> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Create an Organisation Shared Table

> Learn how to create, format, upload, and use an Organisation Shared Table in Calcs Builder.

## What Is a Shared Table?

An **Organisation Shared Table** is a reusable data table that you can reference from a **lookup widget** in Calcs Builder. It lets you store properties for a family of elements (e.g. bolts, sections, anchors) and then pull those properties into your calculations.

For example, the table below stores bolt properties such as:

* Diameter
* Minimum edge distance
* Nominal hole dimensions
* And more

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/clearcalcs/NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx/images/example_shared_table.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx&q=85&s=3a3272785ab222c30e816e8a45127c06" alt="example_shared_table.png" width="1374" height="694" data-path="images/example_shared_table.png" />

Once created, you can **upload the Excel file** as an Organisation Shared Table and use it across multiple templates.

***

## Step 1 – Build the Shared Table in Excel

<Tip>
  Important: To work correctly in Calcs Builder, your Excel file must follow a specific structure.
</Tip>

### 1.1 Required Header Rows (A1–A4)

Your sheet must start with these rows:

| label       |
| :---------- |
| symbol      |
| units       |
| referenceID |
| reference   |

Each column under these rows represents a **property** in your shared table.

### 1.2 What Each Row Means

* **label**\
  User-friendly name shown in the table, e.g. `Diameter`, `Nominal Dimension`, `Minimum Edge Distance`.

* **symbol**\
  Symbol shown in the preview (LaTeX format).
  * Example: for bolt diameter you might use `d_{bolt}`.

* **units**\
  Unit for that property (e.g. `mm`, `kN`, `MPa`). Can be left blank if not applicable.

* **referenceID**\
  Internal variable name used in equations and in the `L()` function.
  * Usually similar to the symbol but **without LaTeX formatting**.
  * Example: symbol `d_{bolt}` → referenceID `d_bolt`.

* **reference** (optional)\
  Source of the data for that property.
  * Example: `AISC 360-22`, `CSA`, or a specific handbook.

For more on symbols and reference IDs, see the [Calcs Builder Quick Start Guide](https://calcs.com/docs/calcs_builder/quick_start_guide).

***

## Step 2 – Example Header Setup

Here is an example for a bolt shared table:

| label       | Nominal Dimension | Diameter | Designation | Minimum Edge Distance | Nominal Hole Dimensions (Standard) | Nominal Hole Dimensions (Oversize) |
| :---------- | :---------------- | :------- | :---------- | :-------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| symbol      | d\_dim            | d\_bolt  | designation | e\_dmin               | d\_hole\_s                         | d\_hole\_o                         |
| units       |                   | mm       |             | mm                    | mm                                 | mm                                 |
| referenceID | d\_dim            | d\_bolt  | designation | e\_dmin               | d\_hole\_s                         | d\_hole\_o                         |
| reference   |                   | CSA      |             | CSA                   | CSA                                | CSA                                |

* Each **column** is one property.
* Each **row** defines how that property is displayed and used.

***

## Step 3 – Add Data Rows

Below the header rows, add the actual data:

| label       | Nominal Dimension | Diameter | Designation      | Minimum Edge Distance | Nominal Hole Dimensions (Standard) | Nominal Hole Dimensions (Oversize) |
| :---------- | :---------------- | :------- | :--------------- | :-------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| symbol      | d\_dim            | d\_bolt  | designation      | e\_dmin               | d\_hole\_s                         | d\_hole\_o                         |
| units       |                   | mm       |                  | mm                    | mm                                 | mm                                 |
| referenceID | d\_dim            | d\_bolt  | designation      | e\_dmin               | d\_hole\_s                         | d\_hole\_o                         |
| reference   |                   | CSA      |                  | CSA                   | CSA                                | CSA                                |
|             | 5/8''             | 15.875   | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 22                    | 17.4625                            | 20.6375                            |
|             | 3/4''             | 19.05    | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 25                    | 20.6375                            | 23.8125                            |
|             | 7/8''             | 22.225   | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 28                    | 23.8125                            | 26.9875                            |
|             | 1''               | 25.4     | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 32                    | 28.575                             | 31.75                              |
|             | 1-1/8''           | 28.575   | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 38                    | 31.75                              | 36.5125                            |
|             | M16               | 16       | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 22                    | 18                                 | 20                                 |
|             | M20               | 20       | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 26                    | 22                                 | 24                                 |
|             | M22               | 22       | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 28                    | 24                                 | 28                                 |
|             | M24               | 24       | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 30                    | 27                                 | 30                                 |
|             | M27               | 27       | ASTM F3125/F1554 | 34                    | 30                                 | 35                                 |

<Note>
  The first four rows define the structure. All rows below them are data entries.
</Note>

When finished, **save the file without spaces**, e.g.:

* `steelBoltsCA.xlsx` ✅
* `steel bolts CA.xlsx` ❌

***

## Step 4 – Upload the Shared Table to Calcs Builder

1. **Create or open a lookup widget**

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/clearcalcs/NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx/images/lookup_widget_sharedTable.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx&q=85&s=40d629f186046860a191826d9a0cd6ce" alt="lookup_widget_sharedTable.png" width="1186" height="1344" data-path="images/lookup_widget_sharedTable.png" />
2. **Select "Organisation Shared Table"**
3. **Click “Upload a shared table”** and choose your Excel file.
4. **Confirm it appears in the list**

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/clearcalcs/NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx/images/sharedTable_uploaded.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NhMtnFGjtExy_Tsx&q=85&s=e7e91d62f33180aaa8828a8d3ecdad86" alt="sharedTable_uploaded.png" width="2692" height="456" data-path="images/sharedTable_uploaded.png" />

That’s it, your shared table is now available in your calculator.

***

## Step 5 – Using `L()` to Extract Values

To use values from your shared table inside equations, call the `L()` function.

### 5.1 Function Format

```text theme={null}
L("lookup_reference_id", "property_reference_id")
```

### 5.2 Example

If your lookup has:

* Lookup referenceId: `Bolts`
* Property referenceID: `d_dim`

Use:

```text theme={null}
L("Bolts", "d_dim")
```

This returns the **Nominal Dimension** for the selected bolt.

## Download Example File

If you want to test everything above, you can download the example file here:

👉 **[steelBoltsCA.xlsx (Google Sheets Link)](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ogolSFb0FB-0UAbs6K9qIQwNGkB5-aaE/edit?gid=1202602056#gid=1202602056)**

You can download it as `.xlsx` and upload it into your Organisation Shared Tables to try the workflow yourself.