PCB BOM / CPL Placement Viewer will not open? Format and display troubleshooting
Troubleshoot PCB BOM / CPL Placement Viewer by checking signatures, versions, units, coordinates, and browser resources while preserving the source.
Do not rename or overwrite the source first
Make a sample copy and retain the original delivery, size, producer version, and exact error. Import Designator/Comment/Footprint from BOM and Ref/X/Y/Rotation/Layer from CPL, map columns, and inspect unmatched sets. U3 only in BOM may mean the CPL omitted it or it was marked do-not-place.
Recommended troubleshooting order
- Test the page example or a smaller known-good file to confirm browser functionality.
- Check that the file signature matches its extension and it is not a downloaded HTML error page.
- Compare the supported formats and size limit with the specialist checks below.
- Close other heavy tabs and retry in current Chrome or Edge.
- If it still fails, re-export from the producing application and verify in authoritative specialist software.
Checks for this format
- BOM and CPL references are trimmed, split, and unique
- Every fitted reference has X/Y, rotation, and side
- Coordinate units, origin, and board-scale bounds are plausible
- Bottom mirroring/rotation is sampled against a known board and factory rule
Common errors and fixes
Every reference is unmatched
Remap the reference columns, split cells such as R1,R2, and remove surrounding whitespace and quotes.
The scatter plot is flipped
Origin and bottom-mirroring conventions differ; the tool cannot infer factory rules, so re-export with the factory template.
When a browser tool is insufficient
- Without an outline/assembly drawing only coordinate points can be shown
- Angle, origin, mirroring, and bottom-side rules vary by EDA and factory
- Not a placement-program generator or production-release record
A visible preview only proves this parser read some structures. It does not prove engineering, manufacturing, scientific, business, or clinical compliance. Keep validation records from the source and receiving systems.
Privacy and safety
The tool reads files locally and does not upload them to FreeTool for parsing. Troubleshooting screenshots, CSV exports, and downloads can still contain sensitive data; de-identify before sharing and clear copies from shared devices.