Creating a Custom Classification

[jessica_smith]

Custom classifications are a great way to organize asset data based on the needs of the project.

Key Points to Remember

• Only files with the file extension .xlsx are accepted for uploading into Autodesk Tandem.
• It is best not to deviate away from the downloaded format to ensure that it is (re-)uploaded successfully.
• The default classification system in Tandem is MasterFormat
• The asset code, when using letters, is case sensitive

There are three columns needed in the .xlsx file, and all of them must be filled out correctly, or the row will not upload to Tandem. When filling out the columns the code, and the level columns tell Tandem how the custom classification system should be structured.

To start:

1. Open the Manage Page, and then the Classifications tab
2. Select a classification system from the dropdown and click download.
3. Open the file from the downloads folder
4. Fill out the Code, Description, and Level
   When filling out the rows and columns, the most important part is ensuring that the code and level are correct. Together, these two columns create the structure that Tandem uses to create the Classification code hierarchy.
   

   1. Code - This can be any combination of letters and numbers. A code assigned level 1 will be at the top of the hierarchy. Any code listed after that and given a level greater than 1 will be considered nested in the hierarchy. Example pictured below

   2. Description - This can be any combination of letters and numbers. This should be indicative of the assets that belong to the classification.

   3. Level - This is the hierarchy in which classification codes are nested. This column should always be a whole number.
      See the simple example below of MEP and Doors outlines in Excel and what that looks like uploaded to Tandem.

5. Save the file as a .xlsx file

The classification file should be completed. See Working with Custom Classification Systems how to upload and update existing custom classification systems.

[jessica_smith]

For the most recent info on classification systems, please visit Tandem's Classifications page on Autodesk Knowledge Network.

[GavinCheetham]

I'm looking to upload a custom classification, specifically from VBIS – Virtual Buildings Information System.

When I try to upload to Tandem as a new classification, I receive the error message: "Conflicting code at row..."

On further review, the error relates to the system's design to read each subset level of a classification code based on 2-character subsets. When a code with a 3rd character that matches the first 2 characters of a previous code is encountered, the system interprets it as a duplicate, hence the error.
I've attached a partial version of the classification system in question, with one conflicting row. But there are many more in the full classification system.