Create Materials from Import File

Create Materials from Import File

We've added a new “Create New Materials from Import File” command to the Database Management Tools tab.  


This tool allows you to select an Excel file and create or modify database materials by import.  During the import, if a material name is found in the existing database materials it will modify the properties, if an existing material name is not found a new material will be created.  You will have the option to review the materials that will be created or edited before continuing.

If an existing sheet stock material is found and there are sheet sizes listed out for the material in the import file, existing materials in the database will be updated with the sheet sizes from the import file.  If no sheet sizes are listed, the sheets in the database will not be updated.

Import File Structure

The selected file must be in .xlsx file format.  Each sheet within the file is reserved for specific material types.  The sheets within the Excel file must be in the following order.

1 st Sheet = Sheet Stock Materials
2 nd Sheet = Solid Stock Materials
3 rd Sheet = Buyout Materials
4 th Sheet = Edgeband Materials
5 th Sheet = Hardware Materials

The first row is reserved for column header names and should not be used for materials.  Start listing materials on row 2.  Each column within the spreadsheet is associated with a property for the material.  The columns may differ for different material types.  Below is the breakdown of each column’s material property and the appropriate property value types.  For example, grain direction requires a value of either 0, 1, or 2.

If you want to update an existing material, any cell left blank will not be populated.  So, for instance, if you wanted to update Labor Values for materials with this tool, enter the Material Name in the first column and then only fill out the Labor Value column.  All other properties will be skipped.


Sheet Stock Materials

Column A = Material Name (String Value)
Column B = Thickness (Double Value)
Column C = Code (String Value)
Column D = Comments (String Value)
Column E = Grain (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = None, 1 = Grain Length, 2 = Grain Width) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 0.
Column F = Markup (Double Value)
Column G = Waste Factor (Double Value)
Column H = Labor Value (Double Value)
Column I = Extended Data 1 (String Value)
Column J = Extended Data 2 (String Value)
Column K = Extended Data 3 (String Value)
Column L = Face 6 Flip Setting (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = By Material, 1= Always Ask, 2 = Always Flip, 3 = Never Flip) Invalid value will result in setting a value of 1.
Column M = Hatching Pattern (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = No Hatch, 1 = PB Hatch, 2 = Ply Hatch, 3 = Wood Hatch, 4 = Blocking) Invalid value will result in setting a value of 0.
Column N = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column O = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column P = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column Q = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column R = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column S = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)

The next columns are used to create sheets for the material on the same row.  To create multiple sheets, repeat the following column properties in the same order.  So you would start the second sheet in column AF and so on.

Column T = Sheet Quantity (Integer Value)
Column U = Sheet Width (Double Value)
Column V = Sheet Length (Double Value)
Column W = Leading Width Trim (Double Value)
Column X = Trailing Width Trim (Double Value)
Column Y = Leading Length Trim (Double Value)
Column Z = Trailing Length Trim (Double Value)
Column AA = Optimization Priority (Integer Value)
Column AB = Estimate Price (Double Value)
Column AC = Handling Code (String Value)
Column AD = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)
Column AE = Future Property (Reserved for future material property)


Solid Stock & Buyout Materials

Column A = Material Name (String Value)
Column B = Thickness (Double Value)
Column C = Code (String Value)
Column D = Comments (String Value)
Column E = Handling Code (String Value)
Column F = Grain (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = None, 1 = Grain Length, 2 = Grain Width) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 0.
Column G = Markup (Double Value)
Column H = Waste Factor (Double Value)
Column I = Labor Value (Double Value)
Column J = Extended Data 1 (String Value)
Column K = Extended Data 2 (String Value)
Column L = Extended Data 3 (String Value)
Column M = Estimate Price (Double Value)
Column N = Unit Type (Integer Value restricted values of: 1 = Each, 2 = Lin Ft/ Lin Meter, 3 = Sq Ft./Sq Meter 4 = Brd Ft./Brd Meter) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 1.
Column O = Hatching Pattern (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = No Hatch, 1 = PB Hatch, 2 = Ply Hatch, 3 = Wood Hatch, 4 = Blocking) Invalid value will result in setting a value of 0.


Edgeband Materials

Column A = Material Name (String Value)
Column B = Thickness (Double Value)
Column C = Code (String Value)
Column D = Comments (String Value)
Column E = Handling Code (String Value)
Column F = Part Size Adjustment (Double Value)
Column G = Markup (Double Value)
Column H = Waste Factor (Double Value)
Column I = Labor Value (Double Value)
Column J = Extended Data 1 (String Value)
Column K = Extended Data 2 (String Value)
Column L = Extended Data 3 (String Value)
Column M = Estimate Price (Double Value)
Column N = Unit Type (Integer Value restricted values of: 1 = Each, 2 = Lin Ft/ Lin Meter, 3 = Sq Ft./Sq Meter 4 = Brd Ft./Brd Meter) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 1.


Hardware Materials

Column A = Material Name (String Value)
Column B = Code (String Value)
Column C = Comments (String Value)
Column D = Handling Code (String Value)
Column E = Markup (Double Value)
Column F = Waste Factor (Double Value)
Column G = Labor Value (Double Value)
Column H = Extended Data 1 (String Value)
Column I = Extended Data 2 (String Value)
Column J = Extended Data 3 (String Value)
Column K = Estimate Price (Double Value)
Column L = Unit Type (Integer Value restricted values of: 1 = Each, 2 = Lin Ft/ Lin Meter) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 1.
Column M = Non Associative Drawing Name (String Value)
Column N = Associative Drawing Name (String Value)
Column O = 2D Non-Associative Elv Block Name (String Value)
Column P = Skip Spreadsheet Sync (Integer Value restricted values of: 0 = False, 1 = True) Invalid Value will result in setting a value of 0.

Download a sample import spreadsheet in the attached .xlsx file below.


    • Related Articles

    • How to Import Materials using Database Management

      NOTICE: The Import function of Database Management is a powerful tool that modifies data in the current configuration.  ALWAYS  back up your data before executing a data Import. The articles in this section of the Knowledge Base involve importing and ...
    • Database Management Utilities (Reference)

      NOTICE: The Database Management Utility is a powerful tool that modifies large sections of data in the current configuration.  ALWAYS back up your data before performing a data import. The Library Import functionality of Database Management is ...
    • How to Export Materials using Database Management

      The articles in this section of the Knowledge Base involve importing and exporting from the Database Management window. For general information regarding the Database Management tool, or how to access it, see Database Management Utilities (Overview). ...
    • How to Import Subassemblies using Database Management

      NOTICE: The Import function of Database Management is a powerful tool that modifies data in the current configuration.  ALWAYS  back up your data before executing a data Import. The articles in this section of the Knowledge Base involve importing and ...
    • How to Import Products using Database Management

      NOTICE: The Import function of Database Management is a powerful tool that modifies data in the current configuration.  ALWAYS  back up your data before executing a data Import. The articles in this section of the Knowledge Base involve importing and ...
    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...
    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.0919

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.0919 Additions Added 5 new special Wine Rack products and 9 new Wine Rack Insert subassemblies. Products: Master Vertical Wine Rack Corner Frame Master Vertical Wine Rack ...
    • Foundation Library Catalog: Appliances

      This document lists the full range of appliance products within the Microvellum Foundation Library. Appliances are non-cabinet products such as refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, intended to be placed into Microvellum project rooms for visualization ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.0913.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.0913.641 Copying Fix Issues were reportedly occurring when users attempted to copy projects and rooms: When attempting to copy a and move a project, it was sometimes the case that products being ...
    • Foundation Library Catalog: Countertops

      This document lists all products in the Countertop category of Microvellum's Foundation Library. Countertop products are products designed to be placed atop counters or placed along wall components to act as surfaces, coming in a variety of shapes to ...