Keep the original
Work with a copy and identify who generated it, which application they used and the purpose of the exchange. If it arrived in a compressed archive, extract the contents first. Renaming a PDF or spreadsheet does not turn it into BC3.
Open or import with a compatible tool
Use the BC3 opening or import command in your viewer or estimating software. Presto and Arquímedes are examples in this sector; check the features and supported versions for your software edition. FIEBDC’s software list provides a starting point for compatibility checks.
Check more than the total
Compare with a reference from the sender, such as an estimate summary. Inspect items with measurement lines and resource breakdowns. If data is missing, establish whether the original export contained it before blaming the receiving application.
- Chapter and item count and order
- Units, quantities and prices
- Descriptions and accented characters
- Measurement lines and breakdowns when present
If it will not open or amounts differ
Record the exact message, software version and failing step. Use the official checker where applicable and request a compatible export if needed. For calculation differences, first review quantities, rounding and the scope of the amounts being compared. Do not change prices randomly to force a matching total.
Ask for help with useful context
Explain what you tried, what you expected and what appeared instead. State whether all files fail or only one. A reduced sample makes diagnosis easier: agree on the sharing channel and remove information unnecessary to reproduce the issue before sending it.