---
title: "Create a product BOM"
slug: "create-a-product-bom"
description: "Learn how to create a product bill of materials in Zilliant CPQ."
updated: 2024-11-12T21:05:46Z
published: 2024-11-12T21:05:46Z
canonical: "docs.zilliant.com/create-a-product-bom"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zilliant.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a product BOM

Use one of the following methods to create a product bill of materials (BOM):

- [User interface](/v1/docs/create-a-product-bom#create-a-product-bom-from-the-ui)
- [Excel spreadsheet](/v1/docs/create-a-product-bom#upload-a-product-bom-from-an-excel-spreadsheet)

## Create a product BOM from the UI

1. From the application left navigation area, select **Products**.
2. Select a product.
3. From the top navigation bar, select **Product BOM**.
4. Select ![](https://cdn.document360.io/24f960e8-3c1c-4c18-a2c6-83b6ae4aab84/Images/Documentation/CPQ-icon_add.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T12%3A29%3A06Z&se=2026-11-11T13%3A29%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=KMb2rBKa6Jl5MxbHGNUDc9ny8I65POJjTJxg3LDUMPo%3D).
5. In the **New BOM** dialog, enter a name for the BOM.
6. Select the newly created BOM, then select the **Products** tab.
7. Select ![](https://cdn.document360.io/24f960e8-3c1c-4c18-a2c6-83b6ae4aab84/Images/Documentation/CPQ-icon_add.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T12%3A29%3A06Z&se=2026-11-11T13%3A29%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=KMb2rBKa6Jl5MxbHGNUDc9ny8I65POJjTJxg3LDUMPo%3D) to add related products.

![BOM entry products](https://cdn.document360.io/24f960e8-3c1c-4c18-a2c6-83b6ae4aab84/Images/Documentation/BOM_Entry_Products.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T12%3A29%3A06Z&se=2026-11-11T13%3A29%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=KMb2rBKa6Jl5MxbHGNUDc9ny8I65POJjTJxg3LDUMPo%3D)

          Notes

          

- The **BOM Entry Id** value must be unique.
- You can define the **BOM Entry Id** as the product name, ERP ID, or CRM ID. This enables mapping **BOM Entry ID** in the **Rule** sheet.

You can attach a product BOM to the knowledge base. In this case, you should also define BOM explosion logic with rules to add related products from the product BOM. At runtime, Zilliant CPQ will pick up the latest knowledge base and apply the defined BOM explosion rules.

## Create a product BOM from an Excel spreadsheet

1. From the application left navigation area, select **Products**.
2. Select a product.
3. From the top navigation bar, select **Knowledge Base**.
4. Select ![](https://cdn.document360.io/24f960e8-3c1c-4c18-a2c6-83b6ae4aab84/Images/Documentation/CPQ-icon_download.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T12%3A29%3A06Z&se=2026-11-11T13%3A29%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=KMb2rBKa6Jl5MxbHGNUDc9ny8I65POJjTJxg3LDUMPo%3D) to download the knowledge base Excel template.
5. Select **Includes Existing Products** to include all the products that are in the system in order to search for the product ERP ID or CRM ID or name.

CPQ generates the knowledge base spreadsheet with the PRODUCT BOM spreadsheet to define the product BOM.
6. In the **Product BOM** spreadsheet:

          Tip

          

If you have selected the option to include existing products, check existing product list in the **_ ExistingProducts** sheet.
  - **BOM Name**—Enter a name for the BOM.
  - **BOM ENTRY ID**—Enter a unique BOM ID.
  - Enter the Object Name (Product Name), ERP ID, or CRM ID.

Zilliant CPQ will look for the product in the system first by using the ERP ID, followed by CRM ID. If the product cannot be found by using ERP ID or CRM ID, CPQ will use the object name or product name to search for the product.
7. In CPQ, select ![](https://cdn.document360.io/24f960e8-3c1c-4c18-a2c6-83b6ae4aab84/Images/Documentation/CPQ-icon_upload.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T12%3A29%3A06Z&se=2026-11-11T13%3A29%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=KMb2rBKa6Jl5MxbHGNUDc9ny8I65POJjTJxg3LDUMPo%3D) and then select a file to upload. When uploaded, the system checks the file for errors. If it finds errors, you will see an error message. Check and correct errors, and then upload the file again.
8. Confirm the upload.