Database export · SimaPro CSV
Export SimaPro CSV databases
Save a loaded LCA database as structured SimaPro CSV with process sections, products, and exchange amounts. Choose this destination when your next workflow needs SimaPro CSV.
What is SimaPro CSV?
SimaPro CSV is a structured text format for LCA databases, not a generic table of results. It uses a header and named process, product, and exchange sections.
What you get
One semicolon-separated CSV file with SimaPro headers, dot decimal separators, and Process to End blocks.
Export value: simapro
Start with a loaded database
Import and load your source database on a running VoLCA server first. Uploading a file alone is not enough. Replace my-database with the loaded database name.
Review load warnings and supplier dependencies before exporting. Only export and share data your license allows you to use.
Choose an import path →Save the database to a file
These CLI and Python examples address your running server. Smoke checks used VoLCA v0.12.0 and pyvolca 0.11.0 with a synthetic single-product database. All five CLI file-generation operations completed. openpyxl exposed an OOXML manifest defect in the v0.12.0 Brightway file; merged PR #396 adds the missing package parts, and the resulting workbook opened successfully with openpyxl. Other formats were not import-tested in receiving applications. File generation does not establish metadata fidelity, supplier-link fidelity, or acceptance by another application.
CLI
volca --config volca.toml --url http://localhost:8080 database export my-database \
--format simapro --out database-simapro.csvUse your existing volca.toml configuration and credentials. Replace the local URL with your server address.
Python
from volca import Client
client = Client("http://localhost:8080")
client.export_to_file("simapro", "database-simapro.csv",
db_name="my-database")Install pyvolca, replace the local server URL, and supply credentials when required. Choose a new output filename to avoid replacing an existing file.
What the writer carries forward
The writer carries activities, products, units, resolved exchange amounts, and the metadata supported by its SimaPro profile.
Exports are written from VoLCA's loaded data model. They are not copies of the original source files.
Limits to check before using the file
Parameters and formulas are flattened to resolved numbers. Classifications other than Category and Category type are not emitted. Emissions with an unspecified medium are written as emissions to air, which can affect characterization. Review these changes before using the export for impact assessment.
Review export warnings and errors. A file being written does not establish target-software compatibility, successful supplier linking, or equivalent LCIA results. Import and verify a compatible LCIA method separately.
Read the writer source →Frequently asked questions
Are formulas retained in SimaPro CSV exports?
No. The writer exports resolved numeric amounts rather than the original parameter definitions and exchange formulas. Keep the original source if you need to edit those formulas later.