IFS expression not returning expected result
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2021-10-21 05:04 AM
I have an expression:
I am intended to use in an interactive schedule (Floor plan KEY), if an element has a description entered then show that, if not shows the name, if the name is blank as well (-) then show the complex profile name, if it's not a complex profile then show the composite name etc.
What I'm getting thou is "---" apart from the complex profile.
Now I haven't finished yet so I know the composite isn't showing up, but I would have thought the names and descriptions would show up.
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2021-10-22 06:36 AM - edited 2021-10-22 08:56 AM
IF I understand your sequence --you want either description, name, complex profile, composite, building material in that order. don't know what CBI is?
Windows 11 - Visual Studio 2022; ArchiCAD 27

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2021-10-21 07:11 AM
A item that you might want to check. If are getting --- results, that can mean that one or more attributed in your IFS statement is not applicable to your element. It does not matter if that attribute can not be reached, Any inappropriate attribute will invalidate the whole clause.
A workaround is to break up your statement into separate sequences. Archicad will use the first one that is appropriate.
Windows 11 - Visual Studio 2022; ArchiCAD 27
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2021-10-21 08:24 PM
Ah, thanks Gerry, that will be it.
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2021-10-21 08:53 PM - edited 2021-10-21 08:55 PM
I've checked and altered slightly but still not getting the desired result.
The Property references two properties that I have created (ie Name/type, Description) both of these are available for all classifications.
I have added these as two separate lines in the expression.
Underneath those I have entered the built in paramater for complex profile, composite etc.
I did a quick screen recording which you can see below, hopefully this my shine some light on what I'm getting wrong.
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2021-10-21 09:19 PM
What I'm hoping for is if a staff member draws an element, let's say a wall (using composite), the key will automatically show the composite name, however perhaps there's one wall that they want to write in a manual note/description for whatever reason, the key will now show that info instead of the composite name.
Another scenario would be a staff member places a toilet and gas bottles, the toilet favourite just has the name entered "toilet". The gas bottles favourite has the "name" and the "description". The description is required to show for the gas bottles, but since the toilet has no description only the name shows.
Lastly, if there's no name and no description then the classification name will show, for the example of the gas bottles that would be "Gas supply cylinder systems" [CBI - 7212 - Gas supply cylinder systems].
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2021-10-21 09:57 PM
I could create separate properties.
Something like:
Property 1 is IF (description <> "-", description, Property 2).
Then in Property 2 have IF (name <> "-", name, Property 3)
Then in Property 3 have the list of expressions for Complex profile etc
Just hoping to get it done in one expression if possible.
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2021-10-21 11:41 PM
Not sure a understand how you want display the data. But if you want to test the description field based on a blank field it should be description <> ""
Windows 11 - Visual Studio 2022; ArchiCAD 27
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2021-10-22 12:05 AM
Hi Gerry
By default the description property has "-" entered.
I'm wanting the new property to read the Description if there is one entered (so not the default) and if there is no description entered (Default "-") then the property would read what's written in the name field.
Thats the gist of of the beggining anyway, I have a bit of hierarchy in mind of subsequent info to show if the above is not available.
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2021-10-22 06:36 AM - edited 2021-10-22 08:56 AM
IF I understand your sequence --you want either description, name, complex profile, composite, building material in that order. don't know what CBI is?
Windows 11 - Visual Studio 2022; ArchiCAD 27
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2021-10-26 05:43 AM
Thanks Gerry, we have a winner!
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ARCHICAD 18-28 | BIMcloud | CI Tools | Grasshopper - Rhino | CloudCompare | Bluebeam
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