Show an Excel (or Word) table

[HVAC-Novice]

I have project information that I created in Excel (but it also could have been Word). The information has NOTHING to do with the model or parameters. I basically could use a screenshot and insert it as an image. 

What is my best option to show that table in Revit? Ideally I also like an easy way to update that table if I update the spreadsheet. if I use a screenshot, I guess I have to re-do that. 

I stumbled about DB link, but suspect this is parameter-based. I also couldn't find the add-in... 

Edit: Apparently there is a way by using AutoCAD. but that isn't dynamic either and seems to involve more steps than a screenshot. and I saw diRoots has a more direct way. But I cannot install unapproved software (IT rule...Applocker). So, I have to depend on what Revit or MS provide by default. 

I also looked into creating a dumb table in Revit, but that is equally not possible... it would be nice if there was an excel type plugin that allows creating dumb (without using model parameters) tables, but with some excel functions. 

[RDAOU]

@HVAC-Novice 

DB Link is useful for managing and analyzing model data outside of Revit, particularly in software like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, or other database. I do not recall that it directly supported Excel.

1. If the inforamtion has nothing to do with the podel or project parameters, I would say keep it as a pdf or image on a drafting view.
2. If it is a spreadsheet which you need to often edit/update you can link the fields of the spreadsheet to sharedparameters/labels in a generic annotation then recreate that soread sheet in revit
   • either use dynamo to transfer/sync the data
   • or use a plugin like Ideate BIMLink, BIMOne, diroots...not sure if pyrevit has that option too

[HVAC-Novice]

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@RDAOU wrote:

@HVAC-Novice 

DB Link is useful for managing and analyzing model data outside of Revit, particularly in software like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, or other database. I do not recall that it directly supported Excel.

1. If the inforamtion has nothing to do with the podel or project parameters, I would say keep it as a pdf or image on a drafting view.
2. If it is a spreadsheet which you need to often edit/update you can link the fields of the spreadsheet to sharedparameters/labels in a generic annotation then recreate that soread sheet in revit
   • either use dynamo to transfer/sync the data
   • or use a plugin like Ideate BIMLink, BIMOne...not sure if pyrevit has that option too

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Thanks for the response. The table doesn't contain anything that is a parameter or could be made a parameter easily. I also like to keep the flexibility of Excel. 

for now I use the screenshot -> Image -> 2D view. When I update the spreadsheet, I have to save a new screenshot and re-load in Revit. This is neither great, nor elegant. Best I can do for now is to put that image into the Revit file late in the process to minimize changes. 

my preferred method would to not use Excel to begin with. But since there is no "dumb" table or spreadsheet in Revit, this is where we are 😞

[RDAOU]

There is a way to link an excel to AutoCAD/dwg. You could use that and then link the dwg into Revit.

You would need to use AutoCAD basically once when u create the bridge file but from that point on you would update the excel and it would reflect in the linked dwg in revit

And there is a dumb spread sheet in Revit…You generate it in a Generic Annotation using lines and labels 

[HVAC-Novice]

I think this is the AutoCAD method you are talking about. It wasn't clear to me that it would be dynamic. I was under the impression, any changes to Excel, would require me to re-export the dwg file. I'll look into that more (I have to install AutoCAD first....I literally haven't touched AutoCAD for more than a decade )

I think what is needed for Revit is to get the same feature to skip the dwg file and AutoCAD. 

I think I wanted the manual table in Revit a bit less dumb than just making annotation lines. Like automatic wrapping and addition of columns/rows. Once you edit a table, any manual lines will be messy quickly. 

Edit: Installed AutoCAD 2025. Yak, people really use this? Anyway, I followed the video above. A problem is it cut off a column, it left merged cells empty. And the border formatting also disappeared. and I didn't really see options to overcome this. I think the screenshot method works better since it at least will maintain the formatting (merged cells, borders) I used in Excel. 

[ToanDN]

I use DiRoots to bring formatted Excel tables in Revit.  They can be brought in as Legend views, Drafting views, or schedules (format will be lost).   Not free but I found they deserved my money.

[HVAC-Novice]

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@ToanDN wrote:

I use DiRoots to bring formatted Excel tables in Revit.  They can be brought in as Legend views, Drafting views, or schedules (format will be lost).   Not free but I found they deserved my money.

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At some point I have to look into buying a "helper" tool like diRoots. But this is a 3-4 month process to get our IT to approve a software (if the vendor provides all required information, which isn't a given with cheap or free software). I only want to do it once to get a single tool to do ALL the little things I need to do in Revit. Until I can do this, I have to use oob tools. 

So does diRoots also maintain the formatting like merged cells or border marking? 

Here is the table in question. As you see, merged cells and border marking play a role here and I like to keep that visible in Revit. and it also isn't something i could create with a Revit schedule. Some fields are calculated in Excel (so, word wouldn't work)

[RDAOU]

@HVAC-Novice 

Im not in the Office, when I’m in I will try to record steps for you in a gif