How to Create Table in MicroStation V8i?

Creating tables in MicroStation V8i can enhance your designs by allowing you to manage data efficiently within your drawing environment. Below is a comprehensive guide explaining how to create and manage tables in MicroStation V8i.

Starting the Table Tool

1. Access the Table Tool:
   Open MicroStation V8i and navigate to the main menu. Click on Drawing in the top menu bar, then proceed to Annotate followed by selecting the Table option. This will initialize the Place Table tool.

Configuring the Table Settings

1. Set up Table Options:
   Once the Place Table tool window appears, you will see various settings. Look for the option named From file and select it. This setting enables you to insert a table from an external file, such as an Excel spreadsheet.

2. Locate Your File:
   Click the Browse icon next to the File Name field. A dialog box will open, allowing you to navigate through your directories. Find the Excel file containing the data you want to import. After selecting the file, click the Open button to load your data.

Placing the Table in the Design

1. Position Your Table:
   After loading your Excel file, you now need to specify where to place the table within your design. You can do this by clicking on the desired location in your drawing area. Adjust the size and placement as needed to fit your design layout.

Editing Your Table

1. Open Properties to Edit:
   To make adjustments to your table after it is placed, go to the Properties Dialog. Select the table you wish to edit from your design.

2. Unlock the Table:
   In the Properties window, look for a section labeled Extended. Here, change the Locked property to Unlocked, granting you the ability to make modifications to the table’s data.

Exporting and Importing Data

1. Exporting to Excel:
   If you need to export the data from MicroStation back to Excel, launch the Data Manager within your project. Once there, choose the relevant view (like an Equipment List) and click on File, followed by Export. In the dialog, select the option for Excel and finalize your export by choosing a save location and a file name. Make sure the file type is set to Microsoft Excel Worksheet.

2. Importing a CSV File:
   To bring a CSV file into MicroStation, open the CSV file in Excel first. Go to the File menu and select Save As, then choose CSV (Comma Delimited) as the format. After saving the file, navigate back to MicroStation, open the Levels option, and you can proceed to import your CSV data as needed.

Utilizing AutoTable

1. Using AutoTable for Table Creation:
   If you prefer using AutoTable, open Excel and click the Options button on the AutoTable toolbar. Select the Other tab, and check the option to Import the print area only. This will allow AutoTable to bring in the selected range of data from your worksheet into MicroStation seamlessly.

Exploding and Replacing Cells

1. Exploding a Cell:
   If you require breaking down a cell into simple elements, utilize the Drop tool found under Tools > Drop. This will allow you to separate components within a cell easily.

2. Replacing Cells:
   To replace existing cells in your design, open the Replace Cells dialog. Set the Method to Replace and choose Single for the Mode. Select the cell you want to replace and designate the new cell to utilize.

Defining Sheet Boundaries

1. Establishing Sheet Boundaries:
   When working on sheets, you might want to define sheet boundaries. You can invoke the Sheet Boundary tool by right-clicking in the white area of your sheet model or by selecting it from the Models Manager dialog, ensuring your sheet model is active. Choose Define Sheet Boundary from the menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I import tables from applications other than Excel?
Yes, MicroStation supports importing tables from several applications as long as they are saved in compatible formats such as CSV.

Q2: What file formats are commonly supported for exporting tables from MicroStation?
Commonly, MicroStation allows exporting tables to formats like Microsoft Excel (XLSX/XLS) and Access.

Q3: Is there a limit to the size or number of rows/columns in a table created in MicroStation?
While there is no strict limit, practical usability may reduce efficiency with very large tables, especially in older versions like V8i. It’s advisable to keep tables manageable for better performance.