot...

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:28:52 GMT

To control which columns are included in your list, you have to edit the list scheme. I assume you have your Calculate menu enabled so that you can get to the editor?

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Matt Balaam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:18:18 GMT

Thanks for the response Karl, I did work out how to save the list as a tab delimeted file just after I posted. I hadn't tried it in the publisher though so that will come in very handy.

Karl wrote:
To control which columns are included in your list, you have to edit the list scheme. I assume you have your Calculate menu enabled so that you can get to the editor?

Yes I do have the calculate menu enabled and I've been into the editor to turn off the columns I don't want. The problem is there are a few columns that you aren't allowed to turn off. Name and Quantity can't be turned off in component data and short text can't be turned off in descriptor data.

I don't have anything in the descriptors so that column is left out, but I don't want the Name column in the component section, only the Code and Quantity. Is there any way to override this setting?

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:02:35 GMT

What is delivered varies by country, so you might have to post a screenshot of the Properties & Parameters panel and List Format panel for the list scheme that you're having problems with.

Main thing, which it sounds like you've done, is to open the Set Up List Schemes dialog and to duplicate any locked schemes so that you have fully editable unlocked schemes - a green open padlock will appear in front of the names.

On the Properties and Parameters panel, you can custom-select which Components and Descriptors should appear as output fields.

You mentioned in your first post that you didn't want the pipe symbol / etc - which you now don't see with a tab-delimited file. But, if you want nothing or other symbols for the column and row lines of a text-formatted list, in the List Format panel, select the Text List radio button and then you can change those characters.

HTH,
Karl

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Matt Balaam — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:16:28 GMT

I have created a new list scheme so it is fully unlocked, the attached screenshot will show you the fields that can't be turned off.

The pipe symbols are removed with a tab delimeted file as you say and I have found where to change them for display purposes so the only issue now is the field that can't be turned off.

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:45:31 GMT

Interesting. Never noticed that. Looks like you'll have to strip the undesired name column in a post-process if you must physically not have that information present in the file. Some type of scripting process (perl, etc) on the result file, or otherwise manually deleting the column in a spreadsheet program.

Just curious what you're using the result for that the extra data matters?

(Of course, like you, I wonder why Graphisoft forces this content to be present.)

Karl

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Matt Balaam — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:17:07 GMT

Yeah stripping the data is the conclusion that I came to as well, however I don't want there to be an "in-between" step. The only other option I can think of is some API programming but that is much more involved.

The data is going to be read by our estimating software (I would prefer not to post the name) and we haven't fully tested how it will handle the extra data. At this stage I am trying to get the ArchiCAD output file as clean as possible and go from there.

Thanks for your help with this Karl, much appreciated.

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Barry Kelly — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:29:57 GMT

Sorry I can't explain this in great detail as it can get quite complicated.
But if you are handy with GDL you can create "Property" objects that can be linked to your elements (walls, slabs, roofs, etc.).
These property objects can gather information from the elements they are linked to by using "Global Variables" in the property script of the property object.
The information gathered can be output to an external file and you can control exactly the format and information sent to this file.
And better than the Interactive Schedules or the standard list is that you can perform calculation on the data before it is output to the text file.
But that adds even more complexity to it all.
Barry.

Re: Exporting a Component List to a CSV File

Matt Balaam — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:44:29 GMT

Thanks Barry, I hadn't even thought of doing it that way.

I do have some experience with property scripting in GDL so creating a general property object to output to a file should be fairly straight forward.

I will look into this method a bit more as it may be quite a good (and very flexible) solution!