This article will walk you through the budget module at a high level.

(Important prerequisites) - Before you can use the budget module, you must first select or import your budget categories. We'll help you do this, or you can setup yourself in the company settings. 

The budget is truly the core of BuildTools. The budget functions much like a spreadsheet, but fine tuned for use in managing construction projects. Many of the columns are populated automatically by other modules - change orders, purchase orders, invoices are all automatically calculated based on work you do in other modules. Clicking on these calculated columns (on the number directly) will navigate you to a screen which displays the underlying information.

Many other modules tie back to the budget categories as a means of keeping everything organized. Selections are related to the budget categories, for example. For this reason, you should consider creating budget categories that will work well across many of the other modules.

Navigate to the Budget module.

The Budget menu

-The + icon allows you to add, edit and delete budget categories int he budget.  
-The pencil icon allows you to edit the details of the selected budget category.
-Trash can icon will delete the currently selected budget category
-The Lock icon will lock the budget and prohibits further changes until unlocked.  
-The Blowhorn icon will publish the current budget.  Until published, the working budget is only visible to your internal team.  This allows you to make changes and update a budget without changes being visible to your client.
-The comment icon will allow you to add a comment to the selected item.  Comments are connected to the item, but are also e-mailed to any selected users and will be visible in the Communication module.
-PO/ CO icons will create a PO (Purchase order) or CO (Change Order related to the selected budget category.
-Import/ Export icons allow you to import a budget created outside of BuildTools (in excel or similar spreadsheet software) or export the budget for use outside of BuildTools.
-The Template icon allows you to copy a budget, or details from a budget that you've used in the past, or in a template you have created.
-Report icon allows you to print the current budget in various forms.
-The expand/ collapse icons allow you to collapse the budget detail and view only the group totals.  
-The Eyeball icon toggles the category totals in the budget.  Turn off this added detail to simplify your view.
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The Budget slide-out

Accessed by double-clicking any of your cost categories