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Batch Convert CAD/BIM Files to XLSX/DAE with Validation and Reporting

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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

CAD2DATA: Batch Converter (Revit/IFC/DWG/DGN → XLSX/DAE) Batch convert CAD/BIM files to analysis ready XLSX and optional DAE with automatic verification and a clean HTML report. Runs locally via an...

Best for

  • Document Extraction automation workflows
  • Multimodal AI automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.executecommand, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.splitout

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Artem Boiko.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Batch Convert CAD/BIM Files to XLSX/DAE with Validation and Reporting
Workflow name
Batch Convert CAD/BIM Files to XLSX/DAE with Validation and Reporting

CAD2DATA: Batch Converter (Revit/IFC/DWG/DGN → XLSX/DAE)

Batch-convert CAD/BIM files to analysis-ready XLSX and optional DAE with automatic verification and a clean HTML report. Runs locally via RvtExporter.exe and PowerShell on Windows.

Supports configurable export modes — basic (~309 categories), standard (~724), and complete (~1209) — plus optional outputs such as bounding boxes, Revit schedules, and PDF drawings.

What it does

  • Scans a source folder (optionally including subfolders) for .rvt, .ifc, .dwg, or .dgn.
  • For each file, runs: RvtExporter.exe [input] [output.xlsx] [output.dae] [options].
  • Verifies outputs (existence + size) and aggregates results.
  • Generates a summary HTML report and opens it automatically on completion.

Converter options

  • Export modes: basic | standard | complete | custom
  • Flags: bbox (BoundingBox to XLSX), schedule (Revit schedules), sheets2pdf (Sheets → PDF)
  • Disable: -no-xlsx, -no-collada
  • Custom files: [<output file>] and [<category file>] (used with custom)

Examples

  • basic bbox — minimal export + BoundingBox
  • complete schedule sheets2pdf — full export + schedules + PDFs
  • standard -no-collada — XLSX only (skip DAE)

Prerequisites

  • Windows host (PowerShell + local executable).
  • DDC Revit toolkit installed:
    C:\DDC_Converter_Revit\datadrivenlibs\RvtExporter.exe
  • Read access to the source folder and write access to the output folder.

How to use

  1. Import this JSON workflow into n8n.
  2. Open Set Configuration Parameters and set:
    • converter_path: C:\DDC_Converter_Revit\datadrivenlibs\RvtExporter.exe
    • source_folder: folder with your projects
    • output_folder: folder for results
    • include_subfolders: true / false
    • file_extension: .rvt | .ifc | .dwg | .dgn
    • options: see Converter options
  3. Run Manual Trigger.
  4. The workflow discovers files → runs conversions → verifies outputs → writes and opens the HTML report.

Outputs

  • *_ext.xlsx — tabular data per input file.
  • *_ext.dae — lightweight 3D (if not disabled with -no-collada).
  • CAD_Conversion_Report_YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS.html — summary with:
    • success rate and progress
    • per-file and total processing time
    • input/output sizes and file paths

Notes & tips

  • Uses PowerShell Get-ChildItem for discovery and cmd /c start to open the report.
  • With -no-collada, success/verification is XLSX-only (DAE is skipped).
  • Prefer ASCII paths and ensure write permissions in the output folder.

Categories

Data Extraction · Files & Storage · ETL · CAD/BIM

Tags

cad-bim, revit, ifc, dwg, dgn, converter, batch, xlsx, dae, qto

Author

DataDrivenConstruction.io

Author

DataDrivenConstruction.io [email protected]

Consulting and Training

We work with leading construction, engineering, consulting agencies and technology firms around the world to help them implement open data principles, automate CAD/BIM processing and build robust ETL pipelines.

If you would like to test this solution with your own data, or are interested in adapting the workflow to real project tasks, feel free to contact us.

Docs & Issues:
Full Readme on GitHub

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Sticky Note23

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - Sticky Note25

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 3 - Sticky Note28

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 4 - Sticky Note29

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 5 - Sticky Note31

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 6 - Sticky Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 7 - Manual Trigger

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger - manualTrigger
Config choices
Version 1

Block 8 - Capture Pipeline Start Time1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 9 - Merge Pipeline Start with Config1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3

Block 10 - Set Configuration Parameters1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 11 - Find CAD Files1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeCommand - executeCommand
Config choices
Version 1

Block 12 - Merge Config with Search Results1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3

Block 13 - Process File List1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 14 - Check if Files Exist1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2

Block 15 - Split Files for Processing1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.splitOut - splitOut
Config choices
Version 1

Block 16 - Create Output Directory1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeCommand - executeCommand
Config choices
Version 1

Block 17 - Merge File Data1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3

Block 18 - Capture Start Time1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 19 - Small Delay

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.wait - wait
Config choices
Version 1

Block 20 - Execute Conversion1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeCommand - executeCommand
Config choices
Version 1

Block 21 - Calculate Conversion Time1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 22 - Merge Data Before Verification1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3

Block 23 - Verify Output Files and Get Sizes1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeCommand - executeCommand
Config choices
Version 1

Block 24 - Complete File Verification1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Showing the first 24 of 41 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Batch Convert CAD/BIM Files to XLSX/DAE with Validation and Reporting
Complexity advanced
Nodes 41
Categories Document Extraction, Multimodal AI
Author Artem Boiko
Published 20 Aug 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/7650/7650.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Batch Convert CAD/BIM Files to XLSX/DAE with Validation and Reporting do?

CAD2DATA: Batch Converter (Revit/IFC/DWG/DGN → XLSX/DAE) Batch convert CAD/BIM files to analysis ready XLSX and optional DAE with automatic verification and a clean HTML report. Runs locally via an...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Document Extraction, Multimodal AI use case.