Excel Packing List to 3D Container Load Plan
A spreadsheet records what you need to ship. A load plan checks where each carton can go. Work through this small, reproducible example before importing your own shipment.
This file is an input template, not an Excel optimization macro. Planning needs no account. Free PDF and CSV exports from the planner ask for an email; product updates are optional.
1. Check the packing list
| SKU | L × W × H (cm) | kg each | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master carton | 60 × 40 × 40 | 18 | 10 |
| Small carton | 40 × 30 × 30 | 10 | 10 |
Expected input totals: 20 cartons, 280 kg cargo, 1.32 m³. Cargo weight excludes container tare.
2. Import, map and review
- Open the planner, choose 20ft GP, then Import Excel/CSV. Upload the example, or paste cells copied from Excel. For a workbook, select the worksheet containing the cargo.
- Check name, length, width, height, weight each, quantity and upright column mappings. Header or cell units take priority over the fallback selectors.
- Expect two accepted types and 20 cartons. If your own file has a zero dimension, non-numeric quantity or missing weight, inspect the warnings and correct the source row. Do not silently discard cargo to obtain a successful plan.
- Confirm the units, accepted quantities and any exclusions, then use the list and calculate. Keep example runs classified as samples.
3. Inspect the result before exporting
With the supplied 20ft GP preset and this example, the planner places all 20 cartons and reports 280 kg cargo. This deliberately small load is a way to check the workflow, not a demonstration of maximum container utilization. Rotate the live 3D example to inspect the arrangement.
PDF plan produces a printable visual handoff. CSV exports the placed-carton coordinates. Check the packed/requested count: a partial plan is not confirmation that the whole shipment fits. The heuristic is an estimate, not a proof of optimal packing or a certified securing plan.