Category Sheets

NOTE-- We retired the MacNail estimating program in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still a significant number of die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing. Goldenseal comes with several Category Systems, which set up a hierarchy of categories and subcategories for estimates and job costing. You can modify the setup of any items.

Setting up a New Category Sheet

To make a new Category Sheet in the MacNail construction management software, choose New Customizing File from the File menu, then click Category Sheet.

You can then choose a name for the new Category Sheet, and decide whether to make a 'clone' of another Category Sheet, or create the file completely from scratch.

If you choose to copy an existing Category Sheet, it will be opened and saved under the new name you have selected for it. If you choose to create a new Category Sheet 'from scratch', you'll be asked for further information about the new Category Sheet.

If you turn on 'prompt for information', you'll be walked through each category and/or subcategory with a series of dialog boxes similar to the one shown below. Type in all the requested information, then click OK. The correct information will be entered into the Category Sheet automatically

You can also type category information directly into the Category Sheet, using an 'outline' format. If the estimate will only have main categories, the Category Sheet will include a list of each category.

If the estimate will have subcategories as well as main categories, the Category Sheet will list each main category, followed by its subcategories.