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TIDAS ZIP Import, Export, and Task Center

The product now includes a user-facing TIDAS ZIP package workflow. These entries live in the global top bar rather than inside a single data page.

If you only need the API flow, use TIDAS Package Import API. This page focuses on the web UI workflow.

Where to find the entries​

The relevant top-bar controls are:

  • Import TIDAS ZIP Package
  • Export TIDAS ZIP Package
  • Task Center

If you need the broader control map first, start with Key Functions Overview.

Import TIDAS ZIP Package​

Typical use cases​

  • Import a prepared TIDAS package into the current environment
  • Migrate processes, models, flows, and dependencies in bulk
  • Exchange data with other TIDAS-compatible tooling

Rules​

  • The UI accepts one .zip file
  • Non-ZIP files are rejected immediately
  • The system validates structure, references, and conflicts before import
  • Validation covers TIDAS JSON; when the package contains eILCD/ILCD XML, the XML is checked against the packaged schemas
  • Flow records with CAS numbers also validate the CAS check digit, so a structurally valid CAS number with the wrong check digit is still reported as a validation issue

Import steps​

  1. Click Import TIDAS ZIP Package in the top bar.
  2. Drag or select a single .zip file.
  3. Click Import.
  4. Review the result returned by the modal.

Import TIDAS ZIP modal

In the screenshot, 1 marks the ZIP upload zone, 2 marks the API-import documentation link, and 3 marks the button that submits the import.

Possible outcomes​

Successful import​

The platform confirms that the package has been imported successfully.

Success with skipped open data​

If the ZIP contains open datasets that should not be duplicated, the system reports that some open datasets were skipped.

Validation blocked​

If required fields, references, or package structure fail validation, the import is blocked and the modal explains the issues. Common causes include schema mismatches, missing references, eILCD/ILCD XML that does not match the packaged schemas, or an invalid CAS number check digit.

Conflict rejection​

If the package conflicts with objects already present in the environment, the import is rejected until those conflicts are resolved.

How to troubleshoot​

The import modal can provide a downloadable JSON report. Treat that file as the primary troubleshooting artifact. It helps answer:

  • Which objects failed validation
  • Which references could not be resolved
  • Whether any CAS numbers have invalid check digits
  • Which objects conflict with existing records
  • Which open datasets were skipped

When the ZIP comes from EcoSpold or openLCA​

If the ZIP was generated by tidas-tools from EcoSpold1, EcoSpold2, or openLCA JSON-LD, review the conversion reports before importing:

  • EcoSpold1 / EcoSpold2 conversion preserves source processes, flows, exchange identifiers, classifications, locations, CAS numbers, and numeric text where possible. Source details that cannot safely fit formal fields are kept in the TIDAS import trace.
  • openLCA JSON-LD conversion turns resolvable defaultProvider relationships into candidate lifecycle models and keeps unmapped source metadata as trace for manual review.
  • After successful conversion and validation, mapping.csv lists formal fields, trace-only fields, placeholders, and generated fields for expert review. Check it together with conversion-report.json before importing.
  • If the report flags schema, reference, CAS, or classification issues, fix the source data or conversion configuration and regenerate the ZIP before retrying.

For repeatable automation or deeper control over error handling, use TIDAS Package Import API.

Export TIDAS ZIP Package​

Core behaviour​

Export is asynchronous. The system first creates an export job, then you return to Task Center to download the final ZIP file.

Available scopes​

The visible export scope depends on your role:

Role scopeAvailable options
Standard userCurrent user data
System admin / ownerCurrent user data, Open data, Current user data + open data

Export steps​

  1. Click Export TIDAS ZIP Package in the top bar.
  2. Choose the export scope.
  3. Click Export.
  4. Open Task Center and wait for the job to finish.

Export TIDAS ZIP modal

In the screenshot, 1 marks the export-scope selector and 2 marks the button that submits the export task. The exact scope options depend on your role.

Do not wait inside the modal​

After submission, the modal only confirms that the task was created. The actual downloadable file is handled by the task center rather than the export dialog itself.

Task Center​

What it shows​

Task Center is the shared background-job panel in the top bar. It currently combines:

  • LCA tasks
  • TIDAS Export tasks

The current web import flow does not create a task-center item. Import feedback stays inside the import modal.

Common actions​

Inside Task Center you can usually:

  • Clear finished
  • Download: available only for completed TIDAS export jobs
  • Details: inspect IDs, timestamps, filenames, and other metadata
  • Remove: remove a record from the local task list

A common export failure​

One common failure is an export package that exceeds the environment's large-file upload limit.

Try the following first:

  • Export a smaller scope
  • Split the export into multiple runs
  • Ask a system administrator whether large-file uploads can be enabled

When to use the UI vs the API​

Use the web UI when:

  • You are doing one-off manual import or export work
  • You want to inspect validation results interactively
  • The workflow is being handled by a regular platform user

Use the API when:

  • You need automation
  • You need repeated imports in scripts or pipelines
  • You want external systems to process validation and error reports directly