This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

Importing External Data

EPLAN Harness proD Library allows you to import library items using text data from external applications (ECAD applications typically) or created manually. The supported formats of the text files are *.txt and *.csv. The text file must contain the [head], [columns] and [data] sections. In case a header file is used, the source file can contain only the [data] section.

[head] section

Each library component has a keyword assigned. The component keyword is specified in the [head] section.

[columns] section

The [columns] section follows after the [head] section. Most of the library component properties have a keyword assigned. This property keyword is specified in the [columns] section. One row represents one property. The columns can be named and units can be assigned to a property in the [columns] section. The user-defined name of the column must be used in the [data] section.

[data] section

The [data] section follows after the [columns] section. Each column represents one component property defined in the [columns] section. Each row represents one component type and the values of the properties specified in the [columns] section.

Header file

A header file must contain the [head] and [columns] sections. Supported formats are *.txt and *.csv. In case a header file is used, the source file can contain only the [data] section. Using a combination of the source and header file allows to have different source files for the same component type. Header files can be saved in the Define properties step of the Import wizard. The [head] and [columns] sections are saved in the header file.

Template file

Template files store the settings for the separator and the handling of existing parts. Template files have the *.hxlit extension and can be saved in the last step of the Import wizard.

  1. Select the Library > Import external data menu items.

    The Import wizard is launched.
  2. Click [...] in the Data file to import field to navigate to the path of the source file to be imported.
  3. Click [...] in the Optional header file field to navigate to the path of an optional header file.
  4. Click [...] in the Template file with settings field to navigate to an optional template file which determines the separator and the handling of existing parts.
  5. Click [Next].
  6. From the Type drop-down list select the type of component to be imported; the entry is defaulted to the definition in the [head] section.
  7. The table below the Type drop-down list displays the properties defined for the component. The [Add] button adds a property, the [Edit] button allows to edit the selected property, the [Mandatory] button adds all mandatory properties, and the [Delete] button removes the selected property.
  8. Click on the Save header file link to save the current settings as header file.
  9. Click [Next].
  10. From the Separators group box, select one of the predefined separators. Or activate the Other separator check box and enter the desired one in the field below.
  11. Enter a character into the Ignore rows starting with field if certain rows in the source or header file starting with this character are to be ignored during the import.
  12. Enter the number of columns and rows to be used in the Columns and Rows fields respectively.
  13. Click [Next].

    The Parts table provides a preview of the parts to be imported.
  14. From the Existing parts' handling drop-down list select the Overwrite existing entry to have all existing records overwritten; or select the Do not change option if existing parts are not to be changed. Or select one of the Increase minor version or Increase major version options to increase the minor / major version of existing parts. Or select the Delete existing (no import) option if existing parts are to be deleted and none are to be imported.
  15. The Save settings link allows for saving the current settings as a template file.

Note:

For special characters to be imported correctly, the text file must be UTF-8 encoded.

Tip:

In the <Drive>:\<Program directory>\Demo\Demo_Library_Import folder you can find some examples of importable text files and also a list of supported units.