> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates.md).

# Certification Templates

To successfully import Certification data into IAF CertSearch, you need to know about the following:

### Learn about the CB data structure

{% content-ref url="/pages/SPQSNdQL3OcCNGkC8s66" %}
[Certified Entity and Certification Data Fields](/certification-bodies/field-name-glossary/certification-fields-glossary.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Downloadable Templates

To successfully import your certification data into the IAF CertSearch database, the data must be formatted in the provided templates.

### **Latest version - Summary**

> version number: **2.1**
>
> Release note: [IAF CertSearch Release - August 19, 2024](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/iaf-certsearch-releases/system-updates/iaf-certsearch-release-notes/iaf-certsearch-release-august-19-2024)
>
> Release Summary: New fields for Technical Sectors, where a sector can be defined and managed at a certification level.

<table data-card-size="large" data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>Download template: <a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.1/cb_certs.xlsx">version 2.1</a></p><p><br><strong>Excel Help Guides</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.1/sample_cb_certs_20250506.xlsx">View Excel Sample</a></li><li><a href="/pages/a28IObx5sSMk9ot0Wowa">How to manage certification data in Excel</a></li><li><a href="/pages/sjrpdjtFSMRLjZrv0kKS">Excel General Rules</a></li></ul></td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/2.3/ab_cbs_sample.xlsx">View Excel Sample</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/CRwjwkUDMQBwC3BdrtG1">/files/CRwjwkUDMQBwC3BdrtG1</a></td></tr><tr><td><p>Download template: <a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.1/cb_certs.xml">version 2.1</a></p><p><br><strong>XML Help Guides</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.1/sample_cb_certs.xml">View XML Sample</a></li><li><a href="/pages/rexuk4JRVZv1JbXPilCe">How to manage certification data in XML</a></li><li><a href="/pages/jAr7uxzKzz9qP2ELazHM">XML General Rules</a></li></ul></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/Rxwv6uw2MJzP4hN63Ygq">/files/Rxwv6uw2MJzP4hN63Ygq</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Previous versions

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Excel Templates" %}
EXCEL previous template versions

<table><thead><tr><th width="225">Templates</th><th width="286">Release notes</th><th>Sample Data</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.0/cb_certs.xlsx">Download version 2.0</a></td><td><p></p><p>Includes new <strong>Certified Entity</strong> fields where Certified Entity data can be managed independently.</p><ul><li>Data fields are used to manage the entity's business registered address.</li><li>Ability to add multiple main sites</li><li>Renamed <strong>"Certification Additional Site"</strong> tab to <strong>"Certification Sites"</strong></li><li>The addition of a flexible scope and <strong>Main Site Full Address</strong> field, to accommodate countries that have different address formats can utilized.</li></ul></td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.0/cb_certs_sample.xlsx">view sample data</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.1/cb_certs.xlsx">Download version 1.1</a></td><td>Add Company Identifiers such as TAX ID, Company ID, and Business Registration Number are added to enrich the integrity of the Entity data.</td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.1/cb_certs_sample.xlsx">view sample data</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.0/cb_certs.xlsx">Download version 1.0</a></td><td>N/A</td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.0/cb_certs_sample.xlsx">1.0 sample data</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="XML Templates" %}
XML previous template versions

<table><thead><tr><th width="222">Version</th><th width="324">Release notes</th><th>Sample Data</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.0/cb_certs_sample.xml">Download version 2.0</a></td><td><p></p><p>Includes new <strong>Certified Entity</strong> fields where Certified Entity data can be managed independently.</p><ul><li>Data fields are used to manage the entity's business registered address.</li><li>Ability to add multiple main sites</li><li><p>Renamed:</p><p>&#x3C;certification_additional_sites> &#x3C;/certification_additional_sites> to &#x3C;certification_sites> &#x3C;/certification_sites></p></li><li>The addition of a flexible scope and Main Site Full Address field, to accommodate countries that have different address formats can utilized.</li></ul></td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/2.0/cb_certs_sample.xml">view sample data</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.1/cb_certs.xml">Download version 1.1</a></td><td>Add Company Identifiers such as TAX ID, Company ID, and Business Registration Number are added to enrich the integrity of the Entity data</td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.1/cb_certs_sample.xml">view sample data</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.0/cb_certs.xml">Download version 1.0</a></td><td>N/A</td><td><a href="https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/t/cb/1.0/cb_certs_sample.xml">view sample data</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

To download the Certification **Excel** Data Templates from IAF CertSearch:

1. Under Data Management, go to the Import page
2. To download the Excel template, click the **'Download Excel Template'** button

<figure><img src="/files/tYlGCl32MCGcS2U9PSGM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Additional Note:** When you click the Download Template button, different versions of the templates should be available for download.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Once downloaded, you may start adding your data to the spreadsheet.

#### Related Articles

> [Learn the Excel General Rules](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates/excel-general-rules.md)
>
> [Manage CB Data from Excel](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates/manage-data-in-excel.md)

***

To download the Certification **XML** Data Templates:

1. Under Data Management, go to the Import Certification page
2. In Download Data Templates, click the **'XML Template'** button

<figure><img src="/files/gOO8Fdlp7irBuLMgdlrb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Additional Note:** When you click the Download Template button, different versions of the templates should be available for download.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Once downloaded, you may start adding your data to the XML file.

***

### Related Articles

> [Manage CB Data from XML](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates/manage-data-in-xml.md)