openBoM: How to get Bill of Materials Items in the right order

The question of how to define the order of items in a BOM is one of the most frequently asked. And, it is one question with the the potential to cause confusion. The reasons you’d like to place items in the right order can be different, for example, to focus on the most expensive items, group by a specific type of items (plastic, electronic, mechanical, etc.), group by sourcing vendor, amongst others.

When we developed openBoM, we wanted to provide maximum flexibility to users to set the desired order of items (parts). openBoM can sort BOM using properties defined in the BOM, thus defining the order of items. Because the openBOM data model is open and flexible, you can always add an additional property and use it for sorting.

To sort in openBoM, just click on a property name. Each click will switch between ascending, descending and no order states. We’ve learned the usability of this feature leaves room for improvement as to provide the user a hint about the function. We’re working to fix that.

The following clip gives you an idea of how to sort using Balloon number, Vendor, and Mass properties populated in the BOM.

In addition to that, an openBoM export feature allows you to get sorted data out in a right order. The following video shows you how to extract data in PDF, Excel or CSV format in the right order.

Conclusion. You don’t have to upfront set the right order of items in your BOM. This is ‘spreadsheet-like’ habit and it should die, IMO. Rather, you can decide the order by choosing to sort based on specific Properties defined to control the desired order.

I hope you like it. However, speak up and tell me if something needs to be improved.

Best, Oleg