Software Tips

Importing Microsoft® Excel®

The Import Excel functionality allows users to build an entire project based on data from an external application. Most applications such as SAP, project management tools, parts databases, network analyzer tools, and other estimating tools allow for easy transfer into Excel. Once data from an external application is transferred into Excel, users can massage the data and follow the rules for importing an Excel workbook into TruePlanning. When an Excel workbook is imported into TruePlanning, cost objects appear hierarchically in the Navigation Tree, inputs are populated, and Worksheet Sets are created.

Steps to use the Import Excel functionality

  1. Assumption: You have a Bill of Materials (BOM), from SAP, Excel worksheet that calculates purchased and non-purchased parts. You want to build a TruePlanning project based upon the data in this BOM worksheet.


  1. Access the TruePlanning Excel Import template in the following location… \Program Files\PRICE Systems Solutions\TruePlanning\Templates\TruePlanning Excel Import Template.xls.
  2. Save the TruePlanning Excel Import template to your desktop and rename.
  3. Transfer the BOM worksheet into the TruePlanning Excel Import template.
  4. Massage the data of the BOM worksheet by following the format of the TruePlanning Excel Import template.
  5. The TruePlanning Excel Import template consists of a Cost Objects worksheet and a Resources worksheet.
  6. On the Cost Objects worksheet, the following column names are required: Level, Cost Object Name, and Cost Object Custom Name. Column and row names in Excel need to match TruePlanning input names.
  7. The Level column identifies a cost object's hierarchical indenture in the TruePlanning Navigation Tree.
  8. The Cost Object Name column identifies the cost object name derived from a specific TruePlanning catalog. For example, Hardware Component.
  9. The Cost Object Custom Name column identifies the name of the cost object defined by the user. For example, SKCAD2537-1_PWR_BOX_MDL. Suppose you want to add names to the Cost Object Custom Name column. Switch to the Cost Objects worksheet, click a cell in the Cost Object Custom Name column, and link the cell to an output in the BOM worksheet. Continue to use formulas to link data from the BOM worksheet to cells in the Cost Objects worksheet.



  1. The remaining columns of the Cost Objects worksheet are reserved for users to specify input parameter names and values that they want set on the TruePlanning Input Sheet. For example, Start Date.
  2. On the Resources worksheet, the following column names are required: Worksheet Name and Resource Name.
  3. The Worksheet Name column identifies the name of the Worksheet Set. For example, Worksheet Set A.
  4. The Resource Name column identifies the resource name derived from a specific TruePlanning catalog. For example, Material.
  5. The remaining columns of the Resources worksheet are reserved for users to specify input parameter names and values that they want set on the TruePlanning Input Sheet. For example, Unit Cost.



  1. Save and close the Excel workbook when you are finished massaging the data.
  2. Import the TruePlanning Excel Import template into TruePlanning.



Steps to import an Excel workbook into TruePlanning

  1. Open TruePlanning and click File.
  2. Select Import.
  3. Click Microsoft Excel Workbook(.xls).
  4. Select the Excel workbook that you want to import, and click Open. A TruePlanning project will automatically be created.

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