Importing Objects from Excel in Nora IPLM

4 min read

Use Import Objects From Excel to create objects and relationships from a structured workbook. Nora IPLM checks the file against the platform configuration before import and lets you review the detected rows, labels, and hierarchy.

If validation succeeds, you can approve the workbook and open the imported hierarchy in the Structure widget. If validation fails, the import remains blocked until you correct the reported errors.

Open the import window

1. Locate the Import Objects From Excel button in the upper-right toolbar. The button is represented by a spreadsheet icon.
2. Select the button to open the Import Objects From Excel window.
3. Review the supported file formats and workbook preparation guidance.

The import window accepts .xlsx, .xls, and .csv files. Only the first worksheet is validated and imported.

Download the approved template

Select Download the approved Excel template to obtain a workbook structured for the current platform configuration.

Using the approved template helps ensure that object types, states, relationships, and attribute column labels match the values expected by Nora IPLM.

Show or hide the information panel

Select the information button next to the template link to display additional workbook instructions. Select it again to hide the information panel.

Opening or closing this panel changes only the amount of guidance displayed in the window. It does not change the selected file or the import configuration.

Prepare the workbook structure

• Each row represents an object occurrence. Repeated occurrences of the same new object are supported.
• Use level 0 for a top-level or standalone object. A workbook can contain multiple level 0 rows.
• Use levels 1, 2, and higher to nest an object beneath the nearest preceding row at a lower level.
• Leave Relationship empty for level 0 rows.
• For child objects, relationship values must exactly match the corresponding platform labels.
• Type, State, and attribute column labels must exactly match the platform configuration.

Only the first worksheet is processed, even when the workbook contains additional sheets.

Choose a file

1. Select Choose file.
2. Locate the prepared .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file on your computer.
3. Select the file and wait for the workbook checks to finish.

After the file is processed, the window displays its name and the number of detected rows and columns.

To select a different workbook, choose Replace file. The current validation results and preview are replaced with the results for the newly selected file.

Review the validation summary

• Rows Ready: The number of rows detected in the first worksheet.
• Labels Matched: The number of labels matched across the available catalogs.
• Needs Attention: The number of mismatches or other issues that must be reviewed before approval.

When all workbook checks pass, a confirmation message appears and Approve & import becomes available. Object uniqueness is checked during the import itself.

Use the filters in the Validation report to review all results or focus on Attribute, Type, State, or Relationship. If a category contains no problems, the report indicates that no issues were found.

Review the data preview

The Data preview shows how Nora IPLM interpreted the workbook. Review the values in columns such as Level, Name, Relationship, State, and Type.

• Confirm that top-level objects use level 0.
• Confirm that child objects use the intended level and relationship.
• Check object names, states, and types.
• Confirm that the row order produces the intended hierarchy.

Select Expand preview to give the data preview the full width of the window. Select Collapse preview to return to the split view containing both the validation report and the data preview. These controls do not change the workbook or its validation results.

Resolve a blocked import

If the workbook contains invalid or unrecognized labels, a red message indicates that the import is blocked. Needs Attention shows the number of detected issues, and the approval control is replaced by a disabled Resolve validation errors button.

No objects are imported while the validation errors remain unresolved.

The report can identify an unrecognized column header, a missing required Type, State, or Relationship (Relation) column, or a value that does not match a platform label.

When a likely matching label exists, the report displays a Did you mean suggestion. Confirm that the suggestion represents the intended field or value before changing the workbook.

1. Review the issues under All, or use the category filters.
2. Correct the workbook on your computer.
3. Ensure that every type, state, and relationship exactly matches its platform label.
4. Select Replace file and choose the corrected workbook.
5. Review the new validation summary and data preview.

Repeat these steps until Needs Attention shows 0, the workbook checks pass, and Approve & import becomes available.

Approve and import the workbook

Nothing is imported while you are reviewing the validation report and data preview.

1. Select Approve & import.
2. Wait while Nora IPLM creates the objects and relationships.
3. Monitor the import progress displayed in the loading window.

The progress window identifies the workbook being processed and shows the number of rows included in the import. Keep the application open until processing finishes.

Object uniqueness is checked at this stage. If an object with the same Name and Type already exists in the platform, Nora IPLM displays an error during the import. Update the object name or type in the workbook as appropriate, then select Replace file and repeat the validation and approval process.

Review the imported structure

When the import completes successfully, Nora IPLM opens the imported data in the Structure widget.

The level 0 row appears as a top-level object. Rows assigned to higher levels appear beneath their corresponding parent objects using the relationships defined in the workbook.

Review the resulting structure to confirm that all expected objects were created, child objects appear beneath the correct parent, relationships match the workbook, and imported values are correct.

Understand validation and import

Choosing a file starts the workbook review but does not create or update objects. Objects and relationships are created only after you select Approve & import.

The initial checks validate workbook labels and structure against the platform configuration. Every type, state, and relationship must exactly match a platform label. Uniqueness is checked during import, and an existing platform object with the same Name and Type causes an import error.

Imported objects remain subject to the platform’s permissions, validation rules, and lifecycle configuration.

Troubleshooting

If the file cannot be selected, confirm that it uses the .xlsx, .xls, or .csv format.

If Needs Attention is greater than zero, use the validation report filters to identify the affected attributes, types, states, or relationships.

If Resolve validation errors is disabled, correct the workbook outside Nora IPLM and upload the corrected version with Replace file.

If a required column is reported as missing, check its spelling and compare the header with the approved template. A misspelled header can be interpreted as an unrelated attribute instead of the required column.

If a column or value is not recognized, review any Did you mean suggestion and compare it with the corresponding platform label.

If a uniqueness error appears during import, search the platform for an existing object with the same Name and Type. Change the workbook value as appropriate and import the corrected file again.

If objects are nested incorrectly, review the Level values and row order. Each child is placed beneath the nearest preceding row at a lower level.

If expected data is missing, confirm that it is included in the first worksheet.