Frequently asked questions
The questions below are the ones we are asked most often.
When the answer is a step carried out on a screen, the link takes you straight to the page of the guide that describes it, with the video where there is one. What does not belong to a single screen is answered here in full.
Your data and how it is displayed
Why do some properties not appear?
This question comes up on every screen that shows a list of properties: the unit record, the General information tab of a property, and the information panels of the Plans tab.
The rule is the same everywhere: only properties that have a value are displayed. A property with nothing entered is hidden rather than shown empty.
So a line you expected and cannot find means the information has not been entered yet for this item, not that the platform cannot hold it.
If you have the necessary permissions, you can add it straight from the record. To fill in many items at once, go through Querying your data.
What is a unit's "GL code" and where does it come from?
The GL code is the business identifier given to each unit in your management software. It is the label the unit record uses as its reference.
It is entered and editable from the portfolio record, composition tab.
If you do not recognise a code or have a doubt, speak to your usual contact.
Why do spaces such as roofs or plant rooms appear in the list of units?
They appear when they have been attached to a unit code in your source data.
This is a data configuration matter, not a platform malfunction. Speak to your usual contact to have it looked at.
Your portfolio
How do I add a property?
See Add a property, on the home page.
If your portfolio is kept up to date by an ERP, adding a property by hand is not recommended: the next synchronisation may contradict it. This action is also reserved for administrators.
How do I add a building?
See Add a building, in the general information of a property.
How do I add a piece of data?
See Add a piece of data, in the general information of a property.
How do I change a piece of data?
See Modify an existing piece of data, in the general information of a property.
To trace where a value came from and see its earlier values, go through Checking your data.
Documents
How do I upload a document?
See Import documents, which covers both routes: dropping the file and letting the automatic filing place it, or filing it yourself.
To upload a large batch, go through Importing and changing documents in bulk.
How is a document filed?
Automatic filing suggests a folder and a class. Depending on how confident it is, the document is either filed directly or left in Action required for you to confirm.
Everything is described in The Document management sub-tab.
How do I find a document?
Two routes: the search bar, which also searches the text inside your documents, or the Documents tab of the property concerned.
How do I change the folder or the class of a document, or add a tag?
See Correct a filing.
Plans
How do I open the plans of a property?
See Open the plans of a property.
How do I colour a plan by theme?
How do I view the information panel of a component?
See View the information of a component.
How do I change a property from the information panel?
See Correct a piece of information.
How do I search for an element on the plan?
See Search for an element on the plan.
How are areas calculated?
See Automatically calculated areas, which lists the three areas calculated, the rules applied and the known limits.
How do I report an anomaly, or ask for a plan to be added?
Both go through your internal contact, as set out in Good to know.
Reporting a modelling error matters: it is what keeps the data attached to your portfolio reliable.
Analysis reports
How do I move between reports?
See Move between reports.
How do I filter my portfolio?
See Adjust the scope.
How do I make my dashboard interactive?
See Make the report interactive.
How do I export a table as CSV?
For an export built to your own specification, go through Querying your data.
How do I extract a list of equipment?
See Extract a list of equipment, in the Query report.
Why do some tabs not appear?
What a report contains depends on what was agreed with your organisation. It is normal for some tabs to be missing on your side while they exist elsewhere.
The same goes for the reports themselves: which ones you can reach depends on what was chosen for your organisation. If one of them would be useful to you, speak to your usual contact.
How do I have a report changed or created?
Speak to your usual contact. Depending on your subscription, adding or changing a piece of data may be possible.
Works plans
How do I start a works plan?
See Start a works plan, which covers both starting one plan and starting several at once.
What are the validation stages?
There are four: initialisation, consolidation, validation by management, and budget entry. They are described in Move the plan through its stages.
How do I add a works line?
See Complete with your own lines, which covers the two routes: a line taken from the Stonal library, with its prices, or a line you enter freely.
How do I validate the works across my whole portfolio?
See Consolidate at portfolio level.
Data quality
How do I correct a value and see where it came from?
See Check and correct a value.
The same screen shows the earlier values of a property and the loading errors of your last synchronisation.
EDIT, the field survey app
How do I add an annotation?
See Place an annotation.
How do I find an annotation to handle, and change its status?
See Find and handle an annotation.
How do I launch the automatic processing of an annotation?
See Launch the automatic processing, which also lists the cases that cannot be automated and go through the Stonal teams.
How do I change the value of an attribute?
See Update the attributes of a component.
From Abyla to Graphlake
This section concerns organisations moving from Abyla, the earlier plan management, to Graphlake, or preparing to.
What is Graphlake?
It is the Stonal plan management interface. It runs entirely on the Datalake, which replaces the Abyla databases.
The data model built in the Datalake makes the process of digitising your portfolio significantly simpler.
Why this change?
To let you decide faster and better, we have strengthened the way your data is structured.
Through REVIT and the Datalake, you keep a familiar framework and your existing data, with simpler tools to view the technical management data, update your portfolio, query it in every form, and build new uses on top of it (digital continuity, open data sources, and so on).
What does it change for my users?
Plans are read in the platform's Plans tab, no longer in a separate application.
You will find the main uses of the former Model interface there, on more direct screens. So the impact on day-to-day navigation stays limited.
Added to that are applications that did not exist before:
- an alphanumeric description of the portfolio, built into the platform;
- a query tool usable without technical skills;
- reports built into the journey, which make the data being used visible.
For everyday users the change is mostly visual. Data administration and data quality work, however, used to happen in the Abyla core: those change tool, and call for support.
What are the prerequisites?
Two, both aimed at sharing a common framework across clients:
- using the Stonal metalibrary;
- using REVIT as the deliverable for future modelling.
How does the transition happen?
Moving your base to the Stonal metalibrary is prepared beforehand with our teams. The transition then happens in three steps:
- the technical synchronisation of your data;
- opening Graphlake to your users, moving from the Model interface to the Plans tab;
- validating the connectors tied to Abyla, where there are any.
When will my organisation move?
Organisations deployed from 2025 onwards are already on this version.
For organisations with a history of using Abyla, the schedule is set with you, taking your own calendar constraints into account. Speak to your usual contact to know where you stand.
Will there be any service interruption?
The transition follows our continuous deployment process, like any other change to the platform. The steps are planned with you, favouring outside business hours.
Is the move charged for?
No. Stonal does not pass the cost of upgrading its platform on to its clients.
Do users need retraining?
The change of interface changes habits: your training material will need updating, and the change communicating to your users.
Our teams support you through this and provide suitable material.
How do I update my plans?
Everyday updates, on your own
- File import from the query tool: adding or changing properties, replacing a piece of equipment (the new symbol takes the old one's place), creating one (the symbol is created at the centre of the element it attaches to).
- Field reports from EDIT, the survey app.
Heavier graphical changes
These go through REVIT. A tool built by Stonal generates a REVIT file holding the Datalake data; you edit it; a second tool loads the edited model back into the Datalake.
Can I be autonomous on graphical updates?
Yes, provided you or your contractors hold a compatible REVIT licence and have command of the Stonal export and import tools.
These tools have been tested with our partners since 2025, and opening them to other external parties is planned.
Are the import and export tools charged for?
They do not change the data quality contract in force with your organisation.
Using them on your own, or through your contractors, does call for workshops and a support plan suited to your situation: speak to your usual contact about it.
How do I get access to the Stonal metalibrary?
Access is open to anyone who wants to use it:
- Go to BIM&CO Onfly.
- Click "Not a member? Ask for access!".
- Wait for a Stonal administrator to confirm your account, then activate it.
You can then browse the metalibrary or download it.
Where do I find the REVIT / BIM charter?
It is freely available: BIM ↔ Platform charter (Datalake / Graphlake).
The link always points to the latest version: the charter evolves continuously.
Cannot find your answer?
The rest of the guide describes each screen in detail. Start with Getting started if the platform is new to you.
For a question covered nowhere, or for access you do not have, speak to your usual contact: they know the configuration chosen for your organisation.
If they cannot help, write to us.
Finally, if you are connecting Stonal to your own tools, the technical documentation is in the API Guide.