How to Create an IDS File from Excel for Free
Use BIMCamel's spreadsheet template to quickly create buildingSMART IDS specification files from Excel or Google Sheets — no XML knowledge required.
Writing IDS (Information Delivery Specification) files by hand means dealing with complex XML. If you already have your requirements in a spreadsheet, BIMCamel lets you turn that spreadsheet into a valid IDS file in a few clicks — completely free, no sign-up required.
What is an IDS file?
An IDS file is a buildingSMART standard that defines what data an IFC model must contain. For example: "All IfcWall elements must have a FireRating property in Pset_WallCommon." IDS files are used to validate models automatically before submission.
Step-by-step: Excel to IDS
- Open the IDS Maker tool in BIMCamel.
- Click Download Template — this downloads a CSV file that opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc.
- Fill in one row per specification. Each row defines:
- Specification Name — a human-readable label (e.g. "Walls must have fire rating").
- IFC Version — IFC2X3, IFC4, or IFC4X3_ADD2.
- Applicability: IFC Class — which element type the rule targets (e.g. IfcWall, IfcDoor).
- Requirement Type — what kind of check: property, attribute, classification, or material.
- Property Set / Property Name — which property must be present (e.g. Pset_WallCommon / FireRating).
- The template includes example rows to show you the exact format.
- Save the file as CSV (File → Save As → CSV in Excel, or File → Download → CSV in Google Sheets).
- Back in BIMCamel, click Import Template and select your CSV file.
- All your specifications appear in the editor. You can fine-tune any of them — add extra facets, change cardinality, set value constraints.
- Click Download .ids to get your finished IDS file.
Tips for filling the template
- Each row becomes one specification with one applicability facet (entity) and one requirement facet.
- For property requirements, fill in the "Property Set" and "Property Name" columns. Leave "Property Value" blank for a presence check.
- For classification requirements, set "Requirement Type" to "classification" and fill the "Classification System" column (e.g. Uniclass).
- For attribute requirements, set "Requirement Type" to "attribute" and fill "Attribute Name" (e.g. Name, Description).
- You can add more complex rules (multiple facets, regex patterns, enumerations) in the visual editor after import.
Using your IDS file
Once you have your .ids file, use the Validate Model tool to check any IFC model against it. Upload your IFC file, attach the IDS, and click Run — BIMCamel checks every rule and generates a detailed report showing which specifications passed, failed, or had no matching elements.
This workflow lets you manage your project's data requirements in a familiar spreadsheet format, then convert them to the industry-standard IDS format with zero XML editing.