Invalid column unit type

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm pretty new to revit (Revit LT 2020) and have encountered a problem. I'm creating a detail that needs purlin (Z and C) detail components, I download the components from a source online but i get the following error every time I try to load the family - "Invalid column unit type" followed by "Could not parse column header". What's going on here? Is a syntax issue with the text file that came with the family? How can I trouble shoot this?

[stanakaWA3XQ]

Hi Everyone,

Had the same issue as everyone else but I believe I have found the culprit. Seems to be specifically a Revit 2021 change to the identifiers. See the two links below. 

For your specific issue on GALLONS_US_PER_MINUTE the fix is changing that to US_GALLONS_PER_MINUTE (this was my issue specifically as well).

AUTODESK ARTICLE

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

INDEX OF RENAMED IDENTIFIERS

https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2021/ENU/?guid=Revit_API_Revit_API_Developers_Guide_Introduction_...

[mark.ryanV3F5A]

@dmoyanoCX7Y2 , @clomedico , @dbassettBPWBK , @OrmondAllred 

, @barthbradley , @IGNACIOB-SGM , @Anonymous , 

In family type catalogs and other database export operations, units and related objects are identified by specially formatted text strings.
Revit 2021 introduces corrections and formatting changes to these database identifiers.

In order to resolve this issue:

1. Review the Data identifiers modification for Revit 2021 are described in this help document.
2. Edit the text type catalog and replace the invalid column type parameter unit with the updated data identifiers.

(In other words, the specified unit from the above error message regarding the family that is being used [previous to Revit 2021] is now obsolete.  Substitute the obsolete unit using the help document above, and your family will work perfectly again).

[isosa9APBT]

The issue is that on Revit 2021 they changed the way Revit reads the text files. 2020 versions and older it would read GALLONS_US_PER_MINUTE while in the 2021 and going forward they change it to US_GALLONS_PER_MINUTE, dumb little change, I know.  All you have to do is go in the text file and change the part that has GALLONS_US_PER_MINUTE  to US_GALLONS_PER_MINUTE then save the text file. That should resolve the issue. Just make sure you keep a copy of the old text as you will still need it if you are working with someone using Revit 2020 or older. 

[adamh]

I've been fighting with this all day. Is there anything else you changed? I changed it as you showed and now keep getting an error  "Column 2: value = ,error = Enter a value or a formula starting with "=". Now it seems to recognize the type... it now doesn't recognize the value for it. Thanks.

[isosa9APBT]

Can you post the files? The thing with programming is that the text has to match exactly in a particular way or it won't work.

[adamh]

I've tried a variety of combinations and currently I've got it as "Unit Weight##force##pounds_force.

[barthbradley]

---

@adamh wrote:

I've tried a variety of combinations and currently I've got it as "Unit Weight##force##pounds_force.

---

Unit Weight Value##OTHER##,Unit Weight##FORCE##POUNDS_FORCE ?

[adamh]

I've tried the Unit Weight Value##other## but get the same error. Not sure why it's not finding the value. I can locate it further in the text file where the values for each unit are shown (2 different places) but for some reason it isn't recognizing them. I've even tried deleting the weight from the variables as well as the values listed for the units but still get the same error.

[isosa9APBT]

Do you need the 4-ton Unit? I was able to modify the text file to allow you to enter the other units. For some reason, there are two sets of units, they typically are aligned similary as you can see on the second image. I don't know why they set up the text file as they did in the first image. I deleted one set and left the other since it didn't require as much text editing. 

Give the text file a try and let me know if you need the 4 ton. I can probably edit the whole file to work, but it will take some time.

  

[adamh]

It worked to come in, but for some reason the model itself is a bit off (duct connection of model is no longer where it needs to be on the unit case). I'm not sure why the text file is missing the 048 size for the 2nd grouping of variables. I went back to the source (Daikin) and re-downloaded but it is still missing.

[isosa9APBT]

I did notice that when I was able to load the file. It seems like they rushed creating this family and the text file didn't get done correctly and the same with the actual Revit family. It's a lot easier to edit an existing text and family file than to create it from scratch. You can edit the Revit family and move things around to fit in the right place. 

You may want to check with them and make sure they did not get rid of the 4-ton unit for that model

[adamh]

Thank you for your help! They do have the 4-ton as we've got it on order. I'll see what I can do.

[isosa9APBT]

No problem. Let me know if they are able to get you the file. If not, I can piece something together from the original file. Good luck!

[eng_ahmed2293]

Big Thanks

[jason.macgregor]

open type catalogues of non-loading family and loading family and compare text.   #KILOGRAMS_PER_METER,Perimeter# works, #KILOGRAMS_MASS_PER_METER,Perimeter# is invalid.  remove the word i.e. MASS that doesn't belong. it is a 2 minute fix.

[jason.macgregor]

nailed it.

[WachterEngineer]

I frequently encounter this with our Revit families from manufacturers.  There are two ways we have addressed this:

1. Open the accompanying .txt file and search for "pounds" in the text editor. 
2. Change "pounds" to "kips".
3. Save the file and reload.

Second method is to:

1. go to the "Manage" section and click on "Project Units".  
2. Change the "Discipline" to "Structural"
3. Scroll down to "Weight"; this should read "1234.57 lbf"
4. I have found that the "pounds" used in predominantly all manufacturer's data should be revised to read "pound_force" to align with the Weight variable in "Project Units". Note it is singular "pound".  It's merely a syntax, albeit widespread, error.

Follow me for more tips on how manufacturer's set up airflow directions improperly on duct connections 😂

[donaldd_X8BJBPWYY7HC]

Hi Sir,

Could you help me fix the error?

The error is "Invalid column unit type: POUNDS" & "Could not parse column header: Pump Weight"

[isosa9APBT]

Give this a try. I only had to change the POUNDS to POUNDS_FORCE and it works for me.

[donaldd_X8BJBPWYY7HC]

Thank you very much. It's now working. 😍