Estimator Formulas

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. It's not based on the Excel spreadsheet program. However, Goldenseal includes calculated dimensions which fill in suggested quantities for each assembly, acting the same as MacNail formulas.

Using Excel Formulas and Defined Names

MacNail estimating software worksheets use many formulas (typed into a cell) and defined names (entered through Excel's Define Name command). These formulas and defined names work 'behind the scenes' to carry out the actual estimating process.

It's easy to add new formulas and defined names, or to change the ones that are already in The MacNail project management software, if something you want is missing.

Where to Make Changes

When you want to make changes to the formulas or defined names in the MacNail construction management software, you can work on one of several different files, depending on where you 'd like the change to show up.

If you change an estimate, only that one project estimate will be affected, unless you create an estimator from the estimate later on.

If you change an estimator, the change will affect all future project estimates made from that estimator. If you make additional estimators from the estimator you've change, they will also be affected.

If you change an estimator blank, the change will affect all future estimators made 'from scratch' and based on that estimator blank. You can start with either the General Construction Estimator Blank, based on the current MacNail setup, or the No Dimensions Estimator Blank, which is a 'blank slate' that you can use to build a completely new estimator.