topic Re: An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes in Documentation

An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes

Andrew OToole — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:57:00 GMT

Keynotes has been one of the most useful tools to come to ArchiCAD, but not for it's intended purpose. It has forever been a chore to copy and alter notes on independent details with a high probability of making errors. Using key notes, I have established a file structure of construction notes which can be easily placed onto detail views using a favourited automated labels which include the associated NBS references. Once the initial notes have been created, files can be exported and implemented into current models or new templates. I have found using this system has been incredibly time efficient.

If anyone has any comments or queries on this process please don't hesitate to ask.

Operating system used: Windows 11

Re: An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes

ajimenez — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:36:30 GMT

Is there is a way on linking this to an actual NBS word file , so it gets updated automatically??

Re: An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes

Andrew OToole — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:18:08 GMT

Good Morning,

You would be able to export as a schedule but there is currently no automated process to directly link to an NBS file.

There is an NBS plug in for ArchiCAD but it isn't kept up to date with the latest ArchiCAD which is why we don't use it in the office.

This would definitely be a point for the developers to incorporate in future versions, I believe Revit supports something similar which is compatible with NBS Chorus.

Re: An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes

Shaun Coomber — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:40:18 GMT

Hi Andrew,

We have a direct connection with NBS Chorus, linking cloud-based NBS specifications to Archicad projects, so that element classifications and properties are defined based on the NBS clauses. The current version of the add-on is available to download from:
https://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/addons/nbs-chorus-connect

Re: An Alternative use for Keynotes - Automated Detail Notes

JeffH — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:49:29 GMT

In 27, I had a massive list of our typical Wall Section & Detail notes living in Project info, to be utilized as autotext.

It worked well enough.

I have since pushed all of them to the Keynotes method as well.

I will be curious to see how the first project in 29 goes with these.

The benefit of changing a note one time and updating everywhere has always been our goal!

This is really the only way we will be utilizing the Keynote tool in its current form.