# Using the bcpViewer

```{toctree}
:glob:
:hidden:

using_the_bcpviewer/*
```

```{image} /img/getting_started/bcpviewer_256.png
:width: 100px
:align: right
```

With bcpViewer you can preview your BCP package before it is imported into Vault, in order to prevent errors that will be found after hours of processing.

## Open a package

Before you can start you need a BCP package.\
If you don't have one, you can use our {download}`VaultBcp 2024 </downloads/bcp_samplepackage.zip>` sample package.

Launch the [bcpViewer 24.0](</getting_started/using_the_bcpviewer>) shortcut on your Desktop and click on "File" → "Open" → "Folder Icon" for choosing your BCP package:

```{image} /img/getting_started/openpackage.png
:width: 400px
```

:::{note}
Choose the directory that contains the *Vault.xml* file, not a subfolder or the parent directory!
:::

After opening the BCP package once, you can use the "Load existing Database" checkbox. For large packages, this option saves a lot of loading time.\
As soon as your package is analyzed you can continue.

## Check Files

By clicking on a *folder* the containing *files* are shown.\
When selecting a file, you can see it's *dependencies* and *where* it is used.

```{image} /img/getting_started/filesview.png
:width: 900px
```

## Check Items

By clicking on ItemMaster in the left panel all the *items* are shown.\
After selecting an item, you get informations about the *associated files* and the *Bill of Material*.

```{image} /img/getting_started/itemsview.png
:width: 900px
```

## Check Behaviours

On files and items you can check their category, classification, lifecycle definition, state or other information.\
You can view all their *revisions* and *versions* directly by expanding them.\
On the right side of the Window you can see all the *user defined* properties of the selected element (system properties are not shown).

```{image} /img/getting_started/file_revisions_and_versions.png
:width: 900px
```

## Good to know

The best way to complete a migration to Vault is with an [acceptance test](</getting_started/using_the_bcpviewer/checking_acceptancetest>).\
With bcpViewer you can check the success of this test before the actual import.

Additional checks like the [Files existence check](</getting_started/using_the_bcpviewer/checking_files_exist>) and the [Behaviours calculation](</getting_started/using_the_bcpviewer/checking_behaviours>) can help you on this.\
They can be accessed via Toolbar → "Checks":

```{image} /img/getting_started/checks.png
:width: 400px
```

**Restrictions:** Depending on your machine, large bcp packages (> 1 GB) can take up to 5 minutes and more to load