Auto Option

Auto Option can help you apply the same selection to multiple options in a single record line automatically. For example, some chairs have fabric selections for the seat, back, and arms separately. With Auto Option, the first fabric selection will apply to the other areas as well.

This can be turned on and off with the checkbox on the Options tab, or at the bottom of the Part Specifier dialog.

Once turned on, selections can be made in the Part Specifier as usual. When a selection is available for multiple options, it will be applied instantly. It will only apply the selection where the identical option is available.

This works within an individual record line at a time, and any remembered selection will reset with each new record line being optioned.

Standard Options

Frequently used options can be saved to be applied automatically across all record lines of a spreadsheet in the Standard Options Data Table. The table will be saved within a single PMX file but can also be saved and loaded into other project files.

Add Options to the Stand Options Data Table

In the Part Specifier, buttons are provided to add Selected Options to the Standard Options table. When these are used, the Standard Options Information dialog will open, providing an opportunity to add to the General Standards, where they will be used wherever applicable, or with Criteria, allowing for more precise application to new product.

Add All - Adds all Selected Options. Will open the Standard Option Information dialog.

Add Selected - Adds only chosen selections. Click to select a Selected Option or hold Ctrl to select multiple options. Then click Add Selected. Will open the Standard Option Information dialog. When adding options that are dependent on previous selections, like fabric grade or pattern, be sure to select the previous option to be added as well.

Edit - Opens the Standard Options table where changes can be made.

The Standard Options Data Table

The Standard Options Data Table can be seen by clicking Edit Standard Options on the Options tab or by clicking Edit in the Part Specifier.

Table Name - Shows the file location and name for the table. The file location will default to the Standard Options folder within the ProjectSpec folder. The file name will default to the PMX file name. The file type is .sotx.

Display Tags - When enabled, shows Tag columns in the table and the Tag criteria applied.

Tree View - Available to enable on the Part Number tab. Shows the options in the table grouped by Part Number when selected as part of the criteria.

Part Number tab - Shows the options listed sorted by Part Number.

Options tab - Lists the individual options. Click the headers to sort in ascending or descending order.

On either tab, click on a field or line then right click to delete that row and selection from the table.

Clear - Clears all options from the current table.

Unload - 

Open - Open and load a table from a saved .sotx file. By default, this will open to the Standard Options folder in the ProjectSpec folder.

Save As - Opens the file explorer to save the current table with a new file name.

Close - Closes the table.

Appy Standard Options

To begin applying the Standard Options to parts in the spreadsheet, turn Standard Options on with the checkbox on the Options tab or in the Part Specifier.

When on, Standard Options will apply automatically where applicable to any unselected option when the Part Specifier is opened or when running the Option All tool.

If Multiple Standard Options exist for the same Option Prompt, the Part Specifier will direct you to make a selection.

Manually Adding Options

Option Prompts, Codes, and Descriptions can be added to a part if needed for a Special or a Custom product. If a part contains manually added options, the record line must be designated as a Custom, otherwise it will produce an error when checking the line against the catalog pricing. See the Specials & Customs article for more information on applying the Custom designation.

Before editing or adding options, be sure a Unit Price is entered to ensure option charges will be added correctly. Then open the Edit Part Options dialog by double clicking in an Option field or selecting a line and pressing F5. You can also open the Edit Part Options dialog with the Edit Options icon on the Options tab.

Edit Part Options

Part information - Displays Part Number, Part Description, Base List, Upcharges, and Unit List.

- Displays the number of selected line (as indicated with a black arrow) of total number of lines.

- Adds an option line at the bottom of the list.

- Inserts a line above the selected line.

- Deletes a selected line.

Option Lines - Consists of a Swatch when provided by a manufacturer, Option Prompt, Code, Description and Price. Click to edit a field. Price Upcharges will be added in the Part Information section to total a new Unit List.

OK - Saves any changes and closes the dialog.

Cancel - Closes the dialog without saving any changes.

Remove Options

Options can be quickly removed from a record line with Remove Options on the Options tab.

1. Click Remove Options.
2. Use the Record Range dialog to select which records options should be removed from.
3. Click OK.
4. All options fields will be blank and the Status Icon will show a .

Option All

The Option All tool will check record lines against the current active catalog information and update base pricing and upcharges. If any options are undecided or invalid, the Part Specifier will be opened and selections must be made before the tool will continue. Prompts will also appear providing an option to add the new selections to the Standard Options.

To start the tool, click Option All from the Options tab or press F10. The Option All Range dialog provides the ability to filter the range of records this will check. Once the tool begins, it must continue until complete and cannot be cancelled partway through.

Select any Record Filtering Criteria needed and click OK.

Click Cancel to close the dialog and cancel the tool or Help to open the Spec section of the Help Center.

Option Copy

Options can quickly be copied from one record line to another with the Option Copy shortcut. First, select the record line with the current options to be copied. Click in one of the Option fields and pause. The pause will copy the options.

Then click an Option field on the record line where the options need to be pasted. Press F4.

This will paste the copied options and replace any current information. The Option Copy function does not validate the application of the options against the catalog data, so use caution to only paste options where valid. If an option is pasted where it cannot be applied, an error message will appear when checking the line against the catalog pricing.

Option Clipboard

The Option Clipboard provides a way to save multiple sets of options for reuse on any project. The clipboard contents will save locally to the program on your device and are not a part of any PMX file. There is no limit to the number of Copied Items that can be saved in the clipboard.

The Option Clipboard and the Attribute Clipboard share an icon in the Clipboard Viewer section of the Options tab. To activate the Option Clipboard, click to select any option field. This icon will be greyed out until an option field or attribute field are selected.

To Copy Options to the Clipboard

1. Select an option field on a line with options you wish to copy.
2. Click Option Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4.
3. Check the Part Number and Description at the top of the dialog to verify the part selection.
4. Review the Current Option selections to be copied. If any options are INCOMPLETE or UNSELECTED, that will be included in the clipboard item.
5. Click Copy to Clipboard.
6. Enter a Name and Description to identify the set of options and click OK.
7. The saved items now show in the Copied Items section.

To Paste Options from the Clipboard

1. Select an option field on a line that needs the options applied.
2. Click the Option Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4.
3. Find the line for the Copied Items to apply and click the checkbox in the Active column to activate it.
4. Review the Active options in the Preview section. If any options are INCOMPLETE or UNSELECTED, that will be included in the clipboard item.
5. Click Paste to apply them to the selected record line.

Remove Options from the Clipboard

1. Select any option field to activate the Option Clipboard.
2. Click the Option Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4.
3. Find the line for the Copied Items to be deleted and click the checkbox in the Active column to activate it.
4. Review the Active options in the Preview section.
5. Click Remove.

Edit Attribute Notes

Multiple lines of Attribute Notes can be added to a record line. Click Edit Attribute Notes on the Options tab or double click the Attribute fields to open the Attribute Notes and Descriptions dialog.

Part Information - Displays the records Part Number and Description.

- Displays the number of selected line (as indicated with a black arrow) of total number of lines.

- Adds an attribute line at the bottom of the list.

- Inserts a line above the selected line.

- Deletes a selected line.

OK - Saves any changes and closes the dialog.

Cancel - Closes the dialog without saving any changes.

Attribute Clipboard

The Attribute Clipboard provides a way to save multiple sets of attribute notes for reuse on any project. The clipboard contents will save locally to the program on your device and are not a part of any PMX file.

The Option Clipboard and the Attribute Clipboard share an icon in the Clipboard Viewer section of the Options tab. To activate the Attribute Clipboard, click to select any attribute field. This icon will be greyed out until an option field or attribute field are selected.

To Copy Attributes to the Clipboard

1. Select an Attribute field on a line with notes you wish to copy.
2. Click the Attribute Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4. 
3. Check the Part Number and Description at the top of the dialog to verify the part selection.
4. Review the Current Attribute selections to be copied.
5. Click Copy to Clipboard.
6. Enter a Name and Description to identify the set of notes and click OK.
7. The saved items now show in the Copied Items section.

To Paste Attributes from the Clipboard

1. Select an Attribute field on a line that needs the notes applied.
2. Click the Attribute Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4. 
3. Find the line for the Copied Items to apply and click the checkbox in the Active column to activate it.
4. Review the Active notes in the Preview section.
5. Click Paste to apply them to the selected record line.

Remove Attributes from the Clipboard

1. Select any Attribute field to activate the Attribute Clipboard.
2. Click the Attribute Clipboard on the Options tab or press Shift + F4.
3. Find the line for the Copied Items to be deleted and click the checkbox in the Active column to activate it.
4. Review the Active notes in the Preview section.
5. Click Remove.