Exporting object manager data

Module(s): Object Manager

You can use the Export Object Manager Data tool to export object data and attributes in the active documents and to create various reports based on these data. You can then transfer these data to external programs like Microsoft Excel or to applications you developed yourself. These external programs can be accessed straight from Allplan (online connection).

You can select this tool only if the Show fileset structure option is active in the Settings of the Open on a project-specific basis: drawing files from fileset/building structure dialog box. Although it would be possible to export data, you can import the data only if you are using the fileset structure.

Note: When you export an *.xac file from Allplan to Microsoft Excel, change it there and then import it back into Allplan, you need to save it in *.xac format in Excel. Alternatively, save the file in *.txt format (tab-separated) then rename it *.xac.
Saving the Excel file in a binary format (*.xls or *.xlsx, for example) may cause the formatting of the table to change.

Important notes on editing XAC files

To export object manager data

1. Select all the documents whose data you want to export.
2. Click Export Object Manager Data (How).
   

   Activate Export Object Manager Data in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Bonus Tools Object Manager

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Object Manager

3. In the Export Object Manager Data dialog box, enter a name for the file and specify a path where the file is to be saved.
4. When you click Settings, the following options are available:
   • You can select the report you want to use for the export.
   • You can select the program in which you want to open the exported file (e.g., Microsoft Excel). This program starts automatically after the data have been exported.

     Note: The General object attributes.rdlc report is set by default.

5. Select the elements you want to include.
   

   • To select a single element, click it.
   • To select elements in a region, use the left mouse button to open a selection rectangle around the elements you want to select
   • To include all the elements in the current document, click All in the Input options or press CTRL+A. Please note that this option is not available for all tools.

   For more information on the options available for selecting elements in Allplan, see Selecting elements, overview.

   When selecting elements, you can use the Filter Assistant to apply a filter based on element types and/or properties. For more information, see Filter Assistant.

   Note: Click in the input options to find elements based on advanced criteria - for example, to find elements with a specific material.
   This is done in the same way as in the Find Elements tool.

   Note: If you have not selected a program in the Settings, a message is displayed and the exported data are saved to the file you specified. Continue with step 4.

6. Now Allplan calculates the data (quantities, attributes etc.) in the active documents and writes it to the selected report. The report is saved as an file in XAC format in the path you have specified in step 3.
7. The exported file is opened in the external program you have selected (e.g. Microsoft Excel or your own application).