Problem: Creating elements and batch updating multiple parameters across a Revit model is time-consuming and prone to errors, particularly when managing project setup or performing bulk updates to elements.
Solution: Using Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Automation, you can efficiently import data from an external Excel file into Revit. The “IBL-Import_to_RVT” script automates this process, allowing you to batch edit project parameters, create elements, and organize views and sheets—all without manual intervention.
Here is the workflow in steps:
Prepare your Revit Model
Prepare the Excel File for Import
Run the Ideate Automation Script
Review the Results
Watch the Video Tutorial
Before making bulk edits, ensure your Revit model is set up correctly:
1. Use an out-of-the-box Revit template or your standard office template.
2. Ensure elevation disciplines are set to Coordination to support placing empty views on sheets during the automated process.
3. No pre-existing sheets are required—this workflow will create them automatically.
Your Excel file should be structured to define and update key Revit elements:
1. Set up Levels – Define levels in your project.
2. Create Worksets – Add worksets as needed.
3. Generate a Sheet List – Match the Sheet Name to the corresponding View Name that will be created using formulas in Excel.
4. Assign Title Blocks – Specify the correct title block families for the new sheets.
5. Create Floor Plans – Define the Family Type, View Name, and use Excel formulas to concatenate level names and sub-disciplines.
6. Define Viewport Placement – Specify viewport locations using coordinate values.
1. Launch Ideate Automation from your desktop or Windows search.
2. Select Create to access the list of available scripts.
3. In Library Folders under Ideate Software Scripts, navigate to the 07 Data Management folder.
4. Choose IBL-Import_to_RVT from the list and click Next.
5. The task performs the task with all Worksets closed, making the process highly efficient.
6. Select the Import Excel file and ensure all required data is properly mapped.
7. Ensure the Ideate BIMLink link definitions are placed in order of import. Example: Levels → Worksets → Sheets → Views → Viewports.
8. Click Next then Run to start the automated import process.
9. Once the import is successful, the task syncs changes to the main model and adds a comment.
1. The script will launch the correct Revit version and begin the import process.
2. A BIMLink Import Message CSV file will be saved in the designated location, logging any errors or skipped elements.
3. Once complete, open your Revit model to review:
o Newly created Levels, Worksets, Sheets and Views.
o Viewport placements match the Excel coordinates, ensuring correct view names, sheet names, and level/sub-discipline suffixes, as defined in the Excel sheet.
By leveraging Ideate BIMLink and Ideate Automation, you can significantly reduce the manual effort required for bulk creating elements and updating parameters, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in your Revit projects. In fact, the project setup process demonstrated here took just one minute to complete—an incredible time savings compared to manual workflows.