Using the converter

Using the format converter must be straightforward and easy for users. Therefore, main task of the user is to select the source format files and to specify the target format. In order to demonstrate the use, the screenshot section contains a step-by-step illustration.

The converter in turn validates the source format files, builds a metadocument based on a generic template, and "casts" content from the source format files into the respective locations in the metadocument. The metadocument itself is validated, and basis for creating the target format data sets.

The conversion can also be performed in batch mode, i.e. for several datasets in one directory.

When converting "towards" the ELCD format (ELCD format = target format), some of the ELCD flow properties need to be assigned manually, especially the units (see also the screenshots here). The assignment is necessary for the following reason:

In the EcoSpold and ISO formats, each flow quantity is directly assigned to a unit. In the ELCD format, a quantity refers to a FlowProperty dataset, which, in turn, refers to a UnitGroup dataset. One FlowProperty (e.g. mass)  may have different units (or UnitGroups, in ELCD language -  lb, kg, and so on). In consequence, the assignment  from unit to FlowProperty is not unique. Therefore, the manual assignment is necessary, when converting from ISO or EcoSpold to ELCD.

The assignment needs to be done manually, but only once. Users have the option to save, and edit, previously assigned values. The converter checks for these, and requires users only to assign those units that are not yet found in stored data, see also the screenshot section.

The technical design and implementation might not be interesting for LCA practitioners; however, the converter is designed to be able include new data formats, and changes in the implemented formats, as easy as possible. For some details please see also the implementation details page.

In future, conversion examples will be posted on this page.