Format and clean a BOM

(This topic is continued from the previous topic in the series.)

When you create a new part or assembly in FactoryLogix NPI, the BOM Formatting page of the wizard lets you process complex BOM information into a more usable and organized format. The main goal of BOM cleaning is to define the fields (columns) to import from the BOM and remove unnecessary information to make the BOM more readable before you publish it.

FactoryLogix has powerful tools to help you clean BOM files of non-essential information and add formatting to make the BOM easier to read and use. When you format one type of BOM, FactoryLogix has the ability to "remember" the cleaning process—that cleaning process can be applied automatically in the future for similar BOM files, saving you valuable time and effort.

Important

Before making BOM formatting changes, we recommend you review the sub-topics in this section to understand the BOM cleaning tools, row and column editing options, and how the Action Recorder records and saves your BOM editing changes for future reuse.

BOM cleaning tools and editing options

There are multiple tools and editing options available to help you format and clean up imported BOM data.

Tip

You can use the toolbar buttons or right-click rows and columns to access editing options.
Drag between two column headers to make a column wider or narrower.
Standard Cut, Copy, and Paste editing commands are available for selected cells when you right-click a cell (you can undo these actions using Ctrl+Z).

Edit rows

Editing rows	Description

Editing rows

Description

Filter

Removes all rows that contain the specified text from the selected cell in a column.

Filter Matching Options specify the position of the filter text within the search:

Starts With - If the specified filter text appears at the beginning of a cell, the entire row is removed
Contains - If the specified filter text appears anywhere within a cell in the selected column, the entire row is removed
Ends With - If the specified filter text appears at the end of a cell, the entire row is removed

Map Row to Column Headers

Maps the row of headers at the top of the BOM that define the data in each column to informational rows to define each column in the BOM.

Select the row containing the informational headers (if it exists), then select Map Row to Column Headers on the toolbar.
FactoryLogix analyzes the row and automatically determines the contents of the column.

The results are shown in the Map Column Headers dialog.
If necessary, modify the information further if desired using the Column Definition drop-downs to map different or additional column headers.

Note

You can also modify individual column definitions on the BOM Formatting page by right-clicking a column header and selecting a new column definition from the menu.

(Optional) Right-click a column header to display commands for sorting, filtering, grouping, and organizing column data.

Sort Ascending - Sorts all column data in A-Z order.
Sort Descending - Sorts all column data in Z-A order.
Clear Sorting - Removes all sorting from column data and returns it to its original order.
Group by This Column - Groups data by the selected column.
Show Group Panel - Displays the message "Drag a column header here to group by that column". You can drag any column header onto the message to group by that column. When you see a Red X, the grouping is performed.
Hide Group Panel - Hides the grouping panel and message at the top of the dialog.
Show Column Chooser - Displays a dialog to show you which column is currently selected for grouping.
Best Fit - Fits selected column data to an ideal width.
Best Fit (all columns) - Fits all column data to an ideal width.
Filter Editor - Displays a dialog where you can specify filtering criteria for BOM data.
Show Search Panel - Displays the Search bar so you can search the selected column for specific data.

When you are satisfied with the BOM column data, select OK to return to the BOM Formatting page.

Delete Rows

Deletes selected rows of data from the BOM.

Edit columns

Editing columns	Description

Editing columns	Description
Add Text	Adds a prefix or suffix to the text in a selected column. Empty cells in the column will also contain the prefix or suffix automatically. Select Add Text, enter the desired text, then specify the position of the new text (Before or After the selected cell).
Fill Down	In some cases, BOM line items span multiple rows, but not every column's data is repeated in each row. Select a column, then select Fill Down. Any blank cell is filled with the data from above.
Delete Column	Removes a selected column from the imported BOM.
Merge	Merges two or more selected columns of data into a single column. You can also remove the original columns after the merge.
Split	Divides a single selected column into two or more columns and splits the column at the selected characters. You can also remove the original columns after the split.
Replace	Searches for and replaces the specified text from the selected cell to all the cells in the column that contain the specified text. You can match whole words only and/or match replacement text by case.
Create IPN Column	Allows you to create a new column from the selected column. The data in the new column may be appended with a prefix or suffix.
Merge Existing References	Allows you to merge the references from an existing BOM with the imported BOM (primarily used for non-PCB assemblies).

Use the Action Recorder

During the BOM cleaning process, each change you make to the BOM is tracked and recorded automatically in the Action Recorder at the bottom of the BOM Formatting page. You can repeat previous actions on selected rows or columns using the commands in the Action Recorder (see the following table).

Command	Description

Command	Description
Apply	Applies the selected action to a selected row or column of the BOM. To apply a previously-saved recording to a BOM, select it from the Saved Recordings drop-down, then select Apply.
Save	Saves the current BOM cleaning actions as a recording (.abt file) for use with other BOMs. When you finish cleaning a BOM, select the Save* button on the Action Recorder toolbar, enter a name and location for the template file when prompted, then select Save. You can save as many recordings as you need for different BOM formats.
Import	Opens a dialog where you can browse to and select a recording (*.abt file) to import and use to clean the current BOM. When you import a recording file, it displays in the Saved Recordings drop-down.
Export	Exports the current recording to a selected folder.
Delete	Deletes the current BOM cleaning recording.
Delete Action	Deletes the selected action from the Action Recorder. Select the arrow to the right of the Delete Action command (or drag to make the window wider) to display additional commands: Undo Action - Reverses the selected action in the Action Recorder. Redo Action - Repeats the selected action in the Action Recorder. Join - Displays a dialog where you can join columns from a selected BOM with the current BOM.