FAQ and Installation Support

Unblock the ZIP before extracting

Windows often blocks files downloaded from the internet. Unblock the ZIP file first, then extract and install from the extracted folder.

Download the latest package

Download the product package, keep it in a local folder, and scan it with your company antivirus workflow when required.

Use the official download link from the GoCalc page.
Keep the package as a ZIP file until the unblock step is complete.
Use a file archiver such as 7-Zip if Windows cannot extract the package cleanly.

Windows file properties dialog showing the Unblock checkbox — Right-click the downloaded ZIP, open Properties, check Unblock, then click OK.

Set API key and license before testing commands

The AI tools need both a valid license and at least one configured AI provider before normal prompts can run.

Open the Options dialog in the GoCalc.AI toolbar.
Enter an API key for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Ollama, then click Save.
Open License and enter your GoCalc license key.
For voice input, configure an OpenAI API key because transcription uses Whisper.
When working in Revit, use clear units such as 5 metres or 5m in your prompt.

GoCalc AI Revit Options dialog for API keys and model selection — Use Options to save API keys, select the AI model, and adjust provider settings.

Start the Revit server before opening chat

GoCalc.AI for Revit uses a small server inside Revit so the desktop chat window can send commands to the open model.

Open Revit 2022 or newer and load a project first.
In the Revit ribbon, click GoCalc AI, then click Server.
Confirm the server is listening on http://localhost:8765.
Open GoCalc_AI_REVIT.exe after the Revit server is running.
If the chat window says Revit offline, click Server again in Revit and retry.

GoCalc AI Revit server dialog listening on localhost port 8765 — The Revit Server dialog should show that it is listening before AI commands are sent.

Register ETABS if the connection fails

If GoCalc.AI cannot connect to ETABS, the ETABS API registration may need to be refreshed from the ETABS installation folder.

Close ETABS and GoCalc before registering.
Open the installed ETABS version folder:C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS [Version]
Right-click RegisterETABS.exe and choose Run as administrator.
Open ETABS again, then retry the GoCalc connection.

ETABS installation folder highlighting RegisterETABS.exe — Run RegisterETABS.exe as administrator from the installed ETABS version folder.

Before You Install

Check these items first when preparing GoCalc tools on a Windows engineering workstation.

Compatibility

Which ETABS versions are supported?

GoCalc.AI for ETABS is intended for recent ETABS desktop installations. For the best result, use ETABS v20 or newer and keep ETABS installed locally on the same Windows machine.

Revit

Which Revit versions are supported?

GoCalc.AI for Revit requires Autodesk Revit 2022 or newer. Open a Revit project before starting the GoCalc AI Server from the Revit ribbon.

Revit Offline

Why does the chat window say Revit offline?

The Revit server is not reachable. In Revit, click GoCalc AI then Server, confirm it is listening on localhost:8765, and then retry the command from the chat window.

Revit Commands

Why did a Revit command use the wrong size?

Use explicit units in prompts, such as 5 metres, 300 mm, or 5m. GoCalc.AI converts values into Revit's internal units, but unclear numbers can still be ambiguous.

Selection

Why did a selected-element Revit action fail?

Some Revit actions need you to select elements in Revit first. Select the columns, beams, or other target objects, then ask GoCalc.AI to work on the selected elements.

Excel

Does GoCalc work with Excel Online?

No. GoCalc add-ins require the desktop version of Microsoft Excel on Windows because they rely on local add-in features and desktop automation APIs.

Excel Add-in

Why does the GoCalc ribbon not appear?

Close and reopen desktop Excel after installation. If the ribbon still does not appear, load GoCalc.xlam from Excel Add-ins and check that the install folder is trusted by Excel.

Requirements

What does the Excel add-in require?

Use 64-bit desktop Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer. The add-in also uses Microsoft WebView2, and Python 3.8+ is only needed when you use the Python IDE workflow.

Windows

Which Windows and Excel versions should I use?

Use a supported Windows desktop environment with Microsoft Excel 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, or 2013. Company-managed computers may require IT approval before installation.

API Keys

Do GoCalc.AI tools require an API key?

Yes. Configure at least one provider in Options: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Ollama. Image and voice features may require a model or provider that supports those inputs.

License

Can I move my license to another computer?

Close GoCalc on the current computer before opening it on another one. After a license is released, allow up to 8 hours before activating it on a different computer.

Admin Rights

Do I need administrator rights?

Many Excel add-in workflows do not require administrator rights. If installation, registration, or API connection fails, ask your IT team or a power user to run the installer or registration tool.

Mac

Does GoCalc run on Mac?

The current desktop automation workflow is for Windows. Mac editions of Excel and engineering applications do not expose the same local automation environment.

Backup

Can I undo every automated action?

Some operations performed by add-ins and external application APIs cannot be reversed with the normal Undo command. Save a backup before running automation on critical Excel files or models.