How to Generate Bill of Materials from Schematic in PCB Design

To generate a Bill of Materials (BOM) from a schematic in PCB design, use your PCB design software's BOM export feature after completing the schematic capture. This process extracts all components and their details into a list, which you can export as a CSV or Excel file for ordering and assembly.

Syntax

Generating a BOM usually follows this pattern in PCB design software:

• Open schematic: Your circuit design with all components.
• Access BOM tool: Find the 'Bill of Materials' or 'BOM' option in the software menu.
• Configure output: Choose columns like part number, quantity, value, footprint.
• Export: Save the BOM as a CSV, Excel, or PDF file.

This syntax applies to popular tools like KiCad, Altium Designer, or Eagle.

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Generate BOM from schematic:
1. Open schematic file
2. Select 'Tools' or 'Reports' menu
3. Click 'Bill of Materials' or 'BOM'
4. Configure columns (e.g., Reference, Value, Footprint)
5. Export as CSV or Excel file

Example

This example shows how to generate a BOM in KiCad:

1. Open your schematic in KiCad's Eeschema.
2. Go to Tools > Generate Bill of Materials.
3. Select a BOM script like bom_csv_grouped_by_value.py.
4. Click Run to create a CSV file listing all components with their quantities and values.

This CSV can be opened in Excel or any spreadsheet for review and ordering.

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# KiCad BOM generation command example (run in terminal or script)
kicad-cli eeschema bom --input my_schematic.kicad_sch --output bom.csv --bom-script bom_csv_grouped_by_value.py

Output

bom.csv file created with columns: Reference, Value, Footprint, Quantity

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when generating BOMs include:

• Not updating the schematic before BOM export, causing missing or outdated parts.
• Forgetting to assign unique reference designators to components, leading to incorrect quantities.
• Ignoring component fields like manufacturer or part number, which are crucial for ordering.
• Exporting BOM without grouping similar parts, resulting in a long, hard-to-read list.

Always double-check your schematic and component properties before exporting the BOM.

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Wrong way:
- Export BOM without updating schematic
- Missing reference designators

Right way:
- Save and update schematic
- Ensure all components have unique references
- Fill in part numbers and descriptions
- Use grouping options in BOM export

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Tip
1	Open schematic in PCB software	Ensure schematic is complete and saved
2	Locate BOM generation tool	Usually under Tools or Reports menu
3	Configure BOM columns	Include Reference, Value, Footprint, Manufacturer
4	Export BOM file	Choose CSV or Excel for easy editing
5	Review and clean BOM	Group similar parts and check quantities

Key Takeaways

Always update and save your schematic before generating the BOM.

Assign unique reference designators to all components for accurate counts.

Use your PCB software's BOM export feature to create a detailed parts list.

Include important fields like part number and footprint for ordering clarity.

Review and group components in the BOM to simplify procurement.