Light fixture type catalog - include ies files to make easily editable

[HVAC-Novice]

I don't do anything with type catalogs, but thought for light fixtures they may be useful since i often update data inc. ies files (for new type of fixture, or manufacturer improved the LED).

I practiced to create a type catalog with a simple column and was able to import the txt file into Excel and it looked as expected (i have as many rows as the family has types etc.). So far so good and now on to the light fixture.

I basically took a simple light fixture, and also created the txt file (attached). but when importing into Excel it creates twice the number of rows. and a lot of data just use Chinese characters

I re-did it a few times and tried to follow the same steps as for the column. but light fixture families seem to be different. 

Somewhere I read there also is the option to instead of having the ies data in the txt file, to just enter the ies file name and have that ies file in the same flder as the txt file. this would be a great help as it would not require me to manually point to each ies file in the family editor. 

I tried to follow this guide for ies files, but my above failure prevented me from doing this and it also doesn't seem to explain how to just point to an ies-file. 

Could someone tell me where I went wrong? 

[HVAC-Novice]

If I already make the effort to include all ies files within the Revit family editor, I wouldn't really save much. and the ies file itself becomes all mangled up. I don't think a txt file can really have a nested ies file (I realize an ies file can be a txt file). I'm starting to be convinced what I want isn't possible (at least not easily). Out of all the categories, Light fixtures are the only ones requiring a separate file. So they likely won't bother with making it possible for type catalogs. 

Type catalogs seem to be made for simpler families. Even for different categories, I'm not entirely convinced the original intent was to create new types in Excel. 

[fabiosato]

Hello,

In Revit.ini file is possible to map the IES file folder.

But all users must use the same file.

[HVAC-Novice]

and I also would have to edit the ini with every Revit update. 

I think the solution will be more complex than the original problem. I'll just edit in the family editor.