Schemas for Excel and CSV Import

The Import Schema controls how Fabritec reads item data from an Excel or CSV file when items are added to a phase revision.

In the Fabritec interface, the import schema is displayed as a Scheme.

A scheme connects the column headers in your spreadsheet to the corresponding Fabritec item fields, such as:

Assembly mark

Part mark

Quantity

Profile

Material

Weight

Drawing number

Length

Width

Thickness

Area

Volume

Hole information

Once a scheme has been configured, it can be selected again during future imports that use the same spreadsheet structure.

This allows engineering and production teams to import large Bills of Materials without manually reorganizing every file before uploading it.

What an Import Scheme Does

Excel and CSV files do not always use the same column names.

For example, one organization may use:

Assembly Mark

Part Mark

QTY

Weight(kg)

grade

Another organization may use:

Main Mark

Piece Mark

Quantity

Unit Weight

Material

The Fabritec scheme tells the system which spreadsheet column represents each Fabritec field.

The scheme does not change the original spreadsheet. It only defines how Fabritec should interpret its columns during the import.

A correctly configured scheme helps Fabritec:

Recognize assemblies and their parts

Import item quantities correctly

Calculate final quantities and weights

Preserve item and part relationships

Read measurement values using the correct units

Link imported data to drawings

Skip columns that are not required

Reuse the same mapping for future revisions and projects

Where to Find Import Schemes

Import schemes are available during the Add Items step of a phase revision.

Navigate to:

Projects → Select Project → Phases Explorer → Select Phase → Add or Edit Revision → Add Items

From the Add Items page:

Click Import From Excel.

The Import From Excel window opens.

Select an existing scheme or click Add New Scheme.

The import window includes:

Add New Scheme

Select Scheme

View

Upload Excel / CSV File

Next

Before Configuring a Scheme

Review the spreadsheet before creating the scheme.

The first row should contain clear column headers that describe the data below them.

For example:

Assembly Mark	Part Mark	QTY	Profile	grade	Weight(kg)	Length (mm)
BR-1	P-001	2	SHS100*3	St-52	75.50	6000
BR-1	P-002	4	PL10	St-52	12.20	450

For the most reliable import:

Use one consistent header row.

Avoid merged cells in the data table.

Keep quantity and measurement columns numeric.

Do not add text such as kg, mm, or m inside numeric cells unless the file structure has been tested.

Use the same spelling for each header throughout the file.

Confirm that assembly and part marks are entered in the correct columns.

Remove unnecessary subtotal and total rows where possible.

Confirm that the unit represented by each measurement column is known.

Save the file before uploading it.

Spreadsheet Headers Must Match the Scheme

The values entered in the scheme should match the spreadsheet column headers.

For example, when the spreadsheet header is:

Assembly Mark

Enter:

Assembly Mark

in the Item Mark (Assembly) mapping field.

Differences in spelling, spacing, punctuation, or unit notation may prevent Fabritec from identifying the intended column.

For example, the following headers may be interpreted differently:

Weight

Weight (kg)

Weight(kg)

Unit Weight

Total Weight

Create the scheme according to the exact structure of the file being imported.

Creating a New Scheme

From the Import From Excel window:

Click Add New Scheme.

Enter a clear Scheme Name.

Enter the spreadsheet column header corresponding to each Fabritec field.

Select the required Part Quantity Mode.

Define the measurement units used in the file.

Click Add.

The new scheme becomes available in the Select Scheme list.

Scheme Name

The Scheme Name identifies the saved mapping.

Use a name that helps users understand which spreadsheet format the scheme supports.

Examples:

Tekla Assembly and Part List

Steel BOM Import – kg and mm

Assembly List – Per Assembly Parts

ERP Export Format

Production BOM – Total Part Quantities

Avoid names such as:

Scheme 1

New Scheme

Test

Final

A descriptive name reduces the risk of selecting the wrong scheme during future imports.

Scheme Mapping Fields

The Add New Scheme window contains fields used to map spreadsheet headers to Fabritec item data.

Enter the corresponding spreadsheet header in each field.

Item Mark (Assembly)

Maps the column containing the main assembly or final item mark.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Assembly Mark

Main Mark

Item Mark

Assembly

Mark

Example values:

BR-1

C12

TR-05

COL-101

The assembly mark identifies the parent item represented in Final Items.

This is one of the most important mappings because Fabritec uses the mark to organize and identify imported items.

Sub Item Mark (Part)

Maps the column containing the individual part mark.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Part Mark

Part

Sub Item Mark

Piece Mark

Position

Example values:

P-001

PL-12

A101

STF-03

Use this mapping when the spreadsheet includes parts belonging to an assembly.

Fabritec uses the assembly mark and part mark together to preserve the relationship between final items and sub items.

Item / Part Name

Maps the descriptive name of the assembly or part.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Name

Item Name

Part Name

Description

Example values:

Main Beam

Base Plate

Column

Stiffener Plate

This field helps users understand the purpose or description of each imported record.

Qty

Maps the quantity column.

Example spreadsheet headers:

QTY

Qty

Quantity

No.

Count

Quantity values should normally be numeric.

Examples:

1

2

12

24

The meaning of a part quantity depends on the selected Part Quantity Mode.

Part Quantity Mode

The Part Quantity Mode determines how Fabritec interprets the quantities of sub items or parts.

The available options are:

PerAssembly

Total

Based on your Sheet selecting the correct mode is essential for calculating final part quantities accurately.

PerAssembly

Select PerAssembly when the quantity of each part in the spreadsheet represents the number required for one assembly.

Fabritec calculates the total part quantity based on:

Assembly quantity × Part quantity per assembly

Example:

Assembly mark: BR-1

Assembly quantity: 4

Part mark: PL-01

Part quantity: 3

Part Quantity Mode: PerAssembly

The resulting total quantity of PL-01 is:

4 × 3 = 12 parts

Use PerAssembly when the source file describes the Bill of Materials for one assembly.

Total

Select Total when the part quantity in the spreadsheet already represents the complete quantity required across all assemblies.

Example:

Assembly mark: BR-1

Assembly quantity: 4

Part mark: PL-01

Part quantity in the file: 12

Part Quantity Mode: Total

Fabritec treats the imported part quantity as 12.

It does not multiply it again by the assembly quantity.

Selecting the Correct Part Quantity Mode

Choosing the wrong mode can significantly change the imported quantities.

Before importing, confirm whether the part quantity column represents:

The quantity required for each individual assembly, or

The total quantity required for the complete assembly batch

When this is unclear, verify the spreadsheet with the engineering or detailing team before continuing.

Weight

Maps the column containing the item or part weight.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Weight

Weight(kg)

Unit Weight

Item Weight

Part Weight

Example values:

12.50

75.40

1,250.00

The imported value should correspond to the unit entered in Weight Unit.

Weight Unit

Defines the weight unit used by the mapped weight column.

Example:

Weight column: Weight(kg)

Weight unit: kg

Use the unit represented by the source file.

Do not assume that values will be converted automatically between different measurement units. Confirm that the values in the spreadsheet and the configured unit represent the same measurement.

Profile

Maps the section, profile, or member designation.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Profile

Section

Section Size

Member Profile

Example values:

SHS100*3

IPE300

HEB200

PL10

C200

This information is used to describe the physical profile associated with the item or part.

Shape

Maps the column describing the general item or part shape.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Shape

Type

Section Type

Example values may depend on the source engineering system and the organization’s naming standards.

Map this field when the spreadsheet provides shape information that should be retained in Fabritec.

Material

Maps the material grade or material description.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Material

grade

Material Grade

Steel Grade

Example values:

St-52

S275

S355

A36

Aluminum 6061

Use the header that contains the actual material designation used for production.

Drawing Number

Maps the drawing reference associated with the item or part.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Drawing Number

Drawing No.

DWG No

Drawing

Sheet Number

Example values:

DRG-001

BR-1-REV00

A-102

S-205

Drawing numbers can support the drawing-matching process during the Add Drawings step of the revision workflow.

Use consistent drawing references between the spreadsheet and uploaded drawing files wherever possible.

Length

Maps the item or part length.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Length

Length (mm)

Cut Length

Member Length

Example values:

450

6000

12000

Length Unit

Defines the unit used by the length column.

Example:

Length column: Length (mm)

Length unit: mm

Confirm that all imported values use the same unit represented in the scheme.

Width

Maps the item or part width.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Width

Width (mm)

Plate Width

Example values:

150

300

1200

Width Unit

Defines the unit used by the width column.

Example:

Width column: Width (mm)

Width unit: mm

Thickness

Maps the item or part thickness.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Thickness

Thickness (mm)

Plate Thickness

Thk

Example values:

6

10

20

Thickness Unit

Defines the unit used by the thickness column.

Example:

Thickness column: Thickness (mm)

Thickness unit: mm

Area

Maps the area value associated with the item or part.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Area

Area (cm²)

Surface Area

Example values:

250

1,450.75

12,000

Area Unit

Defines the area unit used in the file.

Example:

Area column: Area (cm²)

Area unit: cm²

Ensure that the selected unit matches the actual area values in the spreadsheet.

Volume

Maps the volume value associated with the item or part.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Volume

Volume (cm³)

Item Volume

Volume Unit

Defines the volume unit used in the file.

Example:

Volume column: Volume (cm³)

Volume unit: cm³

Holes Diameters

Maps the column containing hole diameter information.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Holes Diameters

Hole Diameter

Diameter

Bolt Hole Diameter

Example values:

14

18

22

18, 22

The accepted structure should be consistent throughout the spreadsheet.

Holes Diameters Unit

Defines the unit used for hole diameters.

Example:

Hole diameter column: Holes Diameters (mm)

Hole diameter unit: mm

Number of Holes

Maps the number of holes associated with the item or part.

Example spreadsheet headers:

Number of Holes

Hole Count

No. of Holes

Holes

Example values:

2

4

8

12

Values should normally be numeric.

Example of a Complete Scheme

The following example reflects a spreadsheet containing assemblies and parts:

Fabritec Field	Spreadsheet Header
Scheme Name	`Steel BOM – Scheme 02`
Item Mark (Assembly)	`Assembly Mark`
Sub Item Mark (Part)	`Part`
Item / Part Name	`Name`
Qty	`QTY`
Part Quantity Mode	`PerAssembly`
Weight	`Weight(kg)`
Weight Unit	`kg`
Profile	`Profile`
Shape	`Shape`
Material	`grade`
Drawing Number	`Drawing Number`
Length	`Length (mm)`
Length Unit	`mm`
Width	`Width (mm)`
Width Unit	`mm`
Thickness	`Thickness (mm)`
Thickness Unit	`mm`
Area	`Area (cm²)`
Area Unit	`cm²`
Volume	`Volume (cm³)`
Volume Unit	`cm³`
Holes Diameters	`Holes Diameters (mm)`
Holes Diameters Unit	`mm`
Number of Holes	`Number of Holes`

This scheme can be reused whenever another spreadsheet follows the same header structure and measurement conventions.

Saving the Scheme

After completing the mappings:

Review the entered column headers.

Confirm the selected Part Quantity Mode.

Confirm all measurement units.

Click Add.

Click Cancel to close the window without creating the scheme.

After saving, the scheme appears in the Select Scheme dropdown.

Selecting an Existing Scheme

To reuse a saved scheme:

Open Import From Excel.

Open the Select Scheme dropdown.

Select the required scheme.

Review the selected scheme before uploading the file.

The dropdown may include multiple schemes created for different spreadsheet formats.

Always select the scheme that matches the current file, not simply the most recently created scheme.

Viewing Scheme Details

After selecting a scheme, click View.

Fabritec displays the saved mapping under the scheme selector.

The preview may show information such as:

Scheme Name

Item Mark

Sub Item Mark

Item Name

Quantity

Part Quantity Mode

Weight and weight unit

Profile

Shape

Material

Drawing Number

Length and length unit

Width and width unit

Thickness and thickness unit

Area and area unit

Volume and volume unit

Hole diameters and unit

Number of holes

Use this view to confirm that the scheme matches the file before processing it.

Review the Scheme Before Every Import

A saved scheme may still be incorrect for a new file if the engineering export format has changed.

Before uploading, compare the scheme mappings against the current spreadsheet headers.

Pay particular attention to:

Assembly mark

Part mark

Quantity

Part Quantity Mode

Weight

Material

Length

Units

Uploading the Excel or CSV File

After selecting the scheme:

Click Choose File under Upload Excel / CSV File.

Locate the required file on your device.

Select the file.

Click Open.

Confirm that the selected file appears in the upload field.

Click Next.

Fabritec processes the file according to the selected scheme.

Supported formats shown in the import workflow include:

Excel

CSV

Processing the File

When processing is completed, Fabritec displays a confirmation message such as:

File processed successfully!

The successful processing message confirms that Fabritec was able to read and process the uploaded file.

It does not necessarily mean that every row is valid.

Always review:

Import totals

Imported rows

Assemblies and parts

Quantities

Weights

Warnings

Skipped records

before completing the import.

Reviewing the Import Preview

After processing, the import preview displays the detected item data.

The preview may include:

Total Final Quantity

Total Items Weight (T)

Imported item rows

Assembly marks

Names

Profiles

Materials

Quantities

Width

Thickness

Length

Weight

Expandable item and part records

Warnings

Use the preview to confirm that the file was interpreted correctly.

Check that:

Assembly marks are displayed correctly.

Part records appear under the correct assemblies.

Quantities match the source file.

Profiles and materials are not shifted into the wrong columns.

Weight totals are reasonable.

Dimensions are using the intended units.

No important rows were skipped.

The preview grid may also include filter fields under the column headings to help locate a specific item.

Understanding Import Totals

Total Final Quantity

Displays the total final item quantity detected from the processed file.

Review this number against the expected assembly or final item quantity in the source report.

Total Items Weight (T)

Displays the calculated total item weight in tonnes.

Compare this value with the engineering or BOM report total.

A major difference may indicate:

An incorrect weight mapping

An incorrect weight unit

A quantity calculation issue

The wrong Part Quantity Mode

Skipped rows

Duplicate data

A mismatch between unit weight and total weight

Delete Existing Items

The import preview may include the option:

Delete Existing Items

Select this option only when the current revision items should be permanently removed before the new file is added.

The interface warns that:

Selecting this option permanently deletes the current items. This action cannot be undone.

Use this option when the uploaded file is intended to completely replace the existing revision item list.

Leave it unselected when you do not intend to remove the current items.

Permanent Deletion Warning

Do not select Delete Existing Items unless the replacement has been reviewed and confirmed.

Before using it:

Confirm that the correct project, phase, and revision are open.

Confirm that the uploaded file is complete.

Review the preview totals.

Confirm that no required records are missing.

Resolve important warnings.

Keep a copy of the original spreadsheet.

Import Warnings

Fabritec displays warnings when a row cannot be interpreted correctly.

An example warning is:

Item mark Total for Quantity is invalid so row is skipped.

This can occur when a spreadsheet contains a summary row such as:

Item Mark	Quantity
Total	Total for Quantity

Because the row does not contain a valid production item and numeric quantity, Fabritec skips it.

Warnings may indicate:

Invalid item marks

Non-numeric quantities

Missing required values

Summary or total rows interpreted as item data

Incorrect column mapping

Unit or measurement values in an unexpected format

Spreadsheet headers that do not match the selected scheme

A skipped row is not included in the imported data.

Review each warning and determine whether the skipped row is:

An unnecessary report summary row, or

A valid production record that must be corrected

Resolving Import Warnings

When an important row is skipped:

Click Cancel to stop the import.

Open the spreadsheet.

Locate the affected row.

Correct the item mark, quantity, or other invalid value.

Confirm that the spreadsheet header matches the scheme.

Save the file.

Upload and process it again.

Review the new preview.

When the warning relates only to a non-production total or summary row, the import may continue after confirming that no required item was excluded.

Common Scheme Problems

The Wrong Data Appears Under a Field

Example:

Material appears under Profile

Width appears under Thickness

Drawing number appears under Item Name

Cause:

The scheme field was mapped to the wrong spreadsheet header.

Resolution:

Create or select a scheme with the correct header mappings.

Quantities Are Too High

Possible causes:

PerAssembly was selected when the spreadsheet already contained total part quantities.

Assembly quantities were multiplied by part quantities that were already totals.

Duplicate rows exist in the file.

Resolution:

Verify the meaning of the part quantity column and select the correct Part Quantity Mode.

Quantities Are Too Low

Possible causes:

Total was selected when the spreadsheet contained quantities per assembly.

Some rows were skipped because of invalid quantities.

The wrong quantity column was mapped.

Resolution:

Review the source file, warnings, and quantity mapping.

Weight Total Is Incorrect

Possible causes:

The wrong weight column was selected.

The spreadsheet contains total weight while the scheme expects item weight.

The configured unit does not match the file.

Quantity calculations have affected the total.

Some rows were skipped.

Resolution:

Confirm the weight column, weight meaning, quantity mode, and weight unit.

No Parts Appear Under Assemblies

Possible causes:

The Sub Item Mark (Part) header is incorrect.

Assembly marks are missing from part rows.

A scheme designed for an assembly-only file was selected.

The file does not contain a usable parent-and-part relationship.

Resolution:

Review the assembly and part mark mappings and the structure of the spreadsheet.

Columns Are Not Detected

Possible causes:

The file header is spelled differently from the scheme.

Extra spaces exist in the spreadsheet header.

The scheme was created for another report format.

The expected data is stored under a different column.

Resolution:

Use View to compare the selected scheme with the exact spreadsheet headers.

A Total Row Is Skipped

This is expected when the report includes non-item summary rows containing words such as:

Total

Grand Total

Total for Quantity

Summary

Remove these rows from the source file when they generate unnecessary warnings.

Completing the Import

When the preview is correct:

Review the totals.

Review the imported items and parts.

Check all warnings.

Confirm whether Delete Existing Items should remain selected or unselected.

Click Add.

Click Cancel to leave the preview without completing the import.

After items are added, return to the Add Items page and review the resulting item classifications.

Depending on the revision and comparison with existing data, items may be classified as:

New

Updated

Deleted

Continue to the next revision step only after confirming that the item data is complete and accurate.

Recommended Scheme Management Approach

Create a separate scheme for each stable engineering export format.

For example:

Tekla assembly list

Tekla assembly and part list

ERP BOM export

Assembly-only report

Part list with quantities per assembly

Part list with total quantities

Kilogram and millimetre format

Tonne and metre format

Do not reuse one scheme across different files unless their column headers, quantity logic, and units are the same.

Best Practices

Give every scheme a clear and descriptive name.

Create schemes based on the exact spreadsheet headers.

Use View before uploading a file.

Confirm the Part Quantity Mode with the engineering team.

Keep quantity cells numeric.

Keep measurement units consistent.

Do not assume automatic unit conversion.

Remove unnecessary report totals and summary rows.

Compare preview totals with the original engineering report.

Review skipped rows before completing the import.

Use Delete Existing Items only for confirmed full replacements.

Reuse a scheme only when the spreadsheet structure has not changed.

Create a new scheme when a supplier, ERP, detailing tool, or report format uses different headers.

Keep the original spreadsheet as a reference before importing.

Confirm that the correct project, phase, and revision are selected.

Example Import Workflow

A typical import process is:

Export the assembly and part list from the engineering system.

Review the spreadsheet headers and units.

Open the required phase revision in Fabritec.

Go to Add Items.

Click Import From Excel.

Select an existing scheme or click Add New Scheme.

Map each Fabritec field to its spreadsheet header.

Select PerAssembly or Total.

Define the weight and dimensional units.

10.

Save the scheme.

11.

Click Choose File.

12.

Select the Excel or CSV file.

13.

Click Next.

14.

Review the processed items, quantities, and weight.

15.

Review all warnings and skipped rows.

16.

Decide whether existing items should be permanently deleted.

17.

Click Add.

18.

Review the imported items on the Add Items page.

19.

Continue to Add Drawings after confirming the data.

Phases – Configure phase details before revisions

Routing Setup – Define operation sequences

Production – Track manufacturing progress

Quality Control – Inspect approved items

Documents – Manage project-level files

Schemas for Excel and CSV Import

What an Import Scheme Does#

Where to Find Import Schemes#

Before Configuring a Scheme#

Spreadsheet Headers Must Match the Scheme#

Creating a New Scheme#

Scheme Name#

Scheme Mapping Fields#

Item Mark (Assembly)#

Sub Item Mark (Part)#

Item / Part Name#

Qty#

Part Quantity Mode#

PerAssembly#

Total#

Selecting the Correct Part Quantity Mode#

Weight#

Weight Unit#

Profile#

Shape#

Material#

Drawing Number#

Length#

Length Unit#

Width#

Width Unit#

Thickness#

Thickness Unit#

Area#

Area Unit#

Volume#

Volume Unit#

Holes Diameters#

Holes Diameters Unit#

Number of Holes#

Example of a Complete Scheme#

Saving the Scheme#

Selecting an Existing Scheme#

Viewing Scheme Details#

Review the Scheme Before Every Import#

Uploading the Excel or CSV File#

Processing the File#

Reviewing the Import Preview#

Understanding Import Totals#

Total Final Quantity#

Total Items Weight (T)#

Delete Existing Items#

Permanent Deletion Warning#

Import Warnings#

Resolving Import Warnings#

Common Scheme Problems#

The Wrong Data Appears Under a Field#

Quantities Are Too High#

Quantities Are Too Low#

Weight Total Is Incorrect#

No Parts Appear Under Assemblies#

Columns Are Not Detected#

A Total Row Is Skipped#

Completing the Import#

Recommended Scheme Management Approach#

Best Practices#

Example Import Workflow#

🔗 Related Pages#

What an Import Scheme Does

Where to Find Import Schemes

Before Configuring a Scheme

Spreadsheet Headers Must Match the Scheme

Creating a New Scheme

Scheme Name

Scheme Mapping Fields

Item Mark (Assembly)

Sub Item Mark (Part)

Item / Part Name

Qty

Part Quantity Mode

PerAssembly

Total

Selecting the Correct Part Quantity Mode

Weight

Weight Unit

Profile

Shape

Material

Drawing Number

Length

Length Unit

Width

Width Unit

Thickness

Thickness Unit

Area

Area Unit

Volume

Volume Unit

Holes Diameters

Holes Diameters Unit

Number of Holes

Example of a Complete Scheme

Saving the Scheme

Selecting an Existing Scheme

Viewing Scheme Details

Review the Scheme Before Every Import

Uploading the Excel or CSV File

Processing the File

Reviewing the Import Preview

Understanding Import Totals

Total Final Quantity

Total Items Weight (T)

Delete Existing Items

Permanent Deletion Warning

Import Warnings

Resolving Import Warnings

Common Scheme Problems

The Wrong Data Appears Under a Field

Quantities Are Too High

Quantities Are Too Low

Weight Total Is Incorrect

No Parts Appear Under Assemblies

Columns Are Not Detected

A Total Row Is Skipped

Completing the Import

Recommended Scheme Management Approach

Best Practices

Example Import Workflow

🔗 Related Pages