Anyone interested in appraisal forms in Excel?

[Jim Shoe]

Importing Excel into WinTotal

I have been using Excel to develop my reports before exporting the finished work into WinTotal. I find it particularly useful to import MLS and any other comma-separated data into Excel. Check boxes can be linked just like any other cell. No need to worry about how the information or fields are presented in Excel just as long as it is easy for the user to input the data. Does ACI have the ability to import an Excel spreadsheet?

 

[EDWARD BERRY]

Sure, Screen Capture It And Paste.
Caustic, Ed

 

[Tejus]

Alan,
When working with Word did you try using linked spread sheets from Excel? I can't help but think the two programs working together would lead to the best system. Using a combination of mail-merge template and linked spreadsheet calculations, I think a very flexible design would be possible.

Yes, but there were Word limitations when importing Excel items.

An appraisal report is primarily data driven with some text. I quickly realized Excel provides better data support and a better overall solution. There are limitations in Excel, but I found those much easier to work around rather than the Word limitations.

Are you saying that you created a narrative appraisal template using Excel? I'm not referring to a form report for residential. I'm asking about an automated narrative report generator that will accommodate a 75-page commercial appraisal.

The report type does not matter. All my reports are narrative. Each report consists of a std template containing things like cover page, toc, cover letter, invoice, std addendums, etc. You then have a library of stuff which can be auto-magically added to the report. The library of stuff can be anything, i.e. residential forms, commercial comments/text/analysis template, etc. Everything in the report can be modified as needed. If your library does not have what you need, then create it on the fly and save it for future use.

I'm baffled why there is a perception that residential vs commercial report generation mechanics are different. As identified in an earlier post:

appraisal report generation is a relatively simple problem which can be solved relatively easily. i commend the appraisal software vendors for convincing most people otherwise, then selling them software to solve the perceived complex problem. they've done their job well. attaboy and keep up the good work.

bueno suerte.

 

[Couch Potato]

Yes, but there were Word limitations when importing Excel items.

An appraisal report is primarily data driven with some text. I quickly realized Excel provides better data support and a better overall solution. There are limitations in Excel, but I found those much easier to work around rather than the Word limitations.

I've seen limitations when importing as a table, but not when just linking the file. Could you please be more specific on the limitations?

 

[David Bailey]

Alan,
When working with Word did you try using linked spread sheets from Excel? I can't help but think the two programs working together would lead to the best system. Using a combination of mail-merge template and linked spreadsheet calculations, I think a very flexible design would be possible.

You are correct CP. If designed properly, the Word/Excel tandem is extremely efficient and (most importantly) flexible.

 

[aggie1tbh]

George Hatch, I'm interested in helping develop something in excel with you. I've used excel/word combo for nearly 5 years in the commercial world and am looking to begin doing residential and feel more comfortable with excel than a couple of the appraisal software programs that I've used previously. Shoot me an e-mail at tb_huey@yahoo.com and we can get something started. Thanks.

 

[teachme]

Do any appraisers actually use all these features that the appraisal software vendors provide?

 

[Couch Potato]

Do any appraisers actually use all these features that the appraisal software vendors provide?

Yes. :new_all_coholic:

 

[Smokey Bear]

Sure, Screen Capture It And Paste. This prints out pretty much illegible. Create a blank word doc, import the spreadsheet (select paste special, link) and then import the word doc into ACI addendum. Comes out nice and clean that way.

 

[Howard Klahr]

Could you please be more specific on the limitations?

One issue if you use the merge option is that there is a cap on the number of fields that can be merged. I don't recall the specific number but there is a limit. Also, with direct links between Word and Excel you can really bog down performance with large documents. A better approach is to use links that only update manually.

Although the table function in Word is loosely based on the Excel engine, Word does not handle all of the functions from Excel and depending on how complex the table, there can be issues here.

I use the approach of pasting many tables from Excel as an "Enhanced Metafile" Picture thru the Paste Special command. This inserts the object from Excel as a graphic object similar to a picture which can be placed and sized, but not edited inside Word. This method allows me to paste Excel tables that would be too large to fit the desired allotted space in the Word document, but that are re-sized and yet remain legible.