National Estimator Quick Start | Estimating with National Estimator

Copy Anything to Anywhere in Your Estimate

Anything in the costbook can be copied to your estimate. Just click on the line (or select the words) you want to copy and press the F8 key. It’s copied to the last line of your estimating form. If your selection includes costs, you’ll have a chance to enter the quantity. To copy to the middle of your estimate:

1. Select what you want to copy.
2. Click on the (Copy) button.
3. Click in the estimate where you want to paste.
4. Click on the (Paste) button.

Drag and Drop Estimating
You can also drag lines or words out of the costbook and drop them in your estimate:

1. Click on the line to copy and move your mouse slightly so the line is selected (turns black).
2. Release the mouse button. The line remains selected.
3. Click again on the selected line. This time hold your mouse button down.

   Circle with bar

   Vertical bar with mouse cursor



4. Your mouse cursor turns into a circle with a diagonal bar.
5. Holding the mouse button down, move the circle with a bar into the Estimate Window.
6. Once in the Estimate Window, you’ll see a vertical bar to the left of your mouse cursor.
7. Move this vertical bar to where the copied line should be pasted.
8. Then release the mouse button. The line is pasted in that position.
9. If the line pasted includes costs, you’ll have a chance to enter a quantity.

Right-Click Editing
Most of what you do in National Estimator is editing — such as Cut, Copy, Paste and Undo. Most editing features have their own button on the toolbar. Of course, all editing functions are available from the Edit selection on the menu bar. But you might find it easier and quicker to open the floating edit menu by right-clicking with your mouse. Press the right mouse button. All edit functions currently a valid choice will be available. Simply click on the selection you need.

Changing Wage Rates
The labor cost for sand fill is based on a building laborer working at a cost of $26.64 per hour. Suppose $26.64 per hour isn’t right for your estimate. What then? No problem! It’s easy to use your own wage rate for any crew or even make up your own crew codes. To get more information on setting wage rates, press F1. At National Estimator Help, click on the Key button. Type wage then click on Wage Rates and Setting Hourly Wage Rates. To return to your estimate, click on File on the National Estimator Help menu bar. Then click on Exit.