How to Convert DGN to Excel: MicroStation Data Extraction

MicroStation® DGN files are the backbone of infrastructure projects: highways, bridges, rail, utilities. Cost estimation, quantity takeoff and validation often need that data outside MicroStation and other Bentley® software.

The CAD2DATA Pipeline includes a DGN to Excel converter. It reads DGN v7 and v8 files and exports element data to .xlsx. No MicroStation. No Bentley license. Runs offline. Windows CLI, Linux APT packages: same workflow as our other converters. Workflows and documentation are in the cad2data repository on GitHub.

What data gets extracted?

Data	What you get
Elements	Lines, LineStrings, Shapes, Curves, Arcs, Text, Cells, Shared Cells
Levels	Level name, number, color, weight, style
Cell properties	Cell name, library, placement point, scale, rotation
Text	Text strings, font, size, justification, coordinates
Tags	Tag set name, tag values (similar to AutoCAD® block attributes)
Geometry	Coordinates, vertices, bounding ranges

The output is data only (XLSX). The DGN converter does not export 3D geometry.

Quick start

# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/datadrivenconstruction/cad2data-Revit-IFC-DWG-DGN.git

# Windows
DDC_WINDOWS_Converters\DDC_CONVERTER_DGN\DgnExporter.exe "C:\Projects\Highway.dgn"

# Linux APT
sudo apt install ddc-dgnconverter
ddc-dgnconverter input.dgn output_dir/

Output: Highway_dgn.xlsx with one sheet per element type.

DGN versions

Supports MicroStation DGN v7 and v8 (MicroStation® V8, CONNECT Edition, iTwin®).

Infrastructure use cases

• Road and rail QTO: extract element quantities from alignment drawings for cost estimates
• Utility mapping: pull pipe/cable coordinates and attributes into GIS or spreadsheets
• Level audits: verify naming conventions and standardization across project files
• Data migration: move legacy DGN data into modern platforms (IFC, databases, GIS)
• Cross-format analysis: combine DGN data with DWG™, IFC, and Revit® data in a single spreadsheet

Batch processing

import subprocess
from pathlib import Path

converter = Path(r"C:\DDC\DgnExporter.exe")
for dgn in Path(r"C:\Infrastructure").glob("**/*.dgn"):
    subprocess.run([str(converter), str(dgn)], capture_output=True, timeout=300)
    print(f"Converted: {dgn.name}")

Recursive glob handles nested folder structures common in infrastructure projects.

FAQ

Can I convert DGN to Excel® without MicroStation®?

Yes. No Bentley® software needed. The converter reads DGN v7 and v8 files directly.

Does it work with CONNECT Edition files?

Yes. MicroStation CONNECT Edition uses the V8 DGN format, which is supported.

Can I convert DGN to IFC?

Not directly. The DGN converter exports to Excel. For DGN to IFC conversion, MicroStation’s built-in IFC export or iTwin services.

Can it convert DGN v8 files to v7?

No. The converter extracts data from DGN files to Excel. It does not convert between DGN versions.

Download

Extract element data from MicroStation DGN files to structured Excel workbooks. No Bentley license required. Free Community version for personal and research use; commercial licence on request. CLI, batch processing, Linux packages.

Get it on GitHub
DGN to Excel converter: download and details

Working with other formats? See our guides for Revit to Excel, DWG to Excel, IFC to Excel, and Revit to IFC conversion.

MicroStation® and iTwin® are registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. AutoCAD®, Revit® and DWG™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. Excel® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.