Excel file upload

For early-stage estimates, refurbishments, or any project where you don’t have a BIM model, you can upload an Excel workbook with materials or types and their quantities. Real-Time LCA turns each row into an item in the Building Component Inventory that you can map to a material or construction.

​

When to use Excel upload

• Concept and feasibility studies before a model exists.
• Renovation and refurbishment projects driven by quantity take-offs.
• Filling gaps when the BIM model is incomplete (e.g., MEP, finishes).

​

Open the upload menu

Open the project and switch to the Material Mapping tab. Click the upload icon next to Select above the Building Component Inventory to open the menu, then choose Excel upload.

​

Download the template

The Upload Excel file modal opens. Click Download Template to get the official spreadsheet — it has the columns Real-Time LCA expects and a few example rows to copy.

​

Filling in the template

The template has two sheets:

• ImportData — the sheet Real-Time LCA reads when you import. Put your real data here.
• Example — a worked example you can copy from. It is ignored on import.

​

Step 1: Pick a classification system

Cell A1 is a dropdown. Open it and choose the classification system you want to use for column A across the whole sheet. Supported systems: Pick the system that matches the Classification System you set on the project’s Speckle model configuration — otherwise the rows will not group into BIM types correctly.

​

Step 2: Enter a code per row

Cells A2 and below become validated dropdowns scoped to the classification system from A1. Pick the code for each row.

​

Step 3: Fill in the remaining columns

Each row describes one material layer. To build a multi-layer type, repeat the same Classification Code and Type on consecutive rows and change only the Material and quantities — that tells Real-Time LCA those layers belong to the same construction. Use only the quantity columns that apply to the layer — leave the rest at 0 or blank.

​

Example: a three-layer external wall

The three rows share the same classification code and type, so Real-Time LCA stacks them as layers of one Exterior Wall 588 mm construction. Save the workbook when you are done.

​

Upload the file

Back in the Upload Excel file modal:

1. Choose Upload to model — the Speckle model in your project the rows should be attached to (for example, architectural).
2. Toggle Overwrite existing materials if you want this upload to replace materials and types previously imported for that model. Leave it off to add to what is already there.
3. Drop your .xlsx file in the Click to upload or drag and drop area, or click to browse.
4. Click Import. Use Cancel or × to abort without changes.

The rows appear in the Building Component Inventory, ready for material and construction mapping.

​

Updating quantities

Re-uploading the workbook creates a new version of the rows. Existing mappings carry over for items whose identifier is unchanged.