Integrations

Integrate external data and tools into your CalcTree pages using Python scripts, file uploads, and third-party plugins.

CalcTree supports integrations that allow calculation pages to interface with external data sources and software tools. These integrations are used to import data, run complex logic (e.g. Python scripts), or connect to third-party applications via plugins.

All integrations are managed through the “Integrations” panel in the CalcTree platform.

Integration Types

1. Python Code integration

You can add one or more Python scripts to any CalcTree page. The script runs in the cloud environment and can interact with parameters on the CalcTree page, as well as other integrations. Use this to perform calculations, call APIs, transform data, or execute logic that’s not supported by native parameters.

Here's some notes on how to use CalcTree Python

• When referencing page parameters, make sure the name used in Python match the name of your parameter.

• Output values can be used in the page, add the variable or figure back to the page from under the Python source in the integrations panel.

• Utilise a braod range of libraries that come pre-installed in CalcTree python, simply import them to your script to use them.

• Scripts should be optimized for small to medium computations (avoid heavy number crunching).

2. Spreadsheet integration (coming soon)

This integration will allow users to upload an existing spreadsheet file (e.g. .xlsx) directly to a page, and utilise the logic within the spreadsheet in CalcTree pages. The integration will allow users to:

• Map and interact with ranges and figures from their spreadsheet in CalcTree pages and calculations.

• View the spreadsheet integrations connected to a page in the CalcTree source viewer.

• Give old trusted spreadsheets new life by integrating them with other CalcTree features, like page editor, version history and automatic backup

This integration is in development, and we can't wait to share it with you when it's ready.

If you're interested in learning more about this feature, or would like to be an early test user, get in touch at [e-mail]

3. File Upload

You can upload CSV or plain text files and reference them inside your page logic. Uploaded files are treated as static data and can be parsed using Python scripts. This is useful for:

• Table-based property lookups (e.g., steel section data).

• Mapping rows to input values in batch calculations.

• Storing configuration data used by logic.

Currently, file contents are accessible using ct.page_files["filename.csv"] in Python.

4. Plugins

CalcTree offers dedicated plugins for using your CalcTree calculations in other tools, or exporting data from third-party engineering tools to CalcTree pages. This users to setup and verify calculations once in CalcTree, and let them be reused by others without them leaving their existing tools like Excel and Grasshopper .

Plugins also allow users to push data (e.g. from structural design software), populate parameters, and keep pages in sync with external changes.

Current supported plugins include:

• CSI Plugins: Interface with ETABS, SAP2000, and CSiBridge via the CSiAPI. Used to push data from CSI programs into CalcTree pages and templates.
• Grasshopper Plugin: Connects to Grasshopper to send parameter values and retrieve computed results.
• Excel Add-in: Links CalcTree pages to spreadsheet cells for sending/receiving data (currently in private beta).

See the relevant documentation under each plugin’s page for installation and usage instructions.