Updating - "Create Plant Styles from List"

[Wlunn]

I am currently working on an Excel sheet that includes all the plants and corresponding information. This file will be imported into Vectorworks using “Create Plant Styles from List.” Once this is done, we will have custom 2D graphics for each plant.

 

I am concerned that if we update the Excel spreadsheet with new plants or updated information down the line, we will not be able to update our Vectorworks plants, which will be located in a workgroup library. I have already tested this and noticed that when I attempt to update it, it either has no effect on the plant data or it duplicates our plants and adds a “-2” after the resource name.

 

If anyone knows a resolution to this issue, please let me know. The only way I know around this is to create as detailed a spreadsheet as possible with a large list of plants, due to the fact that I will not be able to edit the Excel sheet again after I import it and assign each plant custom symbols. The only way to edit or add new plants would be to create a symbol individually and add it, or adjust the plant style.

 

Thank you!

[Peter Neufeld.]

Hello,

Have you tried updating using an Excel that only has the new plants? If you are reimporting existing then there would be a 2 next to them as they're already in the file. Best to try in a blank file not the one you already have as part of your Vectorworks library; then once happy import them into the main library file. The “Create Plant Styles from List' command is excellent!

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Wlunn]

On 4/10/2026 at 1:10 AM, Peter Neufeld. said:

Hello,

Have you tried updating using an Excel that only has the new plants? If you are reimporting existing then there would be a 2 next to them as they're already in the file. Best to try in a blank file not the one you already have as part of your Vectorworks library; then once happy import them into the main library file. The “Create Plant Styles from List' command is excellent!

 

Cheers,

Peter

Hey Peter,

 

We’ve tried importing only new plants using a separate Excel file, but our goal is to have the original master Excel file linked to our Vectorworks plant styles. Ideally, this would allow us to update or add plants in Excel and then reimport or sync those changes without losing the custom 2D graphics already built into the plant styles.

Is something like this currently possible? If not, is it something that could be developed in the future?

 

Thanks so much!

[Jeff Prince]

1 hour ago, Wlunn said:

Hey Peter,

 

We’ve tried importing only new plants using a separate Excel file, but our goal is to have the original master Excel file linked to our Vectorworks plant styles. Ideally, this would allow us to update or add plants in Excel and then reimport or sync those changes without losing the custom 2D graphics already built into the plant styles.

Is something like this currently possible? If not, is it something that could be developed in the future?

 

Thanks so much!

VWX is forcing users to manage plant data and appearance within the program instead of using external databases or spreadsheets.  I’ve been complaining about this for years, but it seems few people have raised similar concerns.  While it is possible to handle management of this externally, it is becoming cumbersome to do so with changes to how plant objects behave and the general unreliability of VWX database connectivity.  It’s an unfortunate state of affairs.