> ## 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.

# Sections & Shared Tables

> How to work with and manage sections in shared tables for Calcs.com templates

## Adding New Sections to Shared Tables

The main purpose of this guide is to help you add new sections to an existing Shared Table.

### Step-by-Step Process

1. **Obtain Section Properties File**
   * Ensure you have the file containing all necessary section properties
   * This file is typically provided by the user making the request

2. **Navigate to Shared Tables**
   * Go to `ClearCalcs/dev-environment/scripts/sharedTables`
     ![Shared Tables Location](https://t6927027.p.clickup-attachments.com/t6927027/db8912e6-affb-4ce5-83e3-87d9abae3ffd/image.png)

3. **Open Target Excel File**
   * Select and open the .xlsx file where you want to add the new sections

4. **Format Section Properties**
   * Add the section properties according to the format of the existing Shared Table
   <Tip>
     It's a good idea to organize the new sections in a separate file first to avoid accidentally modifying other data.
   </Tip>

5. **Add Sections to Excel**
   * Once organized, copy and paste them into the appropriate spot in the .xlsx file
   * Save the file

### Generating the JSON File

There are two ways to generate the JSON file:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="In a Calculator (Preferred)">
    1. Open a calculator that uses the sharedTable in the builder
    2. Find the lookup that uses the sharedTable and open it
    3. Select "Org Shared Table" in the lookup data

    ![Org Shared Table Option](https://t6927027.p.clickup-attachments.com/t6927027/6df75da2-a9c1-4ee9-80b4-b22ae776c854/image.png)

    4. Click on "Select Shared Table" and upload the Excel file
    5. It'll automatically get added to the calculator (so you can test right away) and download the JSON file
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In the Builder">
    1. Go to the Calculator builder and click on "Show Shared Tables"

    ![Show Shared Tables Button](https://t6927027.p.clickup-attachments.com/t6927027/c0550efc-725d-422d-973c-3005050d4315/image.png)

    2. You'll see a button to upload a sharedTable
    3. Once the upload is complete, the JSON file will automatically download

    ![Upload Shared Table](https://t6927027.p.clickup-attachments.com/t6927027/eabb396a-17e7-46b2-9d81-68143854cd80/image.png)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Final Steps

7. **Pin the New Shared Table Version**
   * Follow the instructions for pinning your new shared table version to the templates

8. **Commit Changes**
   * Commit all changes including:
     * The .xlsx file
     * The JSON file
     * Any files from the pinning step

## Shared Table Poking

Shared table poking allows you to override values in shared tables for testing and development purposes.

### How It Works

* Shared tables can be "poked" to temporarily override values
* This is useful for testing edge cases or debugging
* Changes are temporary and don't affect the actual shared table

### Common Use Cases

1. **Testing with Different Section Properties**
   * Override section dimensions
   * Test with different material properties
   * Verify calculations with edge cases

2. **Debugging Template Issues**
   * Isolate problems by changing specific values
   * Test calculation responses to different inputs

## Section Request Workflow

### Upwork Flow for Section Requests

When sections need to be added via external contractors:

1. **Create Clear Specifications**
   * List all required section types
   * Specify property requirements
   * Include relevant standards references

2. **Post on Upwork**
   * Use standardized job template
   * Include example files
   * Set clear deliverables

3. **Review and Validate**
   * Check all properties match standards
   * Validate against existing sections
   * Test in relevant calculators

### Adding & Validating CFS Sections

Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections require special attention:

<Warning>
  CFS sections must be validated against appropriate standards before adding to shared tables.
</Warning>

#### Validation Process

1. **Property Verification**
   * Check geometric properties
   * Verify section modulus calculations
   * Confirm moment of inertia values

2. **Standards Compliance**
   * Ensure compliance with relevant standards (AISI, AS/NZS, etc.)
   * Document standard references

3. **Testing**
   * Test in CFS-specific calculators
   * Verify capacity calculations
   * Check for edge cases

## Importing Tables from Web Sources

### Direct Import from Web to Excel

To import tables directly into Excel from web sources:

1. **Open Excel**
   * Create new workbook or open existing

2. **Use Data Import Feature**
   * Go to Data → From Web
   * Enter the URL containing the table

3. **Select Table**
   * Excel will identify tables on the page
   * Select the appropriate table

4. **Transform Data**
   * Use Power Query to clean and format
   * Apply necessary transformations

5. **Load to Worksheet**
   * Load the cleaned data
   * Save as .xlsx for shared table use

<Note>
  Always verify imported data against original sources before using in shared tables.
</Note>

## Best Practices

### Organization

* Keep sections organized by type and standard
* Use consistent naming conventions
* Document any custom sections

### Version Control

* Track changes to shared tables
* Document reasons for additions/modifications
* Maintain backwards compatibility

### Testing

* Test new sections in relevant calculators
* Verify all properties are accessible
* Check for conflicts with existing sections

### Documentation

* Document custom sections thoroughly
* Include calculation methods for derived properties
* Reference applicable standards