Export and Import of Excel File

Export project to Excel file to take advantage of its extensive built-in functions to perform analysis, calculations and generate charts to read the models from a different perspective. Besides, you can update the exported Excel file and import it back to synchronize the changes to models.

Visual Paradigm modeling tools provide functionalities to let you perform modeling efficiently and easily, while Excel is well-known for its powerful calculation and analysis capabilities. Wouldn't it be nice if you could get the advantage of both tools?

The import and export Excel file features are introduced VP Suite 3.3 SP1. Support diagram types are:

• Class Diagram
• State Machine Diagram
• Component Diagram
• Deployment Diagram
• Package Diagram
• Requirement Diagram
• Entity Relationship Diagram
• ORM Diagram

Let's see how you can make use of these features to understand and manipulate the models in a brand new way.

Exporting an Excel File

1.	Select menu File > Export > Excel....
2.	The Export Excel dialog box appears.
3.	Enter the Excel file path in Output Path, and select an option in Export Style. We will try Model type per sheet this time.
4.	Select diagrams in Diagrams pane, and select model types in Model Types pane. Click Export to start exporting.
5.	Let's open the exported file. Since we selected the model type per sheet option, data is organized in each sheet by model type.
6.	You can then type some formulae to perform calculations. For example, the picture below shows a formula that calculates the sum of classes whose name has "controller" in it.

Importing an Excel File

1.	We can modify the data and then import it back to modeling tool to update the models. For example, change class name from "Writer" to "Author".
	Note: If you want to insert some extra content to the exported Excel file instead of modifying just model properties, make sure it won't disrupt the exported content. Otherwise, the file may not be able to import back to the source project. To avoid disrupting the exported data, enter in a far away cell. The best position would be at least the fifth row below the last content.
2.	Save the file, and then open the Visual Paradigm tool. Select menu File > Import > Excel....
3.	The Import dialog box shows what changes will be made to the models. Click OK to confirm.
4.	The class name is updated.

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