Database import · Brightway Excel

Import Brightway Excel databases

Load the .xlsx inventory convention used by Brightway bw2io ExcelImporter and turn its activity blocks and exchange tables into a queryable VoLCA database.

What is Brightway Excel?

Brightway Excel is the .xlsx inventory convention produced and consumed by Brightway's bw2io ExcelImporter. Worksheets contain activity metadata blocks followed by labelled exchange tables. It is a Brightway tool convention, not a general LCA exchange standard.

Explore VoLCA See all import formats

Files VoLCA accepts

  • A .xlsx workbook following the format produced and consumed by Brightway bw2io ExcelImporter.
  • One or more valid worksheets containing Database or Activity blocks and labelled exchange tables.

VoLCA identifies the workbook as .xlsx from its OOXML contents, then reads exchange columns by their labels rather than by a fixed position.

What is imported

  • activity metadata and reference products
  • production, technosphere, and biosphere exchanges
  • units, locations, categories, and database names
  • multiple valid worksheets from the same workbook

Upload once, inspect through any VoLCA interface

The upload endpoint detects the database format, stages the source, and makes it available to load. The same imported database can then be used from the UI, HTTP API, Python client, CLI, or MCP endpoint.

CLI

Upload the local file

volca --config volca.toml database upload ./database-brightway.xlsx \
  --name "my-database"

The engine accepts ZIP, 7z, tar.gz, tar.xz, XML, CSV, and supported .xlsx database inputs, with the exact choice depending on the source format.

Python

Use the same upload endpoint

from volca import Client

client = Client("http://localhost:8080")
client.upload_database("database-brightway.xlsx", name="my-database")

Replace the local URL with the address of your VoLCA server and provide credentials when required.

Database CLI reference Python client guide HTTP API guide

Interpretation boundaries

  • Brightway Excel is an .xlsx convention used by Brightway tools, not a general exchange standard.
  • Worksheets with a blank first cell are skipped and reported; use Database or Activity in the first cell of a data sheet.
  • The workbook imports inventory data, not a compatible LCIA method. Method coverage must be established separately.

Learn how to audit method-to-flow coverage after import →

Other database import formats

Database import

ILCD

Import an ILCD process database from an archive containing processes, flows, flow properties, and unit groups.

Database import

EcoSpold 2

Import EcoSpold 2 .spold datasets for search, exchange inspection, supply-chain tracing, and LCA calculation.

Database import

EcoSpold 1

Import EcoSpold 1 XML datasets and inspect activities, exchanges, inventories, links, and calculation results.

Database import

SimaPro CSV

Import a SimaPro CSV database export for fast search, activity inspection, inventories, impacts, and automation.