The eXpress Model topology export can be used to create a Microsoft Excel worksheet listing alltopological and drawing information about a given eXpress model. The export, which can be invoked for the active design by selecting "Topology to Spreadsheet..." from the Export > Excel submenu within the File menu, can include information about the following eXpress element types: objects, ports, output functions, dependencies, object states, nets and I/O flags.
There are many uses for a worksheet created by the eXpress Model topology export, including:
Modifying the file and updating the existing model using the eXpress Spreadsheet Topology Import
Passing eXpress topology information to other tools in the Diagnostic Engineering process
Reviewing the file to ensure data accuracy and consistency
Although the most obvious advantages of the eXpress Model topology export are in the areas of model building and interoperability between tools, the Analyst should also remember that this feature can also be used to improve productivity when working with a single design. Paired with the eXpressSpreadsheet Topology Import, this allows for "full circle" manipulation of model topology, where exported model data can be manipulated in Microsoft Excel and then re-imported into eXpress so that all updates to the database are performed only once for the entire update. This can be a great time savings when working with large models, since the manipulation of topology within eXpress requires that the database be updated (e.g., nets rerouted & functions propagated) for each individual change to the model.
Note: If a Analyst is building an import spreadsheet from a schematic, an export of any existing model can provide spreadsheet with the column headings to aid in the effort.
