The Optional check box for items allows you make any item within a Project optional. Optional Items are only displayed on Proposal reports and their pricing is not calculated into any totals on the report. Options allow you to add additional "add-on" items to a Project.
The Optional setting is not stored in the Catalog, it is Project specific. Once added to a Project, Products, Labor Items, and Packages will have the "Optional" option on the General tab when editing the item:
When you mark a Product or Labor Item as Optional, any Accessories to the items will also be marked as Optional:
The same is true for items within a Package:
Optional items display in the Project grid with a green background but you can change this color in your Application Settings.
If at any time you want to remove Optional Items from a Project you can remove just selected or all Optional Items via the Tools tab:
The only reports that "recognize" Optional Items are the Proposal reports in SI. Optional Items display at the end of each grouping on the report with the title "Additional Options". The Price displays but is not calculated anywhere on this report.
You can change the wording and color for Optional Item text via your Report Settings:
Another Report Setting will change the "Project Summary" section of Proposal reports to display the Optional totals:
You can also choose not to include Optional Items on a Proposal via a Parameter within the Report Definition: