Many Revit users report that they would like the ability to import an Excel sheet or its data directly into a Revit schedule, so they can improve data integration and workflow efficiency.
Even though Revit, by default, does not have this functionality, this does not mean it’s not possible.
In practice, this becomes critical on larger projects where data is updated frequently. Manual re-entry leads to coordination issues, outdated schedules, and unnecessary rework.
If you have time (and patience) there is always a possibility to create your own Dynamo Script. If not, there are also several reliable plugins available that significantly reduce setup time.
In this article, we will show you a practical example of how you can import data from an Excel spreadsheet directly into Revit using the Import Spreadsheet tool, which is part of the Kobi Toolkit for Revit.
How to import Excel Spreadsheet into Revit?
Let’s look at an example where we are preparing documentation for a new project. The model floor plans are done, but we also want to include an Excel spreadsheet with door requirements. We want to include additional information about the doors, such as manufacturer, frame finish and fire rating, acoustic requirements, etc.
Of course, we could manually retype this information from an Excel Spreadsheet and add it to our Revit model. But on a large-scale project, this data may be updated later during revisions from fire protection engineers, acoustic engineers and client feedback on materials. We don’t want the risk of error or outdated data. Instead, we want to link the spreadsheet and ensure that the latest information from Excel is always represented in our Revit schedules and sheets.
An example of an Excel spreadsheet is shown below.
We want to keep the original formatting of the spreadsheet and have a quick and reliable way to update spreadsheets inside Revit. When the source Excel file changes, we want to update all spreadsheets without losing any formatting.
In our case, we started with a door schedule exported from Revit and enriched it with data from fire protection engineers and client requirements. This kind of multi-discipline input is common on larger projects and is exactly where manual data entry becomes error-prone.
Step 1 – Open Import Spreadsheet Tool
To import the Excel spreadsheet into Revit, open the Kobi Toolkit tab and select the Import Spreadsheet tool.
In the Manage Spreadsheet Imports dialog, you can add and manage multiple Excel spreadsheets. Additional information about the Import Spreadsheet tool can be found here.
Add the Source Excel Files
By clicking Add, you can navigate to the Excel spreadsheet you wish to import. Select Open XLS and navigate to the desired spreadsheet.
You can also define how many rows are used as headers and decide how you want to split the spreadsheet if it contains a large number of rows. There are also some additional settings for defining border line styles and a column width factor. You can even save the changes back to the XLS file.
Once you are satisfied, select the cells you wish to import or click on Tools > Select Used Cells. Then select the Save Changes button.
In this example Excel file, we also have different worksheets saved as tabs. By adding the spreadsheet and selecting the desired cells in each tab, we can import multiple spreadsheets from the same file.
We select Import/Update to import all the spreadsheets at once. The spreadsheets will appear in the Schedules section and can be placed on sheets.
Step 2 – Update Revised Excel Files
When the original Excel file is updated, you can see it in Manage Spreadsheet Imports dialog (Import Spreadsheet) marked as Outdated. You can reload them by clicking Reload and selecting one of the options: Reload Selected, Reload All, or Reload Outdated.
When clicking Import/Update, all the spreadsheets will get updated on the sheets without losing any formatting.
Conclusion: Faster, More Reliable Data in Revit
Importing Excel data into Revit doesn’t just save time. It also reduces coordination errors, improves data consistency, and ensures that your documentation always reflects the latest project information.
Instead of manually updating schedules, you can maintain a connection between Excel and Revit. This is especially valuable in complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
If you want to improve your workflow and eliminate repetitive data entry, you can try the Import Spreadsheet tool, which is part of the Kobi Toolkit for Revit.
Download your free 15-day trial here: https://kobilabs.com/free-trial/
Test it on your own project and see how quickly you can go from disconnected spreadsheets to fully coordinated Revit documentation.
