Macro Template
A saved group of commonly used Xactimate line items that can be inserted together as a set. Accelerates estimate writing for repetitive scope patterns like a standard bathroom water loss, kitchen fire cleanup, or roof shingle replacement.
A macro template in Xactimate is a saved group of line items that can be inserted into an estimate together as a set. Macros capture repeatable scope patterns and save the time of rebuilding common scopes from scratch each time.
Why Estimators Use Macros
Many scope patterns recur. A standard bathroom water loss typically requires a known set of line items: contents removal, floor covering R&R, drywall removal and replacement to a specified height, paint, fixtures detached and reset, and mitigation drying. Rather than add each line individually for every similar loss, estimators save the pattern as a macro and insert it once, then adjust the line items for the specific project conditions.
Building Useful Macros
The best macros are scoped to a specific situation — a standard 8x10 bathroom water loss, a kitchen fire cleanup, a standard 20-square residential re-roof. They capture the common line items but leave quantities and specifics to be filled in per project. Macros that try to cover too many variations end up needing heavy editing every time they are used, which defeats the purpose.
Firm-Wide Macro Libraries
Larger restoration and supplement firms often maintain shared macro libraries that team members use across projects. This ensures consistent scope across estimators and captures firm-specific knowledge about what items to include for common loss types. Updating the macros as standards or pricing changes keeps the whole team using current scope.
Frequently asked questions
The terms overlap. A macro is a saved group of line items that can be inserted into an estimate at once. A template is a broader construct, often including macros plus project setup details. In everyday usage, estimators refer to both as macros or templates depending on the scope of what is saved.
User-created macros are saved to the user's Xactimate account or installation. They travel with the user across estimates but are not shared with other users by default. Some firms build shared macro libraries that propagate to team members to ensure consistent scope across estimators.
When writing supplements, macros for common supplement items (missed trim, code upgrade requirements, typical waste factor adjustments) can speed up the process. Every supplement has its own specifics, but patterns recur, and macros capture the repeatable portions so the estimator can focus on the project-specific details.
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