--- title: Importing an Estimate File description: Learn how to import an estimate file from one of the supported estimating platforms or the Join spreadsheet import template --- [Skip to content](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/importing-an-estimate-file#main-content) [Contact Join Support](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![Join Help Center](https://success.join.build/hubfs/Join%20Help%20Center.svg)](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact Join Support](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Login](https://app.join.build/) [Login](https://app.join.build/) Hi! 👋 How can we help? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Join - Help Center](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Milestones](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/milestones?hsLang=en) 3. [Importing](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/milestones?hsLang=en#importing) # Importing an Estimate File ## Learn how to import an estimate file from one of the supported estimating platforms or the Join spreadsheet import template. The easiest way to get a Milestone Estimate or Budget data into Join is by using one of the supported [estimating platforms](https://join.build/integrations/) ([Sage](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/sage-estimating-integration-how-to-export-your-cost-estimate-from-sage-estimating?hsLang=en), [WinEst](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/winest-integration-how-to-import-your-estimate-into-join?hsLang=en), [DESTINI](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/destini-integration-how-to-export-your-cost-estimate-from-destini?hsLang=en), [Procore](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/exporting-a-procore-estimating-estimate?hsLang=en), [ProEst](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/exporting-a-proest-estimate?hsLang=en), Ediphi) or the [Join spreadsheet import template](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/how-to-import-an-estimate-spreadsheet-template?hsLang=en). Using one of these methods provides the most streamlined step-by-step process. Importing an estimate or budget goes through three stages: 1. [Importing a Milestone Estimate or Budget](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/importing-an-estimate-file#import) 2. [Reviewing and Updating Direct Costs and Markups](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/importing-an-estimate-file#review) 3. [Publishing the Estimate or Budget](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/importing-an-estimate-file#publish) ### Importing a Milestone Estimate or Budget 1. Click **Milestones** in the [navigation panel](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/how-to-navigate-in-a-project?hsLang=en#navigation_bar). 2. [Create a new Milestone](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/creating-a-milestone?hsLang=en) or select an existing one. 3. Click the **Estimate** or **Budget** tab, depending on which is being imported. 4. Drag & drop the estimate file into the import area or click **Select a File** to browse for the file. Once the imported file has been uploaded and processed, the Import Estimate dialog will display. 5. Select which Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Codes to include or exclude from the import, rearrange the order by dragging them, and then click the **Next** button.**![](https://success.join.build/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-13-27-9543-PM.png?width=486&height=527&name=image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-13-27-9543-PM.png)** 6. If necessary, adjust the mapping of the WBS Codes to existing or new Categorizations in the Project. You can also select your [company's standard](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/standard-categorizations?hsLang=en) single-level and multi-level Categorizations here if they have been set up in the Admin Console. If your import has any matching errors, you can correct them here before importing, then click the **Next** button.![](https://success.join.build/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-15-58-0631-PM.png?width=670&height=365&name=image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-15-58-0631-PM.png) 7. If the estimate file contains a detailed cost breakdown, an option to select what [Cost Breakdown](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/cost-breakdown-options-in-join?hsLang=en) level is imported will be displayed. Select the desired level of cost detail and click the **Next** button to finalize the import process. ![](https://success.join.build/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-16-42-0524-PM.png?width=540&height=569&name=image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-16-42-0524-PM.png) ### Reviewing and Updating Direct Costs and Markups Once imported, review the estimate data, filter by any Category, adjust cost information as necessary, and [correct any Categorization errors (individually or in batch)](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/correcting-any-milestone-estimate-or-budget-errors-after-import?hsLang=en) in the **Edit Estimate** view.  [Markups](https://success.join.build/en/knowledge/markups-overview?hsLang=en) are often overlooked when importing an estimate. Review them by selecting the **Milestone Markups** section in the **Edit Estimate** view. ![](https://success.join.build/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-18-14-3672-PM.png?width=670&height=231&name=image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-18-14-3672-PM.png) ***Caution:*** *When importing, remember to add references in the* ***Applies to...*** *column for each Markup, as these are not included as part of the import.* Get a visual preview of the Milestone breakdown by selecting the **Preview Milestone Report** view. ![](https://success.join.build/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-21-10-0685-PM.png?width=670&height=697&name=image-png-Oct-20-2025-11-21-10-0685-PM.png) ### Publishing the Estimate or Budget Now that the estimate mirrors what was in the estimating platform, it is time to publish the estimate and make it available to the rest of the project team. 1. Click the **Publish** button in the top right corner. 2. 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