This top tip shows how to use the Load data from template tool to quickly load data across the model. The Model data grid view tool covered in this top tip also allows data to be loaded in bulk but it is a lot more flexible, enabling you to:

• Quickly set data throughout your models at block, zone, surface or opening levels.
• Set data directly or by loading from templates.
• Review any model data for QA/QC purposes.
• Grid data can be filtered, sorted and grouped allowing you to edit and view the data exactly as required.
• Set up custom layout templates to edit/view the types of data that you most often need to work with.
• Export/Import data to/from a spreadsheet format to allow editing the model outside of DesignBuilder or for preparing model reports.

To use the tool follow these steps:

1. Click on the Model data grid viewicon to open the main Management dialog.
2. If a layout already exists that provides the data you need, select it from the list.
3. Otherwise if you need to create a custom layout, click on the Manage Layouts button to view the options, then click on the New button to create a layout.
4. Once you have selected a layout in the list click on either the View or the Edit button to load the requested model data to the grid.
5. This opens the Model Data Grid View dialog, displaying the data requested in the Layout for viewing or editing. If you selected to view the data you can always enable editing later by checking the Edit checkbox at the top of the grid dialog.
6. To change data on multiple rows in the grid select the rows you would like to edit and then check the Bulk Edit This highlights the selected rows in blue and then any edits you make to one of the rows will be applied to all selected rows.
7. Once you have finished making changes click on the Apply button on the top right to save your changes and close the dialog.

To sum up, when it comes to making bulk changes across a DesignBuilder model you can choose from any of 3 different methods:

• The built-in Model Data Inheritance mechanism allows data to inherit down to lower levels in the hierarchy and is ideal for making global settings across the building when differences can be inherited from building to block to zone to surface to opening.
• The Model Data Grid View tool described here provides a completely flexible approach where the differences can be defined manually. 
• The Load Data from Template tool provides a quick way to load settings across the model from one or more of the Construction, Glazing, Façade, Activity or Lighting templates. Data can be loaded to the whole model, to specific objects within the model, or a filter can be set up to allow the template to be loaded only to specifically selected parts of the model.

You can read up on further functionality built into the Model Data Grid View tool such as exporting and importing to/from a spreadsheet csv file in the Program help.