This page gives an example of a finished .VAL file, defines the columns and explains the different row types.
The example image below shows a finished .VAL file with bills and pages, descriptive and measurable items and is used for reference throughout this page.
Column | Valesco Description | Notes |
A | Bill Title | Value taken from source worksheet name, first page name, or generated by the add-in |
B | Page Number | Value generated via the style specified in the 'Formatting Options' form |
C | Not used |
|
D | Numeric Value | This value indicates which type of record the row contains and is explained in more detail below. |
E | Reference | Copied from the source file |
F | Description | Copied from the source file |
G | Unit | Copied from the source file |
H | Quantity | Copied from the source file |
In column D, the Numeric Value assigned to each element allows Valesco to create the correct record type.
Numeric Value | Valesco Record Type | Symbol | Notes |
1 | New Page |
| This denotes a new page |
2 | Descriptive Text |
| These contain any descriptions or comments about the bill items (e.g. Section Headings) |
3 | Not used |
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|
4 | Sub-Item |
| These contain any items with a parent measurable item (e.g. in Schedules of Work) |
5 | Measureable Item |
| These contain bill items and make up the bulk of the bill. Every record with a reference, description, unit and quantity is a measurable item |
6 | Not used |
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|
7 | End of Page Total |
| These records indicate that the current page has ended |
8 | End of Bill Total |
| These records indicate that the current bill has ended due to there being no more items in the worksheet |
9 | Not used |
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10 | Grand Summary |
| Represents the end of all items, pages and bills |
101 | Auto-resource record |
| Used only when the "Automatic Resourcing" option is selected to deliver details to Valesco about the Resources to be assigned to this item |
The .VAL file is saved in the same directory as the source .XLS file. If no editing is required, the .VAL can be closed without saving. The file must be closed before import into Valesco Estimating.
Saving a .VAL as Excel for further editing
Once the bill has been converted to a .VAL file, it is still possible to do any editing you need to perform simply by changing text and adding/removing/editing rows. Add, remove or alter Page and Bill records to change the bill structure, or simply change text in the cells. If you will need to perform editing in the future, then the bill can be saved as an .XLS file:
- Click "File" in the top-left of Excel.
- Click "Save As"
- In the Save As dialog, choose a file location.
- Select a filename. We recommend the name of the original file + "_val" (e.g. Schedule of Works Revision 2_val).
- Click the "Save as type" drop-down box and select "Excel Workbook".
- Click "Save".
Saving a formatted Excel file back to .VAL for importing to Valesco
Following any editing done whilst in the Excel format, it's time to save the file back as a CSV for use by Valesco. To do this we need to save the workbook as a .VAL file. To do this:
- Click ‘File’ in the top-left of Excel.
- Click ‘Save As’
- In the Save As dialog, choose a file location.
- Select the ‘File name’ box and enter the name of your file + '.VAL', all enclosed within double quote marks (e.g. "Schedule of Works Revision 2.VAL")
- Click the ‘Save as type’ drop-down box and select ‘CSV (Comma Delimited)’.
- Click ‘Save’.
- A pop-up will appear warning you that some workbook features may be lost. Ignore this and click ‘Yes’
- Close the file without saving.