Import Package Format

An import package is a ZIP file uploaded from the IMPORT/EXPORT tab in the Project Window to bulk-load data into a project. It contains:

• One or more Excel spreadsheets with equipment data, personnel, and document references. The spreadsheet drives the import — every record and link starts here.
• Document files (optional) — certificates, photos, drawings, or any other files referenced in the spreadsheet. Place them in the ZIP next to the spreadsheet — do not nest them in subfolders.

A typical import package looks like this inside the ZIP:

MyImport.zip
├── Equipment.xlsx          ← spreadsheet with equipment data
├── IECEx-12345.pdf
└── ANZEx-67890.pdf

Tip

The official import template is available from the IMPORT/EXPORT tab in the Project Window. Each column header in the template describes the expected data and serves as the primary reference when preparing an import.

(Import Template link on the IMPORT/EXPORT tab)

Spreadsheet Tabs

The template contains multiple tabs. Not every tab needs to be filled — partial imports are supported.

Tab	Purpose
Equipment	Main equipment register — tag numbers, locations, certification, Ex ratings, and electrical data
Equipment-Docs	Links documents (drawings, manuals, etc.) to tagged equipment
Associated Equipment	Untagged items (IS barriers, cable glands) linked to tagged equipment
Associated Equipment-Docs	Links documents to associated equipment items
Personnel	Plant personnel and their operational roles
Personnel Docs	Qualifications, competencies, and CVs linked to personnel
Project Docs	Project-level documents (HAC drawings, installation specs, GA drawings)

Equipment Tab

The Equipment tab is the largest, with columns organised into these groups:

Group	What it covers
Device	Tag number, site, area, description, service, location, manufacturer, model, and serial number
Dates	Install/purchase date and last inspection date
Certificate	Certificate number, issue number, and certificate file name
Area Classification	Zone, EPL, group, temperature class, ambient temperature range, and IP rating for the device location
Device Ex Ratings	Equipment group, certification framework, protection type(s), EPL, group, temperature class, ambient range, and IP rating for the device itself
Electrical Ratings	Rated power, voltage, current, frequency, and speed
Ex e Motor Data	Start current ratio (Ia/In) and locked rotor time (tE)
IS Input Parameters	Simple device flag, Ui, Ii, Pi, Ci, and Li
IS Output Parameters	Barrier/isolator model, Um, Uo, Io, Po, Co, Lo, and other associated equipment details
User Defined Fields	Six free-text fields — labels are set in the header row
Comments	Two free-text comment fields
Associated Devices	Comma-separated item numbers linking to the Associated Equipment tab

All fields are optional except tag number — it is required for every equipment row and is used to link documents. See Tag Numbers.

Associated Equipment Tab

The only required fields on the Associated Equipment tab are the item number and Cert #. All other fields are optional. The item number is used to link the associated equipment record to equipment through the Associated Devices column on the Equipment tab.

During import, if a record with the same certificate number already exists in the project, the existing record is linked to the relevant equipment items. If no record exists for that certificate number, a new record is created and linked.

Documents

Document files are included alongside the spreadsheet in the ZIP. They are linked to equipment through the Equipment-Docs tab or the certificate columns on the Equipment tab.

File Rules

• File names are case-sensitive and must include the extension (e.g. certificate.pdf, not Certificate).
• Paths in the spreadsheet are relative to the ZIP root.
• Supported file types: PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF.

Certificates

• IECEx certificates are fetched automatically — the full certificate number is entered without spaces (e.g. IECExPTB06.0025X). No file is needed in the ZIP.
• Non-IECEx certificates (ATEX, ANZEx, CSA, etc.) — the file is included in the ZIP with the file name entered in the spreadsheet. If the file is not available yet, the system creates a placeholder record that can be updated later.

Document Type Codes

These codes are used in the document type column of any Docs tab:

Code	Description
cert	Certificate of Conformity
annex	Certificate annex or supplementary sheet
justification_cad	Justification for use / Conformity Assessment Document
hac_doc	Hazardous Area Classification document
hac_dwg	Hazardous Area Classification drawing
drawing	Drawing (electrical, layout, installation detail — not HAC)
calc	Calculation (e.g. IS loop, heat dissipation)
test_record	Test record
insp	Inspection record
audit_insp	Audit inspection record
photo	Photograph or image
mfr_doc	Manufacturer document (manual, installation instructions)
qual	Qualification, CV, or competency document
other	Miscellaneous
other_1 – other_4	User-defined document types

Data Rules

Dates

All date columns must use the format YYYY-MM-DD (e.g. 2025-08-15).

Formatting Notes

• Protection types — entered without the “Ex” prefix, separating mixed techniques with spaces (e.g. d e for Ex de).
• Issue number — must be numeric only (e.g. 2, not Rev 2).
• Document number — required in every Docs tab row. The system uses it (together with issue number) to identify documents and prevent duplicates. Entered without spaces.

Tag Numbers

Tag number (tag_no) is required on every equipment row.

• A unique Tag No. is recommended for each equipment item. Duplicate Tag Nos. are allowed, but they can produce unpredictable results.
• Do not use Import to update equipment that is already in the project. To change existing items, use Group Editing or the Equipment Window.
• For a document-only import, leave the Equipment tab empty and fill in Equipment-Docs. Enter the existing Tag No. in the Tag No column for the item each document should link to.

Limits

Limit	Value
Maximum package size	500 MB
Maximum single file	100 MB
Maximum items per import	10,000

Note

Very large imports should be split into multiple packages.

Validation

The system checks each row on import and reports the result in an import summary.

Check	What it means	How to fix
TAG_NO required	Every equipment row must have a tag number	Add the missing identifier
File paths valid	File names must match actual files in the ZIP	Correct the path or add the missing file
Date format	Date fields must be YYYY-MM-DD	Reformat the date column
File type supported	Only PDF, JPG, PNG, and GIF are accepted	Convert unsupported files to PDF

Each row receives one of these statuses:

Status	Meaning
Imported	Successfully added
Ignored	Skipped during this import
Failed	Error during import — expand the row for details

Related Topics

• Importing Data — Step-by-step import guide
• Documents — Document management reference
• Backing Up Projects — Back up before importing