Excel into Sketchup or Layout

Matte · 1 Dec 2020, 23:51

Good day to all,
I have been wrestling for the past few week trying to get an excel file into Layout, so I can show the prices of things along with my sketches of things so people understand the extent of repairs needed. I do all the pricing in excel to keep the changing costs up to date. Importing into Layout ALWAYS crashes every few minutes or so. Trying to do what it is "supposed to work"? ... So my "thinking" was to import the “ALL” info, into Sketchup so I could window the “Big Drawing” as a few sub-views of the overall. And place them next to each other as smaller views to show the “Over All”. But I have not figured out any way of "smoke and mirrors" way to set up such a thing up? Does anyone have any advice!!!!!! I see a few ways out there for… But, at OVER “3 grand” to do it! Since I can barely afford rent! That’s not an option! I am happy to pay a few bucks to “get things done”, but that’s WAY out of my wheel house to even consider. Any advise GREATLY appreciated!
Thank’s Maka

Dave R · 2 Dec 2020, 00:47

Is this in LO2017 as your profile indicates you are using? Can you share the .xlsx file via a PM so I can try it? Let me know what range of cells you want to use.

Matte · 3 Dec 2020, 13:08

Hi Dave and all,
Until I figure out how to "xref" in to layout an Excel spreadsheet without major modifications to make it "work". (Oh, by the way, I am using 2017 Sketchup and Layout Pro if it matters?) I have "figured" out a work around.... Here is my "experiment"

1 - Put Excel on a 8-1/2x14 page layout (For shorter spreadsheet)
2 - Window around the needed info (Print type to be by selected.
3 - Print out with Cute PDF (As it allows higher DPI output) I select 3600 DPI - save to location
4 - Open with Adobe Acrobat Crop if needed > Export as an Image > PNG @ 600 DPI, (I did not know a
major improvement worth doing at a higher Res.)
5 - Then import onto Layout page, (Can't do to Sketchup... WAY to blurry). > Scale and place as
needed.

Lots of song and dance, but it get's things done. I just have to make and update image and pricing changes. And go through most of these steps again (Except step 5), just have to update newer image saved in same place with same name as original. So far that's "my only hillbilly" way until I figure out something more "professional". Hope this has some value to someone?
Mattee

Dave R · 3 Dec 2020, 13:50

Seems like a lot of screwing around for what you get out of it.

It wouldn't hurt if you updated to the latest version of SketchUp and LayOut, either.

jenny13857 · 22 Dec 2020, 17:32

Can someone please share a screenshot of how it is done from excel to layout?

Dave R · 25 Dec 2020, 14:38

@jenny13857 said:

...share a screenshot...

Shouldn't need a screenshot. Go to File>Insert and select your .xlsx file. Then choose the range of cells you want in the pop up window.

Your profile says you are using SketchUp 8 Free/Make. If that is correct, you don't have LayOut to import the .xlsx file into. If you are using SketchUp 8 Pro then you have LayOut 3 and it doesn't have the option to import .xlsx files at all.