How do I add a count to a schedule in Revit?

To add a count to a schedule in Revit, you need to first include the Count field in your schedule and then configure its calculation settings within the schedule properties to display totals. Additionally, you can apply similar total calculations to other numerical fields, such as Total Cost.

Understanding Counts in Revit Schedules

A count in a Revit schedule provides a numerical tally of the items listed. For instance, you might want to know the total number of doors, windows, or specific components in your project. Revit's built-in Count field automatically assigns a value of '1' to each item, which can then be summed to give you a total quantity.

Adding an Item Count Field to Your Revit Schedule

To display a total count of items in your schedule, follow these steps:

1. Open Schedule Properties:

   • In the Project Browser, navigate to your desired schedule (e.g., a Door Schedule, Window Schedule).
   • Right-click on the schedule and select Properties, or select the schedule view in the Project Browser and click the Edit button next to "Fields" in the Properties palette. This will open the Schedule Properties dialog box.

2. Add the Count Field:

   • In the Schedule Properties dialog, go to the Fields tab.
   • From the "Available fields" list on the left, locate and select Count.
   • Click the Add Parameter button (the right-pointing arrow) to move Count to the "Scheduled fields" list on the right. You can use the "Move Up" and "Move Down" buttons to position it where you want in your schedule columns.

3. Configure Count Field Calculation:

   • Go to the Formatting tab within the Schedule Properties dialog.
   • From the "Fields" list on the left, select Count.
   • Under "Field Formatting" on the right, locate the Calculation dropdown. Change its setting from No Calculation to Calculate Totals. This will ensure that the schedule sums the '1' assigned to each item, displaying a grand total for the count.
   • Click OK to apply these changes.

4. Enable Grand Totals (Optional but Recommended):

   • For the total count to appear prominently, you typically enable grand totals. Go to the Sorting/Grouping tab in the Schedule Properties.
   • At the bottom of this tab, check the box for Grand Totals. You can then select how the grand totals appear (e.g., "Title, Totals & Counts," "Totals only").
   • Click OK to close the Schedule Properties.

Step-by-Step Summary for Adding Count:

1. Navigate to Schedule Properties (Project Browser > Right-click Schedule > Properties).
2. Go to the Fields tab.
3. Add the Count field from "Available fields" to "Scheduled fields."
4. Go to the Formatting tab.
5. Select Count from the "Fields" list.
6. Change its Calculation to Calculate Totals.
7. (Optional) Go to the Sorting/Grouping tab and check Grand Totals.
8. Click OK.

Calculating Totals for Other Numerical Fields (e.g., Total Cost)

Beyond just counting items, you might want to sum other numerical values within your schedule, such as Cost, Area, or Volume. For example, to get a Total Cost for all items in a schedule:

1. Open Schedule Properties: Access the Schedule Properties dialog as described above (Project Browser > Right-click Schedule > Properties).
2. Go to the Formatting Tab: In the Schedule Properties dialog, navigate to the Formatting tab.
3. Select the Desired Field: From the "Fields" list on the left, select the field you wish to sum (e.g., Total Cost).
4. Configure Calculation: Under "Field Formatting" on the right, change its Calculation from No Calculation to Calculate Totals.
5. Click OK: Apply the changes and close the dialog.

Practical Example: Calculating Total Cost

1. Open Schedule Properties.
2. Go to the Formatting tab.
3. Select the Total Cost field.
4. Set its Calculation to Calculate Totals.
5. Click OK.

Enhancing Schedule Presentation

After configuring your counts and totals, you can further refine your schedule's appearance:

• Customizing Labels: You can often type directly into the schedule cells to customize header text or grand total labels. Make your edits and then click OK or outside the cell to confirm.
• Sorting and Grouping: Utilize the Sorting/Grouping tab to group similar items together and apply subtotals. This can make your schedule much more organized and readable.
• Appearance: Use the Appearance tab to control grid lines, text styles, and graphic options for a professional look.

By following these steps, you can effectively add and manage counts and other total calculations within your Revit schedules, making them powerful tools for quantity take-offs and project analysis. For more detailed information on schedule properties, refer to the Autodesk Revit Help documentation on schedules.