> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://enercalc.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://enercalc.com/docs/faq/readme.md). # ENERCALC FAQ Answers to common questions about the new ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL, including their differences, using them together, and subscription access. ## The basics #### What is ENERCALC SEL (Build 20)? ENERCALC SEL is the ENERCALC you already know. SEL stands for Structural Engineering Library, the product's original name. Many of you simply call it ENERCALC, but we've always called it ENERCALC SEL internally. We're using that name now to tell it apart from the new ENERCALC, which will eventually replace it. #### What is ENERCALC (Build 26)? ENERCALC is the next generation of ENERCALC and the successor to ENERCALC SEL. It launched on Oct 28, 2026 with 6 of our most used modules, and we will keep adding modules until it can handle the work you do in ENERCALC SEL today. At that point, ENERCALC will be the one version you use. New features and big improvements will happen here. {% hint style="info" %} **NOTE:** Try ENERCALC (Build 26) in your browser at [enercalc.app](https://enercalc.app/), or [install the desktop app](https://enercalc.com/docs/installation-activation/installation/install) for Windows or Mac. {% endhint %} #### Why are there two versions? ENERCALC SEL has over 50 modules, and rebuilding a library that size takes time. We didn't want you to wait for all of it before you could use the new version. So we're releasing ENERCALC in stages, starting with the modules you use most and adding more as they're ready. In the meantime, ENERCALC SEL stays available for anything that isn't in ENERCALC yet, so you can keep working without interruption. See [Using both versions](#using-both-versions) below for how they work together. #### Is ENERCALC SEL a different product from the one I have been using? No. It is the same software with a clearer name. Nothing about how it works is changing because of the rename. #### Will my existing ENERCALC SEL files and projects still work? Yes. Your existing calcs stay in ENERCALC SEL and open there just like they do today. ## What's different #### What is the difference between ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL? ENERCALC SEL has all 50+ modules. ENERCALC is the new platform with fewer modules today, but it has many new features that you will not find in ENERCALC SEL, including those listed below (see [What new features does ENERCALC have that ENERCALC SEL does not?](#what-new-features-does-enercalc-have-that-enercalc-sel-does-not)). It will keep growing until it can handle the work you do in ENERCALC SEL today. | | ENERCALC SEL | ENERCALC | | --------------------------------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------- | | Modules | 50+ | 6 at launch, more added over time | | New features | Not planned | Yes, this is where new features go | | Maintenance and bug fixes | Yes | Yes | | Included in your subscription | Yes | Yes | | Open calcs from the other version | No | Yes, by importing from ENERCALC SEL | #### Which modules are in ENERCALC at launch? * General Beam Analysis * Wood Beam * Steel Beam * Wood Column * Steel Column * General Footing #### What new features does ENERCALC have that ENERCALC SEL does not? General interface * Project Manager stays in view in a slide-out panel while a calc is open * Open multiple calcs at once and switch between them like browser tabs * Manual resizing controls, so you can drag the divider to fit your work * Design status in the Project Manager, so you can see every calc's status at a glance * New dark mode, which you can toggle or set to match your system * Run it on Windows, Mac, or in your browser Inputs * Search section sizes by keyword * Edit a steel section's dimensions in place, and ENERCALC recalculates its section properties from the new values * Custom sections are flagged, so you always know when properties were modified * New deflection limit options, including absolute and span-specific limits Module-specific * Column diagrams can display vertically, matching real-world orientation * Soil pressure diagrams for every footing in General Footing, both biaxial and non-biaxial * Separate top and bottom flange bracing in Steel Beam Graphics and results * Detailed hand-calc style outputs with step-by-step calcs and code references * New Load Linking Visualizer that shows how loads move through the project * Load arrows that show true direction (positive down, negative up) on every sketch * Mix and match which load combos are displayed, on all diagrams * Interactive result diagrams: hover for values, click to copy #### Do both versions support the same code editions? Yes, both versions support the same code editions. As new editions come out, we'll update both for as long as ENERCALC SEL is available. Major new features will go into ENERCALC. ## Access and pricing #### Do I have to pay extra for ENERCALC? No. ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL are both currently included in your ENERCALC subscription at no additional cost. #### How do I access ENERCALC (Build 26)? You can use ENERCALC in your browser at [enercalc.app](https://enercalc.app/). Desktop apps are also available for Windows and Mac. Download the latest Build 26 installer from the [ENERCALC users page](https://enercalc.com/users/), and see [Install ENERCALC](https://enercalc.com/docs/installation-activation/installation/install) for step-by-step instructions. #### How do I access ENERCALC SEL (Build 20)? If you already have ENERCALC SEL installed, nothing changes. Open it the same way you do today. If you need to install it on a new computer, download the latest Build 20 installer (Windows only) from the [ENERCALC users page](https://enercalc.com/users/). #### How do seats work with two versions? ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL share the same seats in your subscription. Each one you have open uses a seat. So if you have both open at the same time, you are using 2 seats. If your firm is short on seats, close one before opening the other. #### What are the system requirements for ENERCALC? Windows * Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit (x64) macOS * macOS 13 Ventura or later * Apple Silicon (M1 or later). Intel Macs are not supported. ## Using both versions #### Which version should I use? We recommend using ENERCALC for any module it includes, so you can take advantage of new features like a modern interface, separate top and bottom flange bracing in the Steel Beam module and hand-calc style outputs in the Wood and Steel modules. For anything not in ENERCALC yet, keep using ENERCALC SEL. #### Can I use both on the same project? Yes, you can split a project's calcs between them. For example, you could size your beams and columns in ENERCALC and your retaining walls in ENERCALC SEL. The two versions don't share files, so you'll have separate calc files in each. You can bring ENERCALC SEL calcs into ENERCALC by importing them, but not the other way around. #### Can I bring my ENERCALC SEL calcs into ENERCALC? Yes. You can import any ENERCALC SEL calc into ENERCALC, as long as its module is available in ENERCALC. Importing makes a copy, so your original ENERCALC SEL file stays exactly as it was. #### Can I move a calc from ENERCALC back to ENERCALC SEL? No. Calcs made or edited in ENERCALC cannot be converted back to ENERCALC SEL. If you think you may need a calc in ENERCALC SEL later, keep your original ENERCALC SEL file. ## What's next #### When will more modules be added to ENERCALC? We are adding modules on an ongoing basis until ENERCALC can handle the work you do in ENERCALC SEL today. Each new module is one less reason to switch between versions. The goal is for you to do all of your work in ENERCALC. #### What is the plan for ENERCALC SEL? Once ENERCALC can handle the work you do in ENERCALC SEL, we plan to retire ENERCALC SEL. Until then, it stays available and supported with maintenance and bug fixes, so you can keep working while modules move over. We do not have a retirement date yet, and we will give plenty of notice before it happens. #### Why would you retire ENERCALC SEL? Maintaining two different software products through governing code changes, design guideline changes (and so on) doubles the work we do and that isn't a good strategy for the long term. More importantly, the faster we can get all of our calculation modules on the new platform, the happier our users will be. #### Will ENERCALC SEL still get updates? Yes, for governing code updates, reference design standard updates, material database updates, and general maintenance / bug fixes. Future code editions will be handled across the two versions while there still are two versions (i.e. ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL). No matter what, we will make sure you can keep doing your work and we'll keep you informed so you know what to expect from the tools you depend on. Major new features will go into ENERCALC, rather than ENERCALC SEL. #### What happens to my ENERCALC SEL calcs when ENERCALC SEL is retired? Your ENERCALC SEL calculation files will import into ENERCALC as they do now. ## Getting help #### Where can I learn how to use ENERCALC? Join our [Office Hours](https://enercalc.com/officehours/) presentation on Nov 18, 2026 for a walkthrough of ENERCALC. Our [User Manual](https://enercalc.com/docs/user-manual) covers each module in detail. Video tutorials are on the way too. #### Who do I contact if I have questions or find a bug? Reach out to the same way you do today. The same team supports both ENERCALC and ENERCALC SEL. See [Getting Assistance](https://enercalc.com/docs/installation-activation/support-and-maintenance/getting-assistance) for all the ways to reach us. #### How do I give feedback on ENERCALC? Select the **Support** icon at the top right of the ENERCALC window, then select **Share Feedback**. You can also email . We read all of it, and it helps shape what we build next. See [Getting Assistance](https://enercalc.com/docs/installation-activation/support-and-maintenance/getting-assistance#share-feedback). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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