Watch the video above to see how rich content is embedded directly into project documents.
The guide below covers each method so you can start embedding videos, forms, and live data straight away.
Embedding Videos, Forms, and Live Data into Your BIM Documents
There’s a limit to what words on a page can communicate. A written description of site progress can’t show you what a 360-degree walkthrough can. A table of numbers doesn’t hit the same way as a live chart. And a paragraph explaining a process flow will never be as clear as an interactive diagram. When your project documents are restricted to static text, important information gets lost in translation.
Plannerly removes that limitation by letting you embed rich multimedia directly into your document sections. Videos, forms, diagrams, 3D scans, walkthroughs, and even live Google Sheets data can all sit alongside your written content – right where your team needs it. Instead of scattering information across emails, shared drives, and separate tools, everything lives inside the document itself.
The quick insert button appears on any blank line, giving you instant access to common actions like inserting a video via a link. For more options, the rich content toolbar opens up the full range of embed methods. You can insert a video using a URL (paste a YouTube link, for example), embed content via an iframe code from third-party tools, or upload a video file directly. Once embedded, videos can be resized to fit the layout of your section.
But it’s not just about video. You can embed external resources like maps, forms, and interactive content using iframes. Teams use this to bring in survey forms for collecting project data, interactive diagrams that stakeholders can zoom and pan through, 3D scans and building walkthroughs for tracking site progress, and live spreadsheet data pulled directly from Google Sheets. Each of these embeds lives inside a document section, so it’s structured, versioned, and part of your project record.
For teams managing ISO 19650 processes, this is about making project documentation actually useful. A BIM execution plan (BEP) with an embedded walkthrough video is far more effective than one that just references it. An information requirements document with live data from a connected spreadsheet stays current without anyone having to manually update figures. The result is documents that communicate more clearly and stay relevant longer.
How to embed rich content in Plannerly documents
- Use the quick insert button – click on any blank line inside a section and the plus button appears on the left. Use it to quickly insert a video via a link.
- Open the rich content toolbar – for more embed options, click the “more rich” button in the editing toolbar to access the full range of insert methods.
- Insert a video via URL – click “insert video”, choose the URL option, and paste a link from YouTube or another video platform. The video embeds directly into the section.
- Embed using an iframe – choose the iframe option and paste an embed code from any third-party tool – forms, diagrams, 3D viewers, maps, or other external resources.
- Upload a video directly – if you have a video file on your device, use the upload option to add it straight into the document section without needing an external link.
- Resize embedded content – drag the edges of an embedded video or iframe to resize it so it fits well within your document layout.
- Connect live data – embed a published Google Sheet to display live data that updates automatically as the source spreadsheet changes. No manual copying required.
What you’ll learn
- Video embedding methods – how to insert videos via URL, iframe, or direct upload into any document section
- Embedding forms and diagrams – how to bring in interactive content like survey forms, flowcharts and diagrams, and 3D walkthroughs
- Live data from Google Sheets – how to connect a spreadsheet so your document always shows current data
- Quick insert vs rich content toolbar – when to use the shortcut button and when to open the full embed options
- Resizing embedded content – how to adjust the size of videos and iframes to suit your document layout
Common questions
What types of content can I embed in a Plannerly document?
Virtually anything that has a URL or iframe embed code. This includes YouTube and Vimeo videos, Google Forms, Google Sheets, interactive diagrams, 3D scans and building walkthroughs, maps, and content from other web-based tools. You can also upload video files directly from your device.
Does embedded content update automatically?
Yes, if the source content is live. For example, an embedded Google Sheet will reflect changes made in the spreadsheet in real time. Embedded forms will always show the latest version. This is one of the key advantages over static PDFs or Word documents where data goes stale the moment it’s saved.
Can I embed content in documents used for ISO 19650 compliance?
Absolutely. Embedding rich content into documents like BIM execution plans and information requirements makes them more useful and easier to understand. A BEP with an embedded process diagram or walkthrough video communicates far more effectively than text alone, and everything remains part of the structured, versioned document.
Is there a limit to how many embeds I can add to a document?
There’s no hard limit on the number of embeds per document. However, keep in mind that heavy embedded content (like multiple large videos) may affect page load times. It’s best to follow best practices for optimal performance and embed what genuinely adds value to the document rather than overloading it.
Why is embedding better than just linking to external content?
Links take people away from the document. Embeds keep everything in context – your team can watch a video, review a diagram, or check live data without leaving the page. This reduces the risk of information being missed, keeps your project documentation self-contained, and makes it easier for everyone to stay on the same page.
Explore further
- Simple and fast editing of docs sections – learn the editing basics for the sections where your embedded content lives
- How to create professional project documents like EIR, PIR, BEP – build the structured documents where embedded content adds the most value
- How to centralise BEP information and avoid duplicating efforts – move away from scattered Excel files and bring everything into one place
- BIM Boot Camp – the intensive programme covering end-to-end BIM and ISO 19650 workflows