VisiSpecs® User Library
Self-Guided Tutorials, FAQs & Bulletins

If you don’t find what you are looking for below, please email new feature requests and usage issues (attaching VisiSpecs screenshots and related files to clearly explain your request) directly to support@chalklineinc.com.

Click Videos Here

VisiWord® Tutorials

  • Create Your First Project
    Import your master and project docs into a VisiSpecs Project

  • Editing Features
    VisiWord features to save time editing and managing projects.

  • Project Tree
    Manage your project, folders, and doc settings using the customizable Project Tree.

  • Title Page Customization
    Customize the VisiSpecs title page or import your own Word title page.

  • Table of Contents Customization
    Modify the automated VisiSpecs TOC styles, page counts, and doc listing.

  • Header/Footer and Page Layout
    Auto-Apply your preferred H/F and Page Layout to Project Docs.

  • Doc Style Updater and Mapper
    Auto-Apply styles and formats from your design guide templates.

  • Collaboration with Team Members
    Share projects with internal and external team members with restricted access.

  • Project Publishing
    Publish PDFs/Manual, Export Projects, and Create Outline Reports.

  • Sheet Specs
    Publish your specs to be placed on Sheets/Drawings instead of creating Spec Books.

  • Reports
    Project logs, QA, Submittal, Outline, and more reports.

  • Building Product Manufacturer Selector
    Select manufacturers and products for your specs from popular and preferred sites.

  • Keynote Manager
    Manage Keynotes integrated with your Project Specs and validate throughout the design phases.

  • Project Key Filtering
    Edit many project docs based on your project setting such as LEED or state codes.

  • Doc Key Filtering
    Edit related paragraphs and bracket options with a single checkbox selection.

  • Model Integration Manager
    Integrate, coordinate, and verify specs and BIM objects.

  • Model Key Filtering
    Link and automated document editing based on model elements.

  • Master Manager
    Maintain your company master template docs more easily by reviewing the updates made to your subscribed masters.

  • Addendum Styles
    Use VisiSpecs and Word styles for addenda.

VisiRevit® Tutorials

  • VisiRevit Application Overview
    An introduction to the VisiRevit application, menus, and windows.

  • VisiRevit Project Tree
    The Project Tree of folders, docs, and hyperlinks centralizes project data for access in Revit or Word.

  • VisiRevit Data Tree
    The Data Tree displays all the elements placed in the model based on the filter settings.

  • VisiRevit Link Console
    The Link Console lists your elements, materials, and documents and the link status of each.

  • VisiRevit Doc Linker
    The Doc Linker assists the user in finding the docs to link to the selected element or material.

  • Keynote Manager
    Manage keynotes integrated with your project specs and validate them throughout the design phases.

  • Keynote Assign / Place / Verify
    VisiSpecs keynote assignment, placement, and verification tools.

  • SpecsIntact UFGS Integration
    Federal project BIM integration, keynoting, and delivery of an integrated project.

VisiSpecs Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Client Support

Can I include consultant-provided PDF files in my project manual?

Yes. Use the Insert Documents > Import Docs from File System menu pick. The Importer will automatically set up the Numbers, Names, and Division Folders based on the filename of the PDF(s) which you may edit in Step #3 of the Importer if needed. Be sure to right-click in the project tree to View the Item Info and uncheck Exclude This Document From The Table of Contents if you want the TOC to automatically include the PDF(s) and page counts for you.

Can I set up my own custom Project Tree folder structure for use on projects?

Absolutely! Probably the best way to do this is to create a Group Template Project with your custom edited folder structure, initial project sections and files and hyperlinks, and custom project settings. Each new project you create in that group will prompt you to use the project template. Another option is to open your project and do a Save Project As to create new projects.

How do I create a template project with my default settings and documents?

Create a template project (or rename an existing one) with “Group Template” in the project name (include the quotes) such as Healthcare “Group Template”. Each new project created in that group will prompt the user to use the group template project or not as a starting point which will copy all of the project settings, search paths, documents, etc. to the newly named project.

How do I modify Project Tree items?

Right-click in the project tree area and select Edit Project Tree. You may also right-click in the project tree area to add project files and hyperlinks, and to remove documents.

Is there a good way to indicate which documents are complete and which still need work?

Project Status Flags are a great way to do this. Right-click in the project tree and toggle to show the flags. Click on a document’s flag to change it to Green (completed) or Yellow or Red. You may also run the Project Status report showing all of the project documents and their flag statuses.

The VisiSpecs Word Add-in is no longer in my menus.

Microsoft Windows and Word updates can remove Add-ins from the ribbon menus.

To enable the Add-in, do one of the following in Word:

  1. File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Click Go
    1. Check the box to enable VisiWord and click OK (do not click Add).
  2. File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins (use the dropdown to go to Disabled Items) and click Go
    1. Select VisiWord. Click Enable, then Close.

Close and reopen Word to ensure the VisiSpecs tab and ribbon menu are enabled. If neither of these keeps VisiWord enabled, uninstall using the Control Panel and then install VisiWord again.

What are some general troubleshooting steps?
  1. Are other users able to reproduce the same issue?
  2. If you log in using another PC, do you see the same issue?
  3. Does it happen on all project documents (or projects) or just the one you are working on?
  4. Have you closed Word, verified there are no dead processes that need to be killed using the Task Manager, and then reopened to resolve the issue?
  5. Review the Known Issues area of the Administration > About > Version Log to see if there is a workaround available.
  6. If you have had a recent Word or Windows update, a reboot is sometimes needed to complete the installation and reset Word Add-ins.
  7. If you are importing documents and have an issue, open the original document before import to make sure there is no acknowledgment that needs to be clicked, then import again.
  8. If further assistance is needed, email the document in question, the DGT if it is part of the issue, a snapshot of the issue/project settings dialog/error message, etc. to support@chalklineinc.com.

For a more complete list of troubleshooting steps, click VisiSpecs Ribbon Menu > Help. The end of the VisiSpecs User Guide is a great resource for troubleshooting a variety of issues.

VisiSpecs Technical Support Bulletins