How to use Internal Referencing in Cubit

A guided demo is included at the bottom of each section.

Referencing in Cubit Estimating allows you to build dynamic formulas that pull values from other items in your Job or Price List. These formulas automatically update whenever the referenced values change, making them a powerful tool for creating linked, flexible estimates.

You can use referencing to:

• Combine or total values from different items
• Calculate percentages (like contingencies or fees)
• Consolidate values from specific columns (Quantity, Rate, Total)
• Maintain consistency between items that share values

Overview
Each item in Cubit Estimating has a unique Reference Code (or Ref Code). You use these codes to reference values from one item in another. To reference a value, you write a formula using this structure:

@RefCode.Column

• @ tells Cubit you're referencing something
• RefCode is the unique identifier of the item
• .Column is the specific column you want to pull from, like .Qty, .Rate, or .Total

Example: @FloorSlab.Qty pulls the quantity value from the item with the Ref Code FloorSlab.

---

Enabling the Reference Code Column

To use referencing effectively, you’ll need to have the Ref Code column visible. This column displays the unique identifier for each item, which is required when building referencing formulas.

To display the Ref Code column:

1. Open your Job.

2. Right-click any column heading in the Estimate sheet.

3. Select Column Chooser from the menu.

4. Find and double click the checkbox for Ref Code.

5. The column will appear in your sheet. Use these codes in your referencing formulas.

You can also add Ref Codes manually or edit them by clicking directly into the Ref Code field.

---

Basic Referencing

What it is:
Basic referencing allows you to directly pull values from other items by referencing their Ref Code and column name (e.g. Quantity, Rate, or Total).

Why you’d use it:
To perform simple, direct calculations between individual items. Such as combining quantities, adjusting rates, or deriving values.

How it works:
Use the format @RefCode.Column, and combine as needed using standard math operations:

To Add: @WallA.Qty + @WallB.Qty

To Subtract: @Total.Qty - @Waste.Qty

To Multiply: @Area.Qty * @Rate.Rate

To Divide: @Cost.Total / @Area.Qty

When to use:
Great for custom, item-specific formulas or when referencing just a few known items.

Example | Adding two different quantity values

1. Click into the Quantity column of a new item.

2. Type @ followed by the code or description of the first item.

3. Add .Qty to specify the Quantity column.

4. Type +.

5. Type @ followed by the code or description of the second item, followed by .Qty.

6. Press Enter to complete the formula.

Finished Function:
@ES.CB469.QTY + @ES.CB450.QTY

---

SUM & TSUM Functions

The SUM and TSUM functions in Cubit Estimating are used to calculate totals, making them essential for measuring and summarising costs, quantities, or any numeric values across your Estimate or Calculation Sheets. These functions help users automate totals without manual addition, reducing input errors and improving the accuracy of estimates.

Both functions support efficient workflows in Cubit by reducing repetitive calculations and ensuring changes are reflected dynamically when source values are updated.

Find out more about these functions in the article below:

How to use the SUM & TSUM functions | Cubit Referencing – Buildsoft Help Center

---

YouTube Demo Guide

Here is one of our free training videos covering the topic of referencing.