I was working with some tables that were started by a colleague and I was curious with the method he was using to populate data in the table. As far as I was aware there were only a few ways to accomplish the task. I was creating tables in a .dgnlib and constructing them as individual pieces to bring the data in correctly. My colleague had his tables in one piece. I asked him what method he was using and he stated "Copy the text from Excel then paste into the table." He had stated he was using Paste Special but I was not able to select that option, or just regular paste, by right-click or by a ribbon icon. So I just resorted to using ctrl+V and to my amazement the data actually pasted into the table. As it turns out you can actually copy data from a document and paste it directly into a table. And, to top it off, it is quite easy! I am attaching a short video to show a breif demonstration.
Does Bentley even know this is possible? I have not seen any mention of this working on the forums or in the help documents
I don't like that method as I prefer paste special with the embedded method so the excel file is part of the dgn file and can also and still be edited direct in the file with double clicks... I know its old school v8i method but it still works in CE as far as I can tell....I'll have to recheck in CE next time I'm at work..
Lorys
Started msnt work 1990 - Retired Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )
But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE update 16 (10.16.00.80)
MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.click link to PM me
Why don't you just copy and paste the excel spreadsheet in CE?
Lorys said:so the excel file is part of the dgn file
We do not like to retain the link to the Excel file. Most of the time the Excel files are not in the same format as the table in Microstation so we need to reorganize the data. Aslo, from previous experience, the links are easily broken. All-in-all, mostly the Excel files are created by an engineer and then a drafter adds the data into Microstation. This method is a quick way to add the data. The table is still expandable and you are still able to edit the test in individual cells by double-clicking. Once the text is placed in the table, even if I paste an entire row or column in one operation, when I go to edit the text it is not placed as multiline text.
My colleague had originally told me they used the Paste Special option to place the text in the table, but that option was not available when I tried to use that method.
stuartw said:Why don't you just copy and paste the excel spreadsheet in CE?
Tried that. We have some very large tables that are somewhat complex. Pasting the Excel spreadsheet does not retain the Excel formatting properly from my experience. Currently, the DOT still uses a .rsc font. As you know, that is not supported by Excel. Another issue is the fact that you cannot use stacked fractions in Excel. We need to show our fractions stacked.
Lorys said: I know its old school v8i method
The method I demonstrate in the video is also something I would refer to as somewhat old school. I used to have table cells that I would drop in a file then copy text from n Excel file and paste that into the text editor in columns. My issue with that was when text in the middle of the column would change you had to carefully edit each corresponding row across the table. It got messy with long columns.
To me, the method I demonstrate is a middle ground approach to using the Place Table tool. It can be extremely difficult and frustrating to create a complete table in a .dgnlib and have it populate the text automatically. I have not had a lot of time to play with the place table tool. Previously I was making pieces of the table in the .dgnlib and placing them individually to make it easier and more predictable to get the data correct.
I decided to post thai method so others would have the option to quickly place a table and populate data. The demo only shows a blank table without column headers or any other specific formatting so it is a simple demo to show that it is possible to just copy/paste the text.
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mwlong said:We do not like to retain the link to the Excel file. Most of the time the Excel files are not in the same format as the table in Microstation so we need to reorganize the data.
I didnt say use the links method , I use the copy paste special and use the embedded ... no links , never links as you said its too easy to break..or lose the excel file or it gets moved.. and the client needs it supplied with the dgs, with embeded you just give the dgns.
I embed and use the actual size... or scale by corners then work out the scale factor to get text almost right and on prints it looks right..
I agree that DoT wants us even in Oz to use their rsc font but fortunately they allow excel tables as the exception and we can use Arial in the excel.. or if you can find a similar iso type font .. but I prefer arial narrow... personal preference..
So the designers create table exports to give me excel.. I copy what I need and embed it in the drawings.. if they make new excels I delete the old excel and embed the new ones.. I like to keep a non print construction shape I use this to hold the excel position and size, then when I need to replace it I delete the old excel its safer than just editing the old excel file...
But hey whatever floats your boat , I have tried lots of methods and this is the quickest safest and certainly easier than the new table setup in CE and dgn lib etc..
I even have a paid 3rd party custom built vba that imports excel and creates old school text table and lines and will let you define and use your the DoT or client rsc font they desire... but of late our DoT have accepted excel tables.. there must be too many people not able to create the lines and text quickly enough compared to excel...
Lorys said:We do not like to retain the link to the Excel file
Sorry, I was thinking that method links the data. I do know what you are referring too. I've looked at that option but client will not accept that method. Most of our changes are minimal after the initial creation of a table so replacing the entire table is not necessary.