> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/sel-faq/using-the-software/calculation-modules/analysis/section-property-calculator/importing-section-property-mod.md).

# Importing Section Property Calculator Results into a Beam or Column Module

Why Section Property Calculator results can't be imported and how to define User Defined sections instead.

## Is there a way to import results from the Section Property Calculator into a Beam or Column module?

There is currently no way to *import* properties from the General Section Property Calculator into the other calculation modules. This is due to the fact that the General Section Property Calculator has not yet been developed to the point where it can calculate some of the obscure section properties that are required for an AISC design. This is on our development list, and we look forward to the day that we can calculate those properties.

However, when you are working in the Beam or Column modules, you can click the button indicated below to open the respective section database:

![](https://1076748670-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtBL2fEQRwrlKSM2irFL0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-99628c43cc1e639d8d0a5d30b5c38d25d2d3ee15%2FDatabase%20button%20in%20SB.jpg?alt=media)

When the database opens, you can click the User Defined button, then select the Type of section you are looking to define, and then click the Insert button as shown below:

![](https://1076748670-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtBL2fEQRwrlKSM2irFL0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-170db0f7831ef016d2e2de78bcb6527da78edd70%2FSteel%20Section%20Database.jpg?alt=media)

This will open an input form with fields that you can populate with the respective values for all of the section properties that are appropriate for the indicated section type as shown below:

![](https://1076748670-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtBL2fEQRwrlKSM2irFL0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1fb1faa3e0faf2a4cc1bc703890e820742a85d1c%2FEdit%20User%20Defined%20Section%20Properties.jpg?alt=media)

Once you have entered a meaningful Section Name and the appropriate properties, just click the Save button. You can create as many of these User Defined sections as you want. They are stored in your SEL installation, and they can be accessed by clicking the Section Database button indicated with the green arrow in the first screen capture above, and then clicking the User Defined button, then clicking the appropriate Type button, and then choosing the desired section from the list.


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