Import Spaces from a Spreadsheet to the Spatial Index
This topic offers guidelines on creating a spreadsheet template in Microsoft Excel for importing spaces into Project Center.
You can access the sample spatial index spreadsheet template supplied with Project Center in the following location: C:\Program Files\Newforma\Tenth Edition\Project Center\Templates\Import_SpatialData_Template.xlsx
1 You must be a Project Center administrator to perform this procedure.
Spatial index fields
The import spreadsheet has the following fields:
● Is Space Type – Denotes whether the current Data Table item defines a space type.
● Number – The value of the spatial index item's Revit Mark parameter.
● Name – The value of the spatial index item's Revit Name parameter.
● Space Type – Denotes which space type the current Data Table item is associated with.
● System – A generic field used to further define what system the current spatial index item is associated with (Interior, Exterior, Site, etc.).
● Team Members – The team members designated as points of contact for the spatial index item's.
● Data Sheet – A link to a project file that details specifics regarding the current Data Table item (typically a Room Data Sheet).
● Keywords - The keywords that apply to the spatial index item. Separate multiple values with a semicolon. Whether all entries must already be in the project keywords keyword list depends on the project settings.
● ID – A tracking ID generated by Project Center. Leave this field blank when adding data to the template.
1 The spatial index import includes the <SpatialIndexExtendedPropertiesDataTable>.
To create an import file for spaces and import it
1. |
Make a backup copy of your existing spreadsheet with the data. |
2. |
Edit the spreadsheet and fill in the required data: ● Add the desired spatial index extended properties (Group Name, Property Name, Default Value, Show in Log, and Read Only). ● Add the desired space types to the Spatial Index Data Table: ● Ensure the "Is Space Type" field is marked as "True." ● Insert any newly created extended property’s group and property names into the Spatial Index Data Table: ● Add them before the ID column. ● Follow the syntax of <Group Name.Property Name>. ● The column order must follow the row order of the Extended Properties table. ● Remove any extra rows from either table. Don’t remove any header or footer rows (marked with braces). 1 To import spaces correctly, you must format your Excel spreadsheet to the exact format as the template supplied above. |
3. |
Copy your data columns to the Import_SpatialData_Template.xlsx file, replacing the sample columns with your own information. |
4. |
Edit the field values based on the information given in the Spatial index fields section above. Add values to fields where required. |
5. |
After you finish editing the Import_SpatialData_Template.xlsx spreadsheet, import it into a Project Center project by opening the Spatial Index activity center and clicking Utilities > Import Spreadsheet from the Tasks panel to open the Select Spreadsheet dialog box, as shown here: |
6. |
Locate the spreadsheet, then click Open to start the import process. |
7. |
After importing, the Import Log dialog box opens showing any import errors. Fix any errors that appear in the spreadsheet, then re-import it. 1 The import will not succeed until all errors are addressed. |
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After the spreadsheet is imported, each row in the spreadsheet becomes a space, and the spaces appear in the appropriate categories. |
Tips
● When you are only adding rooms to the spreadsheet for import, set the column <is space type> to False, and enter the new room name in the <name> column, the room number in the <number> column, etc.
● To create a Room Type for import, set <is space type> to True and enter the new space type name in the <name> column. The Room Type can be used in the <space type> column to identify the type of space being imported.