BOM template
BOM CSV template: 10 columns, one rule each
Two files: the ten-column BOM that BOMParser writes, and the four-column generic upload layout. Use them as the target when you retype a BOM yourself, or as the shape to map an ERP import to.
Definition
What the template is
The BOM template is the layout of the CSV that BOMParser produces: one row per BOM line, ten columns, designators expanded. The example rows in the download were produced by the converter itself, so they follow its rules.
line,qty,ref_des,part_number,manufacturer,mpn,description,footprint,dnp,notes 1,4,"C1,C2,C3,C4",CAP-0001,Murata,GRM155R71C104KA88D,CAP CER 0.1UF 16V X7R 0402,C_0402,N,example row: delete or overwrite 2,2,"R1,R2",RES-0001,Vishay,CRCW040210K0FKED,RES 10K 1% 1/16W 0402,R_0402,N, 3,1,R3,RES-0006,Vishay,CRCW04020000Z0ED,RES 0 OHM JUMPER 0402,R_0402,Y,DNP on rev A
Columns
Column definitions
| Column | Fill it | Holds | Example | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| line | always | Item number of the BOM line | 12 | As printed in the BOM. A running number when the source has no item column. |
| qty | always | Quantity per board | 4 | A number. When ref_des is filled, it must equal the number of designators. |
| ref_des | if the part is placed | Reference designators of the line | "R1,R2,R5,R6" | Expanded and comma-separated in one cell, quoted when it holds more than one. No ranges. |
| part_number | if you have one | Your internal part number | RES-0001 | Free text. |
| manufacturer | recommended | Maker of the part | Vishay | Free text. |
| mpn | for ordering | Manufacturer part number | CRCW040210K0FKED | As printed. Never corrected by BOMParser. |
| description | optional | Value and description | RES 10K 1% 0402 | Free text. A separate Value column is joined to it. |
| footprint | optional | Package or footprint | R_0402 | Free text. |
| dnp | always | Do not populate flag | N | Y = do not populate, N = populate. DNP lines are left out of part totals. |
| notes | optional | Remarks and alternate sources | alt: Yageo RC0402FR-0710KL | Alternate sources are written as "alt: maker mpn". |
Generic upload layout
Four columns for populated lines that have an MPN and a quantity. It is a generic layout, not any distributor's template.
| Column | Holds | Format |
|---|---|---|
| qty | Quantity per board | Number |
| mpn | Manufacturer part number | As printed |
| manufacturer | Maker of the part | Free text |
| ref_des | Reference designators | Expanded, comma-separated, quoted |
Steps
Filling the template
Download and open it
Open bom-template.csv in a spreadsheet. Delete or overwrite the three example rows.
One row per BOM line
Put the item number in line and the per-board quantity in qty. Parts with the same MPN can share a line; list all their designators.
Expand the designators
Write R5,R6,R7,R8 instead of R5-R8, in ref_des, inside one quoted cell.
Prove the count
In a spare column use =IF(C2="",0,LEN(C2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(C2,",",""))+1) and compare it with qty. Mark unpopulated parts Y in dnp.
Comparison
Template against ad-hoc sheets and PDF-to-Excel output
| What you need | Re-typing by hand | Generic PDF-to-Excel | BOMParser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Column names | Whatever you pick. | Copied from the PDF. | Ten fixed names, fixed order. |
| Designators | Ranges or lists, as typed. | One text cell, as printed. | Expanded list in one quoted cell; count must equal qty. |
| DNP | A colour or a word. | Lost, or left in a notes cell. | A dnp column holding Y or N. |
| Alternate sources | Extra rows or a comment. | Extra rows. | Written into notes as "alt: maker mpn". |
| Mapping effort | Per customer. | Per PDF layout. | Once. |
"Generic PDF-to-Excel" means tools that copy table cells as printed and know nothing about BOMs. Individual products differ.
FAQ
BOM template questions
Which columns are required?
None is enforced. A usable row needs qty and either an MPN or a part number. ref_des is what lets the quantity be checked, so fill it for every part that is placed on the board.
How do I write designator ranges?
Do not. Write R5,R6,R7,R8, not R5-R8. The template expects the expanded list so that the count is visible and checkable. BOMParser expands ranges itself when it reads a PDF.
How do I count designators in Excel?
With ref_des in column C and qty in column B, put =IF(C2="",0,LEN(C2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(C2,",",""))+1) in a spare column. It counts the comma-separated entries. It should equal B2 on every line that lists designators.
What do I put in the dnp column?
Y for a part that stays unpopulated, N for a part that is placed. Quantities on Y lines are left out of part totals. Keep the line in the file so the next revision still has it.
Can I add my own columns?
Add them to the right of notes. BOMParser's own output has exactly the ten columns in this order. Most importers that map by header name ignore extra columns, but check yours.
Why is the column order fixed?
A fixed order lets you build the import mapping once. Every CSV BOMParser writes has the same ten columns, whatever the source PDF called its headers.
Which delimiter and encoding should I use?
Comma-delimited, UTF-8, with any cell that contains a comma or a quote wrapped in double quotes. A cell that holds more than one designator contains commas, so it is quoted.
Is the upload template a distributor's format?
No. It is a generic four-column layout: qty, mpn, manufacturer, ref_des. Distributor BOM tools have their own column names, usually with a mapping step on import.
Can I upload the filled template to BOMParser to check it?
No. BOMParser reads PDFs, not CSV files. The template is for typing a BOM by hand or for building an import mapping. To check a CSV yourself, use the counting formula above.
How do I record an alternate source?
Put it in notes as alt: followed by the maker and part number. BOMParser writes alternate-source rows from a PDF the same way.
Have the BOM as a PDF?
BOMParser writes this layout from the PDF and checks the count for you.