BeamBuddy Documentation
Everything you need to know about structural beam analysis in Excel. From installation to advanced features.
Getting Started
Open the Excel Add-ins Store
In Excel, go to Insert → Get Add-ins to open the Office Add-ins store
Search for BeamBuddy
Type "BeamBuddy" in the store search bar and click Add
Sign In
Use email/password or API key to authenticate
Start Analyzing
Create projects and add beams, loads, supports!
💡 Pro Tip: Enable Smart Assist features for automatic support placement and helpful defaults that speed up your workflow.
Alternative: Manual sideload installation
If the store is unavailable in your organisation, you can sideload the add-in manually:
- Download the manifest file from our website
- In Excel go to Insert → Add-ins → My Add-ins → Upload My Add-in
- Browse to the downloaded manifest and click Upload
Features Guide
Load Types
Point Loads
Concentrated forces at specific positions. Perfect for column loads or equipment.
Distributed Loads (UDL)
Uniform loads over a length - floor loads, snow, etc.
Trapezoidal Loads
Varying distributed loads with different start/end magnitudes.
Moment Loads
Applied moments for eccentric connections or imposed rotations.
Support Types
Pinned
Prevents translation, allows rotation
Roller
Prevents vertical movement only
Fixed
Prevents all movement & rotation
Free End
No constraints - cantilever ends
Analysis Results
Smart Assist Features
Smart Assist automates common beam setup tasks. Access from the ⚙️ settings icon.
Auto-Add Default Supports
Places pinned at 0m and roller at beam length for simply-supported beams
Auto-Adjust End Support
Automatically moves end support when beam length changes
First Load at Center
Positions first point load at midspan automatically
Include Self-Weight
Automatically adds beam self-weight as UDL
Authentication
Microsoft SSO
Teams PlanOne-click sign-in with Microsoft 365. Available for Teams plan subscribers managing bulk accounts.
- No password required
- Seamless authentication
- Teams plan only
Email & Password
Use your BeamBuddy credentials. Works for all installation types.
- 30-day persistent session
- Works everywhere
- Recommended for most users
API Key
Generate from dashboard. Perfect for automation or scripting.
- Generate from dashboard
- User-specific
- Regenerate anytime
🔑 How to Generate an API Key
- 1Log in to your dashboard
- 2Click "Generate API Key" in the API section
- 3Copy the key (starts with bb_)
- 4In Excel, select "API Key" authentication
- 5Paste your key - authenticated for 30 days!
Excel Cell Linking
Link BeamBuddy inputs and outputs to Excel cells for dynamic, spreadsheet-driven analysis.
Linking Inputs
Click 🔗 next to any input field to link it to a cell.
- • Beam length from parametric formulas
- • Load magnitudes from load combinations
- • Support positions from optimization
Linking Outputs
Click 📋 next to results to write them to cells.
- • Max moment → capacity checks
- • Max deflection → serviceability
- • Reactions → foundation design
💡 Pro Tip: Build entire design spreadsheets where BeamBuddy results feed into downstream calculations. Change a load case and watch everything update automatically.
Beam Sections
Comprehensive library of British Universal Beam (UB) sections with full properties.
Light Sections
127mm - 203mm depth
Economical for moderate loads
Medium Sections
254mm - 356mm depth
General-purpose structural
Heavy Sections
406mm - 914mm depth
High-capacity for heavy loads
Section Properties Included
Diagrams & Visualization
Beam Configuration
Shows beam, supports, and all loads with labels
Bending Moment (BMD)
Sagging/hogging moments with peak values
Shear Force (SFD)
Shear variation with zero-crossing points
Deflection
Exaggerated deflected shape with max value
Diagram Features
Interactive
Click elements to view detailed values
Color Schemes
Multiple themes including colorblind-friendly
Resizable
Custom dimensions for report layouts
Export
PNG, clipboard, or direct to Excel
Troubleshooting
❌ "Analysis failed"
Causes:
- • Insufficient supports (need at least 2)
- • Positions outside beam length
- • Zero or negative beam length
Solution: Check all positions are between 0 and beam length. Ensure appropriate supports.
❌ "Unauthorized when generating API key"
Causes:
- • Session expired or not logged in
Solution: Log out and log back in to refresh your session.
⚠️ "Add-in won't load in Excel"
Causes:
- • Office add-ins disabled by your organisation
- • Excel version too old (requires Excel 2016+)
- • Network restrictions blocking the store
Solution: Ensure your Excel version supports add-ins (2016 or later). If your organisation restricts the store, ask your IT admin to approve BeamBuddy or use the sideload option in Getting Started.