Importing an XML File from WinEst

You use an XML file to import your WinEst estimate into BidMatrix.

Important: You cannot import an estimate into a project where an estimate was previously uploaded. However, you can add items and modify existing items in the Estimate Sheet. Any changes you make on the estimate sheet are automatically updated the Summary Sheet.

Before you import an XML file

Make sure the items in the estimate are assigned to both a bid package and a bid package phase that is associated with the bid package. This is typically done by using WinEst WBS codes to represent bid package and bid package phase.

Important: If you use alternates, only the alternates selected as "on" in the WinEst estimate are included in the import. Be sure that each item in an alternate is also assigned to the appropriate bid package and bid package phase.

To import an XML file from Trimble® WinEst® into BidMatrix:

  1. Export the estimate you want to import into BidMatrix as an XML file:

    1. In WinEst, on the Tools menu, select Export.

    2. Select Export to XML.

  2. In the BidMatrix project:

    1. Display the project Summary Sheet.

    2. Select Import Estimate.

    3. Select Trimble® WinEst® from the list of import choices.

  3. Double-click the WinEst XML file or drag and drop the WinEst XML file to the import window.

    BidMatrix displays a list of all the WBS descriptions it finds in the XML file.

  4. Select the WBS description that represents the bid package descriptions.

  5. Select the WBS description in the WinEst estimate that represents the bid package phases. If these mappings would be the same for future estimates that you would be uploading to BidMatrix, you may want to select the box to remember these mappings.

  6. Select Upload to begin the import.

    When the import is complete, the Summary Sheet displays a bid package for each bid package that was included in the WinEst estimate. You can expand a bid package in the Summary Sheet to see the phases for that bid package. Each phase also displays the budget for that phase. By default, the budget is the cumulative total of the items that were assigned to the phase in WinEst.

    After the WinEst import, the Estimate Sheet is populated with every item from the WinEst estimate, including all item quantities, item category costs, and item WBS assignments.

    The WinEst import includes the item scope for each bid package phase. This is helpful as a reference, and can also help you when you are entering a subcontractor bids in a bid package and want to make sure a bid includes coverage for the entire scope of the phase.

    To view the item scope for each bid package phase, right-click the bid package phase code or the bid package phase description and then select Scope.