How Do I Import a Sheet in Revit?

Importing a sheet in Revit typically refers to transferring sheets, along with their associated views and schedules, from one existing Revit project to another. This process is efficiently managed using the "Insert Views from File" command, allowing you to bring in perfectly composed sheets and their content.

Understanding Sheet Transfer in Revit

Unlike importing external file formats like CAD drawings, transferring sheets in Revit involves migrating specific elements from one native Revit project (.RVT file) to another. When you "import" a sheet using this method, you're essentially bringing over:

The Sheet Itself: Including its title block, parameters, and layout.
Placed Views: All views (e.g., floor plans, sections, elevations, 3D views) that are placed on the selected sheets will also be transferred.
Placed Schedules/Legends: Any schedules or legends placed on the sheets will also be included.
Associated View Settings: The view templates, visibility/graphic overrides, and other settings of the transferred views.

This method is crucial for maintaining consistency across projects, leveraging standard sheet sets, or consolidating project phases.

Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Sheets in Revit

Follow these steps to successfully transfer sheets from one Revit project to another:

1. Prepare Your Projects

Before initiating the transfer, it's beneficial to understand the content you're moving:

Open the Source Model (Original Model): Briefly open the Revit project that contains the sheets you wish to transfer. Familiarize yourself with the sheet numbers, names, and the views placed on them. This helps in making accurate selections later.
Open the Target Model (New Model): Close the source model, and then open the Revit project into which you want to transfer the sheets. This will be your active project for the import process.

2. Execute the "Insert Views from File" Command

With your target project open:

Navigate to the Insert tab on the Revit ribbon.
In the Insert from File panel, click on the Insert Views from File dropdown.
Select Insert Views from File.
- Tip: This command is specifically designed for bringing views, sheets, and schedules from another Revit project.
A dialog box will appear, prompting you to Select File. Browse to and select the Revit project file (.RVT) that contains the sheets you want to import (your source model), and click Open.
Revit will process the selected file and display the Insert Views dialog. This dialog lists all available views, sheets, and schedules from the source project.
In the Insert Views dialog, locate the Sheets category. Select the specific sheets you wish to import by checking the box next to their names.
- When you select a sheet, any views or schedules placed on that sheet will automatically be selected for transfer as well. You can review the associated views under their respective categories if needed.
Once you've made your selections, click OK.

Revit will now transfer the selected sheets and their associated content into your active project. You can find the newly imported sheets listed under the "Sheets (All)" category in your Project Browser.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

To ensure a smooth sheet transfer, keep the following in mind:

Duplicate Naming/Numbering:
- If a sheet number or view name already exists in your target project, Revit will typically add a suffix (e.g., "-Copy 1") to the transferred element to avoid conflicts.
- You may need to manually rename or renumber these elements after import to fit your project's standards.
View Templates: Views often come with view templates applied. These templates will be transferred along with the views, potentially adding new view templates to your target project if they don't already exist.
Project Standards: The "Insert Views from File" command primarily transfers sheets and views. It does not transfer all project standards (like text styles, line styles, object styles, etc.) that aren't directly part of the transferred views. For a full transfer of project settings, consider using Manage > Transfer Project Standards.
Worksharing: In a workshared environment, ensure you have appropriate permissions and create a local copy before making significant changes like importing sheets. Synchronize with Central after the transfer is complete.
File Versions: Ensure both the source and target Revit projects are in compatible Revit versions. Transferring from a newer version to an older one is generally not possible.
Unplaced Views: The command can also transfer unplaced views, but the primary focus for "sheets" is on views already placed on sheets in the source file.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Potential Cause	Solution
Sheets don't appear in the list.	File corruption, incorrect Revit version, or no sheets in source.	Ensure the source file is not corrupted and is in a compatible Revit version. Verify that the source project actually contains the sheets you intend to transfer.
Views on transferred sheets are empty.	Views were not properly linked/placed on sheets in the source.	Double-check the source project to ensure the views were correctly placed on the sheets before the transfer. The command only transfers views as they appear on sheets in the source.
Excessive duplicate names after import.	Many elements (views, legends) shared names with target project.	Before importing, consider renaming elements in the source project or establishing a naming convention for transferred items. Alternatively, manually rename them in the target project after import.
"Revit could not complete external command."	Corrupted source file, or other software conflicts.	Try auditing the source file (`File > Open > Project > Audit`). Ensure Revit is updated to the latest build. If the issue persists, try transferring elements in smaller batches or from a backup of the source file. For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to Autodesk Revit Help.

By leveraging the "Insert Views from File" command, you can efficiently manage and standardize your documentation across various Revit projects, ensuring consistency and saving significant time.