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COBie 2.4 practical guide

How to get COBie from Revit

The shortest route is to add a Revit model to BIMRelay, review the generated workbook, and export. This guide also covers the Autodesk COBie Extension's Revit-based setup and export workflow.

Before you start

  • Confirm that the owner requests COBie 2.4, and obtain their asset scope, required fields, and acceptance criteria.
  • Identify the host and discipline models that belong in the deliverable. Agree which equipment, spaces, and types should be included; what belongs in COBie summarizes the standard's scope rules.
  • Identify who will provide information missing from Revit, such as serial numbers, installation dates, and warranty details.

BIMRelay: four steps from Revit to COBie

BIMRelay starts with the model as it already exists. It applies the standard workbook structure and default sources, then gives the delivery team one browser workspace for the exceptions and handover information. COBie-specific Revit setup is optional, not a prerequisite.

  1. Add the Revit model

    Create a project and upload the Revit file, or connect the published host through Autodesk Forma using your Autodesk account or a Secure Service Account (SSA). With Forma, BIMRelay finds the host's latest published version and its linked models so you can confirm which links belong in the workbook. BIMRelay then generates the COBie 2.4 workbook.

For a Forma-connected project, the Models page keeps the host, included links, and model processing together.

  1. Review Issues

    Use the Issues panel to find missing required values, invalid references, and other validation findings. Open a finding to reach the affected cells, then correct the value or its source mapping. Invite contributors to complete information missing from the model.

The Issues panel identifies the worksheet and field that need attention.

  1. Review AI suggestions

    AI Review suggests which assets and attributes belong, finds product details, and proposes missing classifications. Review the reasoning and sources, then approve the suggestions you want. Nothing changes until you approve it.

AI Review groups asset, attribute, product, and classification suggestions beside the workbook.

  1. Export COBie

    When the workbook is ready, choose Export to create a COBie 2.4 XLSX file for Excel.

One workspace from model to export

There is no version-matched Revit add-in to install, no COBie parameter or schedule setup required before the first workbook, and no need to return to Revit for each review question. Model context, workbook edits, comments, findings, and export stay in the same project.

Autodesk COBie Extension: Revit setup and export sequence

The Autodesk COBie Extension is a free tool for licensed Revit users and is a good fit when the project wants COBie values authored and maintained inside Revit. Follow Autodesk's installation instructions to download the Interoperability Tools for your Revit version. Ribbon layout and labels can vary by release.

  1. Install the tools for your Revit release

    Install the matching Autodesk BIM Interoperability Tools package, then open the contributing model in Revit.

  2. Set up the project and families

    Use the Extension's setup tools for the project and relevant families. Configure facility and contact information, naming, zones, classifications, and the worksheets the model will populate.

  3. Map the COBie fields

    Decide which existing Revit properties can supply each field and where COBie parameters are needed. Configure the mappings and complete the values that belong in the model.

  4. Select assets and update COBie data

    Select the required types and instances, configure contributing linked models, and run the update operation so the prepared values populate the Extension's Revit-side COBie data.

  5. Configure and create the spreadsheet

    Open Create Spreadsheet, choose the models and worksheets, review the output options, and run the export.

  6. Complete and check the Excel deliverable

    Open the exported sheets in Excel, add information that was not available from the model, and check the required values and references. Keep track of spreadsheet-only edits so they can be reconciled after a later export.

For detailed Autodesk COBie Extension instructions, see Autodesk's setup, selection, and update sequence and Create Spreadsheet options.

Where its scope ends

The Extension sets up Revit models for COBie and exports the spreadsheet. It doesn't include a shared browser workbook for the wider team, findings beside a model viewer, AI Review, or workbook versions that carry edits forward.

When your models change

For Forma-connected models in BIMRelay, use Check for latest models on the Models page and import the available updates. This processes the new model and creates the next workbook version.

Your edits carry forward to the new version. Review added, removed, and changed records and rerun your delivery checks.

To skip the manual check, turn on Automatic model updates and BIMRelay picks up newer published models when you open the project.

With the Autodesk COBie Extension, rerun the relevant setup, update, and export steps in Revit, then reconcile any information completed in Excel.

Already using the Autodesk COBie Extension?

You do not need to discard that work. BIMRelay can use existing Autodesk COBie Extension parameters as workbook sources. Keep the values that need to live in Revit, then use BIMRelay for the shared review, non-model handover information, validation, and delivery workbook.

This combined approach is useful when the owner requires COBie parameters in the Revit model as well as an Excel deliverable. Edits made in BIMRelay remain in the workbook; model authors must update any corresponding Revit parameters separately.

COBie 2.4 source

The official NIBS publication and Annex A schemas define the standard. Your contract and owner requirements determine acceptance.

National Institute of Building Sciences: COBie 2.4