Document Protection

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and BidMagic (our previous estimating programs), and introduced Goldenseal construction estimating software to replace them. There are still quite a few die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing and project management features. Because Goldenseal does not use Excel, it automatically protects important data from accidental changes.

Estimates with Document Protection

The MacNail estimators are shipped as protected documents. Working with protected documents is much safer, since you cannot accidentally damage the worksheet by typing over an important formula.

Some of Excel's commands are not available on protected documents. You cannot use Fill Down or Fill Right, Cut, Paste, or any of the formatting options (including column widths).

NOTE: Fill Down and Fill Right are not available in full menus under Excel 2.2. Switch to short menus to use them.

You will need to turn off document protection whenever you want to change a formula, a unit price, or formatting.
* To turn off document protection, choose Unprotect Document from the OPTIONS menu.
* To turn on document protection, choose Protect Document from the OPTIONS menu, then click OK. Type in a password when you protect a document only if you are highly concerned with security.

As you get more comfortable with Excel and MacNail construction estimating software, you may want to leave document protection off for all documents all the time. It is more convenient--if you are careful!