Estimator Defined Names

NOTE-- We retired MacNail in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing features. Goldenseal uses construction dimensions to fill in suggested quantities and to adjust pricing, rather than Excel formulas and defined names.

Finding Defined Names

Most of the defined names in The MacNail construction estimating software are in either Fixed Costs or Dimensions. To see either of these sections, choose Fixed Costs or Dimensions from the MacNail (McN) menu.

In both Fixed Costs and Dimensions you'll see many bordered boxes which contain values that are used elsewhere in the estimating worksheet. On either side of these boxes you will also see the defined name itself, its unit of measurement, and a brief description of what the defined name stands for.

For example, the upper right corner of Fixed Costs looks like this:

The first column contains a brief description of each defined name-- if the text is not entirely visible, click in the cell and read the entire contents in the Formula bar. The second column contains the value of each defined name, and the third column shows the actual defined name.

WARNING: The MacNail construction management software also includes many defined names that are used internally to identify different structures in estimating worksheets. DO NOT CHANGE THEM! Serious consequences may result if you do.