The fastest way to open a zolca-format database in openLCA, is outlined in the "Restoring a database" section. Alternatively, you can use the "Import" function with the following steps:

1. Click on "File" and then "Import".
2. Select "Import entire database" and then click on "Next".
3. Choose the option "From exported zolca-File" in the import wizard.
4. Locate the desired zolca file in your file browser and select "Open". Then, click "Finish".

Import from exported zolca-File

After importing it, the database will be "inactive". To activate it and gain access to its flows, processes, and other components, simply double-click on it.

Note: The program decompresses the files into a different directory (C:\Users\NAME\openLCA-data-1.4). As a result, the original zolca file remains compressed and won't be directly affected by changes made to the database within the software

In openLCA, an existing database refers to a database that has already been imported or created within the software. To import data from an existing database into the currently active database, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by following steps 1 to 2 as described above.
2. Select the option "Existing database".
3. Use the drop-down menu to choose the desired database from the available options.
4. Finally, click on "Finish" to complete the import process.

By following these steps, you can import databases in various formats into existing openLCA databases, allowing you to expand and enhance your data resources:

1. If needed, create a new empty database in openLCA to also import the respective reference system (elementary flows, units etc.) from the database/data set.
2. Double-click on the target database to activate it before importing the data.
3. Navigate to the "File" menu and select "Import". Choose "Other" from the options.
4. Select the specific format of the database you want to import (e.g., Ecospold, Excel, ILCD, SimaPro CSV, or JSON-LD).

Here are some notes on specific formats, be aware that this is not an exhaustive guidance but provides just some key aspects:

• For SimaPro CSV files, add a flow in the window and optionally select a flow mapping file. If you are importing multiple CSV files without a mapping file, import all the CSV files together to ensure correct mapping.

• For ILCD files, select the import file from the directory and optionally a flow mapping file. ILCD databases have to be in .zip format to be imported.

• For Ecospold1 files, ensure to check and assign units using a flow mapping file.
• JSON-LD is the in-house format for openLCA. You can import entire databases, LCIA methods or any other database element to import. JSON-LD data has to be in .zip format.

Here you have three options for the case of already existing data sets:

• Never update a data set that already exists: While importing, openLCA will analyze if the data set is already present. If so, there will be no change to the existing data set.

• Update data sets with newer versions: With this option, openLCA will update existing data sets if the version (or last change) of the to-be imported data is more recent. (Preferred for importing LCIA methods)

• Overwrite all existing data sets: This option will lead to overwriting data sets if they are already existing.

5. Click "Finish" to initiate the data import process. The duration of the import may vary depending on the size and complexity of the data.

In openLCA 2, we introduced a new feature that allows you to import GeoJSON files, so you can incorporate geographic information for existing locations in the database. The feature compares attributes like name, UUID, or code of the locations in the database with the features specified in the corresponding GeoJSON file. This helps to find and assign the appropriate location. For example, you can use this method to import the GeoJSON file of ecoinvent locations available at Geography ecoinvent using this method.

Within the database, GeoJSON data is stored in a compressed binary format. This approach reduces storage requirements and ensures fast loading of the data.

To import GeoJSON files, follow these steps:

1. Select "Geometries from GeoJSON" in the import wizard under "Other".
2. Choose the folder where the GeoJSON file is located.
3. Select the specific GeoJSON file you wish to import.

Note: If the GeoJSON file is in a zipped format within the selected folder, extract or unzip it before proceeding, as the import wizard can only add uncompressed GeoJSON files. The GeoJSON file may not be visible in the folder view, but it will be visible in the import wizard once the folder is selected.