> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/workflows/mechanical-planning/data-view.md).

# Data view

Create, edit, import, and export mechanical planning data.

The Data view is a tabular interface for creating and editing spaces, zones, and sources. Use it when you want to enter the space program directly without drawing, or alongside the Canvas view.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Data view grids** The Data view showing the Spaces / Zones / Sources grids with a few rows, the toolbar actions (Add Space, Add Zone, Add Source, Import), and a selected row with the right detail panel open.

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## Activating Data view

Select **Data** in the view switcher in the top nav bar. The grids list all spaces, zones, and sources on the project.

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## Columns

A flat, indented tree grid — Source → Zone → Space — shown through indentation, not nested rows. Column units appear in the header.

| Column               | Unit       | Editable on | Notes                                                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------- | ---------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name                 | —          | All levels  | Tree-indented by Source → Zone → Space                                                                                                                        |
| Type                 | —          | All levels  | Space Type (spaces); Zone Equipment Type — VAV Box or Fan Powered Box (zones); Source Equipment Type (sources). Shows "(not set)" when empty.                 |
| Floor Area           | ft²        | Space rows  | Aggregated upward from spaces; editable directly only for spaces not drawn on a floor plan                                                                    |
| Airflow Density      | CFM/ft²    | Space rows  | Pre-filled from the space type default and editable — see [Overriding a default](#overriding-a-default)                                                       |
| Airflow              | CFM        | Calculated  | Rollup from assigned spaces; flagged when the source's diversity factor is applied                                                                            |
| Cooling Load Density | ft²/Ton    | Space rows  | Pre-filled from the basis of design and editable                                                                                                              |
| Cooling Load         | Tons       | Calculated  | Space, zone, and source rows — see [Loads and Densities](/workflows/mechanical-planning/loads-and-densities.md)                                               |
| Heating Load Density | BTU/h\*ft² | Space rows  | Pre-filled from the basis of design and editable                                                                                                              |
| Heating Load         | MBH        | Calculated  | Space, zone, and source rows                                                                                                                                  |
| Nominal Size         | Tons       | Source rows | The equipment size you select. Pick from the catalog or enter your own — see [Sources and Equipment](/workflows/mechanical-planning/sources-and-equipment.md) |

Airflow Density, Cooling Load Density, and Heating Load Density also appear on zone and source rows, aggregated up from the spaces beneath them.

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## Overriding a default

Airflow Density, Cooling Load Density, and Heating Load Density arrive pre-filled from the space type and the project's basis of design. **They are editable** — type over the value on any space row to override it for that space. Overridden cells carry an indicator so you can tell them apart from inherited values.

Clear the cell to drop your override and go back to the inherited default.

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## Creating items

| Action                  | Shortcut   | Description                                 |
| ----------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Add Space               | `S`        | Create a new space row                      |
| Add Zone                | `Z`        | Create a new zone row                       |
| Add Source              | `Y`        | Create a new source row                     |
| Import Spaces From File | `I`        | Bulk-import spaces from a CSV or Excel file |
| Duplicate Selected      | `Ctrl + D` | Duplicate the selected row(s)               |

These actions live on the [action bar](/workflows/workspace/canvas-view.md#the-action-bar) at the bottom of the design environment. Items created in Data view are available in Canvas view (as unplaced spaces) and vice versa.

The create actions follow the discipline: in **Electrical**, Add Branch / Add Distribution / Add Source appear in place of zone/source (see [Electrical Data View](/workflows/electrical-planning/data-view.md)); in **Plumbing**, Add Group and Add Service appear instead (see [Plumbing Data View](/workflows/plumbing-planning/data-view.md)).

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## Editing

Select a row to edit its fields inline. The right panel updates to the full detail pane for the selected item.

Editable fields depend on item type:

* **Space** — name, space type, floor assignment
* **Zone** — name, equipment type and configuration
* **Source** — name, equipment type and configuration

See [Spaces](/workflows/mechanical-planning/spaces.md), [Zones](/workflows/mechanical-planning/zones.md), and [Sources and Equipment](/workflows/mechanical-planning/sources-and-equipment.md) for field-level detail.

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## Importing spaces from CSV or Excel

Import uses a fixed template — there is no column-mapping step.

1. Press `I` (or use the import action). The **Upload Spaces** dialog opens.
2. If you don't have a file yet, select **Download Template** to get `space_template.csv`. Its columns are **Name**, **Space type**, **Area sqft** (example row: `Space 1, Art Classroom, 500`).
3. Fill in your rows, then drag the file in — or browse to it. Excel or CSV, up to 50 MB.
4. Select **Add**.

Strata matches the space types in your file to its own space types. Names that match exactly are used as-is; for the rest, Strata fills in the closest space type it can identify, so a file that uses your own naming still imports. Review the assigned space types afterward and correct any you disagree with. Repeated space names in the file are imported without error.

> ⚠️ **Import overwrites existing spaces.** The dialog warns: *"Import will overwrite all existing space data."* Importing replaces the current space list rather than appending to it. Export or back up first if you need to preserve existing spaces.

Imported spaces load into the Data view (Strata switches you there automatically) as unplaced spaces; place them on the canvas afterward.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Upload Spaces dialog** The Upload Spaces dialog showing the "Import will overwrite all existing space data" warning, the drag-and-drop zone, and the **Download Template** link.

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## Deleting items

Select one or more rows → **Delete Selected** (or press `Delete`). A confirmation appears first.

Deleting a source returns its zones to unassigned. Deleting a zone does not delete its spaces — they return to unassigned.

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## Color coding

Spaces and zones are color-coded by zone/source assignment. Colors are consistent across the Canvas, Data, and Topology views.

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## Related

* [Canvas View](/workflows/workspace/canvas-view.md)
* [Spaces](/workflows/mechanical-planning/spaces.md)
* [Zones](/workflows/mechanical-planning/zones.md)
* [Sources and Equipment](/workflows/mechanical-planning/sources-and-equipment.md)
* [Loads and Densities](/workflows/mechanical-planning/loads-and-densities.md)
* [Keyboard Shortcuts](/reference/reference/keyboard-shortcuts.md)