topic Re: Creating a Dummy Table in Revit MEP Forum

Creating a Dummy Table

ebsoares — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:02:42 GMT

Is there a way to create an actual table in Revit? Not necessarily a schedule, which has data tied to real elements/components in the model, but a dummy table with content simply typed in it for the purpose of extra info, not tied to anything live in Revit.

If there is a way, could you please explain how to make it?
Currently, what we have been doing is, I'm serious, creating vertical and horizontal lines to mimic the table, and have a single piece of text in each "cell"...

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

Edgar

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

sragan — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:26:06 GMT

Not sure if you are trying to make a separate dummy table, or extend some additional info onto an Revit table?

For the 1st case, you can make a table in autocad and import it into revit. You can even make the table in Excel, import it into autocad with data links, and then import the autocad table into revit. Its not as bad as it sounds - probably only 5 or 10 min to set up.

If you are trying to add extra info to a Revit table, adding extra parameters is probably the way to go. They can be text or number parameters, but that way you can just extend an existing table. You can also type the info. for these "parameters" right into the table. You don't always have to go back to the element or family to change the text.

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

ebsoares — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 16:02:33 GMT

Thank you so much for the super quick reply, @sragan, but oh, that was not what I was looking to find out 😁.

Yes, I am indeed trying to create a new table with all content not linked to anything in Revit (really, just a dummy table). I was aware about linking AutoCAD files to Revit, though doing so simply to work with tables is not optimal. I am not a big fan of adding complexity to files/models for such small purposes, though I understand linking perhaps Excel files to tables (due to Excel's much better handling of formulas and whatnot)...

If I could trouble you just a little further, is there really no other way to have an in-Revit table (standalone, not linked to anything inside or outside of Revit)? Perhaps an add-in that adds that functionality?

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

sragan — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 16:43:54 GMT

Have a look at this:

How to Create a Table in Revit | CADnotes (cad-notes.com)

I think they basically use an unused category (not many people use topology, so thats one option). Once you get the table set up, you can add rows and enter text. You can also hide the columns that refer to "topology", so they don't really matter.

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

ToanDN — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:58:35 GMT

@ebsoares wrote:

Is there a way to create an actual table in Revit? Not necessarily a schedule, which has data tied to real elements/components in the model, but a dummy table with content simply typed in it for the purpose of extra info, not tied to anything live in Revit.

If there is a way, could you please explain how to make it?
Currently, what we have been doing is, I'm serious, creating vertical and horizontal lines to mimic the table, and have a single piece of text in each "cell"...

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

Edgar

Several ways, all free:

- Create a Key Schedule using an unused category. This works okay if your text are brief. if your text are paragraph long then editing the table can be a hassle and you may even need to use Multi-line Text instead of normal Text parameters in order to see and edit the text content effectively.

- Datalink an excel table in AutoCAD and link the DWG in Revit. It works okay as long as you are comfortable with datalink mechanism.

- Newer versions of Revit can link PDF so you could export an Excel table to PDF and link PDF pages in Revit. When you need update, simply re-export the PDF and reload PDF pages.

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

ebsoares — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:52:09 GMT

Wow @sragan, as far as workarounds go, this is a great! Just short of an "annotation" table 😊

It fixes my problem to a "T".

Thanks a bunch!

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

ebsoares — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:55:13 GMT

Thanks for the reply, @ToanDN. It's similar to what @sragan, though you also mentioned the PDF option. I think that short of the "schedule keys", this PDF option would still be a step closer to a solution than linking to AutoCAD.

Again, thank you both for helping a Revit newbie!

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

iainsavage — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:34:03 GMT

Its good that you got a solution but I would encourage you to get to grips with Revit schedules and adding your own parameters - once you get used to it you’ll probably never go back to “dumb” tables.

Re: Creating a Dummy Table

ebsoares — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 19:58:02 GMT

I'm with you there...