What linking does
A marker group on its own is just a count. Linking it to a database item binds the group to a specific priced product — typically a fitting or component with a unique product code, description, supplier, and unit cost. Once linked:
- The group's row in the Excel export carries the linked Code and Description.
- The group's sidebar row shows the code in monospace blue, with the description underneath.
- The link is per-group, so every marker in the group inherits the same pricing.
A drawing with all its groups linked is priced — ready for the estimating side of Ensign.Software to take it.
Where to open the picker
Four routes into the same dialog — the Database Items picker. Pick whichever is closest to where you are:
| From | How | When |
|---|---|---|
| The group's row | Click the Link button (blue) with on the right of the row (Stage 3) | Most direct route for an existing group |
| The group's dotted menu | → Link Item | Same effect, accessed via menu |
| Toolbar Linked Takeoff | Linked Takeoff → Auto Count | Open the picker first, then create a Detection group already linked |
| Keyboard shortcut | ⇧+⌥+SPACE | Same as Linked Takeoff → Auto Count |
All four paths open the same dialog. Pre-filters vary slightly — Linked Takeoff for Linear pre-filters to UOM = L, for Unit/Detection to UOM = U, and so on. You can change or remove the pre-filters in the dialog.
The Database Items dialog
When the picker opens, you see:
- Mode tabs as radio buttons at the top —
Components(the default for DB items),Contractors Choice,Assemblies. - A search field with placeholder "Search components...".
- Filter dropdowns for Category, Manufacturer, Heading, Group, UOM, Discount Band.
- A result table with columns: Code, Description, Category, Manufacturer, Heading, Group, UOM, Discount Band.
- A close button in the top-right.
Picking an item
- 1
Stay on the Components tab (it's the default).
- 2
Search by code, description, or any other field. Combine with the filter dropdowns to narrow further.
- 3
Read the result row. The Code column shows the product code (monospace), Description the long form.
- 4
Double-click the row to link. The dialog closes immediately — there's no extra confirm button.
The group's sidebar row now shows the code in monospace blue and the description in muted text below.
Double-click is the only way to select — single clicks just highlight the row. If you've clicked once and nothing happens, you need a second click.
What gets carried through
The linked item attaches:
- Code — the product code. Shows in the sidebar and in the Excel export's Code column.
- Description — long-form description. Shows underneath the code and in the export's Description column.
- Category, Manufacturer, Heading, Group, UOM — available for filtering in the picker, not currently shown in the export but available for the estimating-side
.sqliteexport.
What it doesn't automatically attach in the visible UI right now:
- Unit cost figures. The cost data exists in the database, but the on-screen Group Cost Overview component is not currently wired up to display it. Costs come through when the project is exported via Export Job for the estimating software.
See Reading the linked-item info on a group.
Closing the dialog without linking
- Click the close button .
- Press ESC.
The group keeps whatever link state it had before — closing without selecting doesn't unlink an existing item.
Removing or replacing a link
To unlink a group:
- 1
Open the dotted menu on the group's row.
- 2
In the linked item info block, click the remove button.
To swap one linked item for another, just open the picker again and double-click a different row — the new link replaces the old one.