Global Variables

Global variables in the estimate software allow users to define custom parameters that can be applied across multiple sections of a project. These variables can represent values like cost rates, dimensions, or any recurring metric that needs to be referenced in calculations throughout the estimate. Once a global variable is created, it can be easily reused and updated, streamlining your workflow and ensuring consistency across all related calculations.

Create a New Global Variable

1. On the right side of the toolbar, locate the Global Variable  icon.
2. Click the icon to open the Global Variable panel.
3. Click the Add Item + icon from the tool bar or from the right click context menu.
4. Enter description (e.g., "Labor Rate"), Variable (e.g., "LR_GV"), unit (e.g., per hour, per square meter), equation (e.g., 5days*8hours) and value.

After creating the variable, you can use it in formulas across the estimate by referencing its name (e.g., using LR_GV in a calculation

Delete a Global Variable

1. To delete a global variable, right-click on the variable in the Global Variable panel and select Delete Task.
2. Or select the variable and use the Delete Task  option from the toolbar.

Copy from Master

The "Copy from Master" feature streamlines the development of the schedule of quantities (SoP) by enabling you to import measurements from any existing project into a new one. This feature eliminates the need to create new measurement items, formulas, and pricing worksheets from scratch, ensuring consistency and accelerating the project setup process

Accessing the "Copy from Master" Feature

1. Access the "Copy from Master" button on the right-hand side of the estimation table.
2. By clicking this button a side panel will open, where you can manage and import items from previous “Master” projects.

Select any Previous Project as the Master

1. In the Master panel, click the Settings button located in the top right corner. 
2. Upon clicking the button, a dialog box will appear, allowing you to browse through a list of saved projects.
3. Select the project that contains the items you want to copy. This project serves as your "Master" from which you will import data.

Importing items from the existing project

1. After selecting a project, the items available for import will be displayed. These can include bill items, resources, rates, and more.
2. To import these into your new project, simply drag and drop the desired items into the schedule of quantities (SoP) list.
3. Select multiple items to drag and drop into the schedule of quantities (SoP) list. 

You can make any necessary adjustments to the imported items and worksheets, such as modifying formulas or pricing to fit the new project’s requirements.

Copy a bill item or worksheet from master

1. Bill: Copy from master 
2. Worksheet: Copy from master and resource
3. Resource: Copy from master

Access worksheet

You can access the worksheet by clicking on the worksheet icon in the Actions column. Which will open the worksheet tab.

Benefits of Using Copy From Master

• Consistency Across Projects: Use this feature to maintain consistency in pricing, resources, and other data across multiple projects.
• Efficient Workflow: Take advantage of this feature when managing repetitive tasks or standard items that are commonly used across different projects.
• Estimating Accuracy: During the copy from master the Imported Bill Items worksheets are copied in too, ensuring consistency between the schedule of quantities and the estimate.

Currency Settings

Methvin provides comprehensive currency management for both projects and individual resources. Users can select between project and local currencies, adjust exchange rates, and specify different currencies for resources. This ensures accurate cost tracking and flexibility across various currency systems.

Set Project Currency

To set the project and local currencies,

1. Access Currency Settings in the tool menu and select Project Currency  from the drop down.
2. This will open a popup window where you can set the project and local currency.

Set Resource Currency

To set currency of individual resource,

1. Select Resource Currency from the Currency Settings menu or by clicking on the Resource currency icon  in the toolbar.
2. Upon selection, additional columns of base rate, base currency, exchange rate and lock currency will appear for each resource in front of it.
3. Use the Base Currency dropdown to change the currency of any resource as required.

Locking Resource Currency

Once you’ve set the currency for a resource, you can lock it by checking the Lock Currency column. This ensures that the currency rate remains fixed, even if the overall exchange rates are updated.

Update Exchange Rates

To refresh exchange rates, click Update Exchange Rate  from the Currency Settings menu or the tool bar. This will update the rates for all unlocked resources, ensuring that the project reflects the most current currency values.

Replace Resource Across the Project

Methvin allows users to efficiently replace a resource throughout the entire project with a few simple steps. This feature saves time by ensuring that the selected resource is swapped everywhere it appears in the project, reducing the need to manually update each instance.

Replace Resource

1. Navigate to the resource you want to replace within your project. Right-click on the resource.
2. From the context menu, click on Replace Resource . This will open a new window displaying all the resources available in the project.
3. Browse through the list of resources in the project and click on the resource you want to use as the replacement.
4. Click Replace. 

Now the old resource will be replaced with the new one throughout the entire project.