> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://enercalc.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://enercalc.com/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/external-items.md). # External Items How to add non-ENERCALC files such as documents, PDFs, and models into a project file as External Items. **ENERCALC SEL** allows you to add non-ENERCALC items into a locally saved Project File. Until 2023, the types of items that could be added were limited to: * MS Excel Spreadsheets * MS Word Documents * Adobe Acrobat PDF Files * Scanned Images However, in January 2023, this functionality received a huge enhancement. By using the *native application* to display the contents of an External Item file, ENERCALC SEL can now support an almost limitless variety of file formats as External Items. For example, you can now think in terms of having a RAM or RISA model as an External Item. Have some JPEG photos of as-built conditions and want to preserve them as part of an ENERCALC project file? No problem. Still prefer to use that MathCad sheet for the design of certain elements? Go for it, and then link it or embed it. The ability to include External Items allows you to use the ENERCALC Project File as a central point of document preparation and storage for structural project calculations. External Items can be interspersed throughout the list of calculations in the Project Manager, or they can be placed in Divisions that have been created specifically to contain the external items. ![](https://3283832020-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiBJmBoewuy4ZcBC7RF3m%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5c6b0924e44a5e83d0bc184155a7760100d15445%2Fclip0274_was_BMP.jpg?alt=media) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://enercalc.com/docs/sel-user-manual/calculation-modules/external-items.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.