Software Tips
Using TruePlanning Constants
In TruePlanning, you can create and link Constants to Input Sheet cells instead of entering actual values. When you calculate project results, TruePlanning uses the discrete value that the Constant represents. A single change to the discrete value of a Constant ripples its impact to every linked cell throughout the project. This functionality is especially useful when you want to rapidly edit values in your project when performing sensitivity analysis.
Create, define, edit, and manage Constants for a project in the Constants Manager, located under the Tools menu. You can link a Constant to a selected Input Sheet cell by right-clicking a Constant in the Constants Manager, or by right-clicking a cell in the Input Sheet. For example, you can use a Constant to represent a value that you expect to repeat in multiple Input Sheet cells (such as, a date or numerical quantity) and rapidly edit project Input Sheets by changing the discrete value that the Constant represents. The Constants that you create are saved with the project. You can link a Constant to multiple Input Sheets in the same project. Constants offer the flexibility to explore what-if scenarios and to rapidly test the cost impact of emerging information.
To open the Constants Manager:
1. Click the Tools menu, and select Constants.
To create and define a new Constant:
1. In the Constants Manager, click Add.
2. Type a name, value, and description for the new Constant. Always type the value in the same format that the Input Sheet requires. For example, a date would be entered in the format MM/DD/YYYY.
To link a Constant to an Input Sheet cell:
Select an Input Sheet cell and then use any of these methods to link the constant to it:
1. In the Constants Manager, right-click an available Constant Name, and click Link Constant.
2. On the Input Sheet, right-click an Input Sheet cell, point to Link Constant, and choose an available Constant.
To edit the value of a Constant:
1. In the Constants Manager, select a Value cell.
2. Type a new value.
Working with Constants in TruePlanning is as easy as 1-2-3. Use a constant to represent a value that you expect to repeat in multiple worksheet cells or that you expect to change frequently in multiple worksheet cells, such as in performing sensitivity analyses or accomplishing what if exercises. Then rather than change the discrete value in all locations of the project, edit the value of the constant in one place and it ripples through every linked cell when the project results are re-calculated.
