The Equipment Module import functionality allows you to bring detailed configuration data from an Excel file into AseptSoft. The import maps Engineering Items to Configuration Template Items and applies State values across configurations.
Access the import from the Module Data window via the upward-facing arrow button, then select Equipment Modules Excel Import.
The Excel file can be:
-
A previously exported Equipment Modules workbook (with modifications)
-
A manually created file following the export convention
:page_facing_up: Import File Structure
The Excel file must follow these conventions:
|
Element |
Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Worksheets |
Each worksheet = one Equipment Module (worksheet name = EM name) |
|
Rows |
Each row = one Engineering Item |
|
Columns |
First column = item name (dominant); other columns = Configuration names |
|
Cells |
Each cell = the State of that item in that configuration |
Example File
Worksheet: EM-CIP-SKID-01
|
Name |
CIP Supply |
CIP Return |
Isolated |
|---|---|---|---|
|
XV-CIP-101 |
Open |
Closed |
Closed |
|
XV-CIP-102 |
Open |
Open |
Closed |
|
XV-CIP-103 |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed |
:computer: Import Window
The import window displays all Equipment Modules found in the Excel file and lets you make adjustments before applying.
Equipment Module List
Each EM appears in the list with:
|
Element |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Checkbox |
Include/exclude this EM from the import |
|
Name |
The Equipment Module name (from worksheet name) |
|
Status |
Create (new EM) or Update (existing EM with same name detected) |
Template Assignment
Each Equipment Module must be assigned a Configuration Template. The template dropdown shows compatible templates, filtered by the current suggestion mode.
You can also type a new template name and press Enter to create one on the fly.
Engineering Item Linking
Each Engineering Item must be linked to a Template Item. The dropdown for each item shows:
|
Status |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Create |
A new Template Item will be created |
|
Update |
An existing Template Item will be updated |
|
Exclude |
No Template Item selected — this item will be excluded |
If an Engineering Item exists in the EM but is missing from the Excel file, it appears as Excluded. You can restore it by selecting a Template Item.
:mag: Item Compatibility
When reviewing items during import, AseptSoft shows a compatibility status for each item to help you understand potential conflicts:
|
Status |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Compatible (no conflicts) |
The item matches cleanly with no naming or state conflicts — safe to import as-is |
|
Name conflict with another import item |
Another item in the same import batch shares the same name — resolve by renaming one of the items or excluding the duplicate |
|
Name conflict with existing module |
An item with this name already exists in the target module — the existing item will be updated with the imported values |
These statuses help you quickly identify and resolve any overlapping names before committing the import.
:sparkles: Suggestion Modes
The importer offers three automatic suggestion strategies:
1. Use Existing Templates (Default)
Best for re-importing after editing an export. The algorithm:
-
Looks for an existing EM with the same name
-
Restores the historically assigned Template
-
Restores existing Template Item links
-
Falls back to creating new Template/Items if no match exists
Historical choices are only restored if they remain compatible with the current data.
2. Create New Distinct Templates
Creates fresh Templates and Template Items from scratch. Each EM gets a unique new Template, and each Engineering Item gets a unique new Template Item.
3. Create New Templates With Reuse
Creates new Templates while maximizing reuse:
-
If a new Template is compatible with another EM, it is reused
-
If a Template Item is compatible across EMs with the same Template, it is reused
-
Minimizes the total number of Templates and Template Items created
:handshake: Template Compatibility
Two Equipment Modules are template-compatible if and only if:
-
They have the same number of Configurations
-
They have the same Configuration names
Example
|
EM |
Configurations |
Compatible with EM-CIP-01? |
|---|---|---|
|
EM-CIP-01 |
CIP Supply, CIP Return, Isolated |
— (reference) |
|
EM-CIP-02 |
CIP Supply, CIP Return, Isolated |
Yes (same 3 configs) |
|
EM-WFI-01 |
CIP Supply, CIP Return, Isolated, Passive |
No (4 configs vs. 3) |
EM-CIP-01 and EM-WFI-01 are not compatible because EM-WFI-01 has an extra "Passive" configuration.
:art: Template Item Compatibility
When multiple EMs share the same Template, Template Items are checked for compatibility. Items in the dropdown are color-coded:
|
Color |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Black |
Fully compatible — the item is either unused elsewhere, or used with the same State values |
|
Orange |
Compatible but requires confirmation — the item is used in another EM with different State values (e.g., after editing an export) |
|
Red |
Incompatible — the item is used in another EM from this import with conflicting values. Resolve by reassigning the other EM's item first. |
:test_tube: Pharma Workflow Example
1. Make Excel Changes
Starting from a previously exported file of a CIP facility:
|
Change |
EM |
What Changed |
|---|---|---|
|
State change |
EM-CIP-01 |
Changed XV-CIP-103 state in "CIP Supply" from Open to Closed |
|
Remove item |
EM-CIP-02 |
Deleted an Engineering Item row |
|
Add item |
EM-WFI-01 |
Added new Engineering Item XV-WFI-201 |
|
Add config |
EM-SIP-01 |
Added new Configuration column "Pre-Heat" |
2. Open Import Window
-
Open Module Data window
-
Click the upward arrow for import/export options
-
Select Equipment Modules Excel Import
-
Choose the edited Excel file
3. Review & Adjust
The importer shows each change:
|
EM |
What the Importer Shows |
Resolution |
|---|---|---|
|
EM-CIP-01 |
XV-CIP-103's old Template Item ("Supply Valve") appears red — incompatible because the state changed but the item is shared with EM-CIP-02 |
Type a new Template Item name (e.g., "Supply Valve Closed") |
|
EM-CIP-02 |
The removed item appears as Excluded |
Leave as-is to unlink, or reassign to restore |
|
EM-WFI-01 |
New item XV-WFI-201 has no matching Template Item |
Type a new Template Item name (e.g., "WFI Inlet Valve") |
|
EM-SIP-01 |
New Configuration makes it incompatible with its old Template |
A new Template and Template Items are auto-suggested |
Uncheck any EMs you don't want to import.
4. Import & Verify
Click Import. Then verify in the Module Data window or the Equipment Module Ribbon that:
-
State values were correctly updated
-
New Template Items were created
-
Removed items were unlinked
-
New Configurations appear in the Template
:link: Related Pages
-
Export Equipment Modules to Excel — the export that produces the import file
-
Equipment Modules — the data type
-
Engineering Items — rows in the import
-
States — cell values
-
Module Data — where to verify results
-
Equipment Module Ribbon — alternative verification view
-
Export / Import Module Data — parent page for all module data exchange features