This article describes how to import a model into DesignWise from Excel files and/or Mind Maps.
Please note that our “AI Guidance” feature enables you to upload text-based documents in a wider variety of formats, accelerating the overall process.
Preparing Files for Import
DesignWise allows you to import all of the types of details you might have in your model. The import feature is straightforward but fairly inflexible.
This importing feature is not as forgiving or flexible as we’d ultimately like it to be. For now, you’ve got to play by its formatting rules, and its got some persnickety ones.
To avoid any formatting complications when importing Excel files, you should “round trip” test models from DesignWise, then into DesignWise.
Export a model (with Value Expansions, Invalid Pairs, Married Pairs, Required Scenarios, Scripts, and Expected Results if you’ll be using them). Make your edits being sure to keep the same file format when you save edits, and import the file back into DesignWise.
We’ll tell you a secret
When we create new large test models from scratch, we don’t usually start in the “Parameters” screen. Instead, we create Mind Maps while we put our thoughts together about possible test inputs to include in our models.
Mind maps are easy to use, visual, quick to modify, easy to get feedback on from others. Also – whether or not it’s actually the case – when we use mind maps to gather our test design thoughts, it tends to make us feel more creative.
The different levels of test inputs are shown here in hierarchical order:
Basic test models only have two levels of test inputs: Parameters and, underneath them, Values. The all-caps levels and the fourth level shown above (for Value Expansions) are purely optional.
Any details you include in Mind Maps and import will go directly into the “Parameters” screen
Parameters and Values (as well as Section Headers and Value Expansion details) can be imported from Mind Maps. Other test model information such as Invalid Pairs, Bound Pairs, Test Cases, Requirements, and Scripting instructions, and Expected Results cannot be represented in Mind Maps or imported from Mind Maps.
Steps to Import a File
The basic steps to import a file are:
- Click “New Test Model.”
- Provide its name
- Select the project.
- Select the file to be imported.
- Click “Create.”
Useful troubleshooting tip: to ensure your Excel file is properly formatted for a trouble-free import, follow these instructions:
- Open the New Test Model dialog based on the images above
- Click “what kind of files?” next to “Optional import file.”
- Read the “Import File Help” pop-up. Optionally download the easy-to-modify template by clicking “this Excel example.”
Using this approach will help keep your file in the format that DesignWise expects it to be. Remember, (a) the only acceptable file format from Excel is .xlsx Workbook, and (b) this feature is still pretty inflexible.
Forced Interactions Import
Lastly, there is a separate import feature on the Forced Interactions screen that allows you to upload data-driven scenarios. Once you navigate to the screen, you should see the icon on the left side.
Clicking it opens the dialog similar to the model import.
As before, we recommend using the template (you can download it from the link at the top of the dialog) and pasting your scenarios in the table format to the cell D1 (given you have parameter names).
If you’ve tried these instructions and you still can’t get the file to import properly, perhaps you are getting a message saying something like: “You are not allowed to upload “pdf” files, allowed types: [“.xlsx”, “opml”] ” or ” Unable to Create the Model – could not import the file you provided. Please check that it is in the proper file format and that it contains the necessary information.” In that case, please email your Excel file to our support team and we’ll try to help you upload it into your account.