Learn About the Custom User Menu in Takeoff

The Custom Menu is a takeoff menu that offers items for quicker takeoff and/or frequently used items.

To review or change what is on the Custom Menu follow these steps:

1. On the main view of MEP Estimating click on Data > Data File Maintenance > User Defined Keys 
2. Click on the Menu # to add Keys.  When using an Extended Menu, all lowercase letters are User Defined.  The whole menu for Menu#12 can be customized. 

To Add or Edit an existing Key, follow these steps:

1. Select a Key, double-click the Key and the Edit User Defined Menu Key dialog box will open
   
2. Electrical - Type selections - pick from the following
   1. Header - from the dataset
   2. Item - from the dataset
   3. Detailed Assembly - from Data > Data File Maintenance > Assemblies
   4. Quick Assembly - from Data > Data File Maintenance > Assemblies 
3. Mechanical and HVAC - Type selections - pick from the following:
   1. Assembly - from Data > Data File Maintenance > Assemblies
   2. Databook Key - an entire Key from the Databook category
   3. Databook Item - single item from the Databook

       4.  Description:   Once you have populated the available fields, you can create your own description of your User-Defined Key, or click Generate Description.

 If you select Generate Description, a description will be created based on the selections you made for the available fields.

 Select OK when you are finished. The key you have edited will now display the new description.

In order for this Custom Menu to show up in takeoff, the Powerpad Key layout configuration must be set to Extended:

1. From the main view of MEP Estimating click File > Options > Input Devices
2. Select the Powerpad tab and make sure Standard Powerpad is selected
3. Click the Configuration button
4. The dot should be next to Extended in the Keyboard Layout area

   

5.  Once the change is made, click OK twice to return to the main view of MEP Estimating and now the Custom Menu will be available in Takeoff.

NOTE: If no Powerpad is being used with the system, after setting the Keyboard Layout, the type Standard Powerpad setting can be changed back to No Powerpad.