Update Revit Door Schedules with Ideate BIMLink

Update Revit Door Schedules with Ideate BIMLink.

Doors, more so than many other model elements, present a data management challenge as they often represent a strong mixture of both Instance and Type parameters.  Here are some tips to effectively manage Door data.

 

STEP 1 - Start with a Revit Schedule
The quickest way to edit your Door data is to begin with your existing Door Schedule.  

  1. Select the From Schedule... button.
  2. Next, select your Door Schedule from the list of available Schedules.
  3. The Link Type will default to Instance.  Select Next> and proceed to the Properties tab Link of the Link Properties dialog. Read Manage Revit Element Properties with Ideate BIMLink.  Most of the Revit properties should map to the newly created Link.  For more information on this process refer to the topic: Create a Link from a Revit Schedule with Ideate BIMLink.
  4. Select Done to return to the main dialog.

STEP 2 - Enable Type Swapping
Often, an edit to a Door Schedule includes swapping one Type or Family for another. To enable this functionality within your Excel file you will need to include the 'Family and Type' property, which is editable for Instance Links only.

Enable Type Swapping in Revit with Ideate BIMLink

  1. While on the Properties tab, review the list of properties on the right-hand side.
  2. This property is a System parameter.  Use the Search Text Box to find it quickly. See Display Revit Filters and Grouping with Ideate BIMLink.
  3. If the 'Family and Type' property is missing, select it from the left-hand side and use the Add button to include it.
  4. Switch to the Link tab, and ensure that the Link Option to “Export with dropdown values in Revit” is selected.
  5. Select Done to return to the main dialog.

STEP 3 - Create a Type Link
The Link created during the previous steps should reflect all Instance parameters as editable, with a few exceptions. Refer to Read-Only Revit Properties with Ideate BIMLink. However, you may also want to edit the Type parameters, which are currently displayed as gray (read-only).  

  1. Select Door Link defined in the previous steps and right-click.
  2. Select the ‘Convert Link’ option from the Right-click menu. Refer to Convert Links in a Revit Model Project with Ideate BIMLink.
  3. With this new Type-based Link, select the Properties button to view the results.
  4. If you want to be able to edit the Family or Type names, add those properties separately and remove the Family and Type property from your Type Link.
  5. Select OK to return to the main dialog.

STEP 4 - Export to Excel

  1. Select Door Link defined in the Steps 1 & 2 and use the Export button to save the Excel file.  
  2. Select OK when the export is complete.
  3. Select the Door Types Link defined in Step 3 and use the Export button to save to the same Excel file.  This will create a new worksheet within the same file.
  4. After the export is complete, select Open File.

STEP 5 - Edit in Excel
Large volumes of Door data can now be edited within the Excel workbook.  Review the current tab and use the first tab to edit the Instance data then use the second tab to edit the Type data.

Edit Revit Door values in Excel with Ideate BIMLink

If a door instance needs to be swapped for another type, make this change within the Family and Type column.

STEP 6 - Import the Changes
When editing both Instance and Type data simultaneously, it is recommended that the Type data be imported first, and then the Instance data.  

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