Why set up favourites?
Ensign's database is comprehensive, which means there are a lot of specifications, manufacturers, and items to scroll through. Setting up favourites filters the lists down to just the products you actually use, saving you time on every single takeoff line.
Favourites only need to be set up once. Any favourites configured by one user are shared across all licences and users on the same database, so the whole team benefits immediately.
Favourite specifications (mechanical)
On the mechanical platform, you work with specifications (groupings of items like pipework ranges). If you find yourself scrolling up and down a long list to switch between two or three specs, favourites will make a noticeable difference.
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On the takeoff screen, click the three-dot button next to the specification list.
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The full list of available specifications is displayed. Click the Favourite button next to each specification you commonly use. A star icon appears next to your selections.
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Click Confirm. Your favourited specifications now appear in a short list at the top of the specification dropdown, separate from the main list.
To remove a favourite, open the same menu, highlight the specification, and click Favourite again to deselect it.
Favourite manufacturers and categories (mechanical)
The same approach works for valves, sanitary ware, pumps, radiators, and other component types. You can favourite by manufacturer, by category, or both.
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Navigate to the relevant component page (e.g. Valves).
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Click the Favourite button at the bottom of the screen.
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Select the tab you want to filter — Manufacturers or Categories.
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Tick the manufacturers or categories you use most and click Exit.
Once set, the system only displays your favourited options. If you ever need to see the full list, click the Show All button to temporarily display everything.
You can combine manufacturer and category filters. For example, you could set your favourite valve manufacturers to Boss, Crane BSS, and Oventrop, and then further filter to only show check valves and gas valves. The more precisely you refine, the quicker you can find what you need.
Favourite items (electrical)
On the electrical platform, the database is organised into eight categories. Rather than favouriting specifications, you favourite individual items within those categories.
Marking an item as a favourite
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Navigate through the database categories to find the item you want to favourite (e.g. Cable Management > LeGrand Swifts > Steel > MRF Tray).
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Tick the favourite checkbox next to one or more items.
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Click Confirm.
Viewing only favourites
On any database category screen, tick the Show favourites only option to filter the view down to just your favourited items.
Using favourites as a quick-find method
You do not have to favourite every single item in a range. A useful trick is to favourite just one item from a range you commonly use but find hard to locate. Next time you need something from that range, filter by favourites, click on the item, and you are taken straight to the correct manufacturer, category, and product family — where all the related items are visible.
If you cannot find an item by browsing, use the product code search at the top of the screen. Once you locate the item, mark it as a favourite so you never have to search for it again.
Spend five minutes, save hours
Setting up favourites is a one-off task that takes a few minutes but pays off on every job. Whether you are narrowing down valve suppliers on the mechanical platform or bookmarking your go-to socket range on the electrical side, the time saved across a year of estimating adds up quickly.