Local Defines

It is common to use the same value multiple times within a Cost Estimate. By creating a Local Define you can use the same value, saving you time and ensuring consistency.

Local Defines are Cost Estimate specific variables that replace a numeric value with an identifying piece of text. These defines can only be referenced in the Cost Estimate they are created in.

CREATING A LOCAL DEFINE

Creating a local define can be done in the formula column on any unfinished Cost Estimate line.

Creating a local define is broken up into three sections.

1. Def / Define to indicate that this formula is using the Define function.
2. The name of the local define that will be used. This must begin with the prefix ‘#’.
3. The value of the define. (This can be entered as a mathematical equation)

In the example above, a local define called #Name is created with the value of 10.

Note: The Local Define function cannot be used in a formula with any other functions.

USING A LOCAL DEFINE

Once a local define has been created it can be referenced on lines below by typing the name, including the #, into the formula field.

Local defines can be used as a single line reference to a quantity (line 4 and 5 on the image below) or included as a part of a more complex calculation (line 6 of the image below).

Local Define Example

Due to local defines only referencing the lines below, you can redefine the define and have a section of your Cost Estimate referencing a different value. This is useful if the value you are referencing needs to be altered in later formulas, but you do not want to have this affect all uses of the define.

Local Define Example

As in the example above the Slab Area is defined on line 2 and line 7 with different values, then used on line 5 and 8 reflecting different values.