How Do I Link SolidWorks BOM to Excel?

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Linking SolidWorks Bill of Materials (BOM) to Excel can be a handy way to streamline your workflow and keep your data organized. By linking the BOM to Excel, you can easily update and manage your BOM information without the need to manually enter data into multiple software applications.

Step 1: Exporting the BOM from SolidWorks

To begin, you first need to export the BOM from SolidWorks. Here’s how:

  1. Open your SolidWorks assembly.
  2. Navigate to the “File” menu and select “Save As”.
  3. Choose “Excel (*.xls, *.xlsx)” as the file type.
  4. Select a location on your computer where you want to save the exported BOM.
  5. Type a name for the file and click “Save”.
  6. If prompted, select the appropriate options for exporting the BOM.
    • You may have options such as including custom properties or saving only the top-level components. Choose according to your requirements.
    • Note that these options may vary depending on your version of SolidWorks.

Step 2: Linking the BOM in Excel

Now that you have exported the BOM from SolidWorks, it’s time to link it in Excel:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. Select an empty cell where you want to insert the linked BOM.
  3. Navigate to the “Data” tab in the Excel ribbon.
  4. Click on “From Text/CSV” in the “Get External Data” section.
  5. Select the exported BOM file from your computer and click “Import”.
    • If needed, specify the appropriate delimiter for your BOM file (e.g., comma, tab, etc.) and click “Next”.
  6. Select the destination cell for importing the BOM data and click “Finish”.
    • You can choose to import the data as a table or a pivot table based on your preference.
    • Excel will import the BOM data into the selected cell and automatically create a link between SolidWorks and Excel.

Step 3: Updating and Managing the Linked BOM

You’ve successfully linked SolidWorks BOM to Excel! Now, let’s explore how you can update and manage this linked BOM:

Updating the BOM Data

To update the BOM data, simply make changes in SolidWorks, save your assembly, and refresh the Excel worksheet. The linked cells will automatically reflect any modifications made in SolidWorks.

Managing Custom Properties

If you have custom properties defined in SolidWorks, you can also link them to Excel. This allows you to manage additional information associated with each component in your assembly. To do this:

  1. In SolidWorks, right-click on a component in the FeatureManager Design Tree, select “Properties”, and add the desired custom properties.
  2. In Excel, select the cell where you want to display the custom property value and type “=CELL_REFERENCE.CUSTOM_PROPERTY_NAME”.
    • Replace “CELL_REFERENCE” with the appropriate cell reference from your BOM.
    • Replace “CUSTOM_PROPERTY_NAME” with the name of the custom property you want to display.
  3. Repeat step 2 for each custom property you want to link to Excel.

By following these steps, you can easily link SolidWorks BOM to Excel, ensuring efficient data management and synchronization between these two powerful software applications. This integration can significantly enhance your productivity and eliminate redundant data entry tasks.

Note: The process may vary slightly depending on your version of SolidWorks and Excel. Be sure to refer to the respective software documentation for detailed instructions specific to your setup.

Remember: Always save a backup copy of your files before making any changes or modifications to avoid any potential data loss or corruption.