Quick answerIn Xactimate®, use the file import or open function and point it at the .esx file; the sketch, facets, and any embedded line items load into a new or existing claim. Menus vary by version, so verify the exact menu path in your build. After import, always confirm the roof pitch, facet count, and total squares against the source report before pricing the estimate.

What an ESX file actually contains

An ESX is Xactimate®'s native project file format. When a roof measurement report is delivered as ESX, it typically includes a drawn roof sketch with facets, pitches, and dimensions, and it may include pre-populated line items depending on how the report was built. Importing it is different from attaching a PDF: the sketch is live and editable inside the estimate once it loads.

Because the file is native to the platform, import is generally a straight open-and-load action rather than a conversion. That is also why a wrong address or a wrong roof at order time is expensive to fix after the fact: the geometry is already drawn.

Before you import

  • Confirm the ESX matches the claim address and structure

    An ESX built for the wrong parcel will still import cleanly; nothing in the file format itself flags a mismatch.

  • Note your Xactimate® version and build

    Menu labels and the exact import path move between versions and periodic updates; the general steps below hold, but confirm the click path in your build.

  • Decide whether you're importing into a new claim or an existing one

    Importing into an existing claim with an existing sketch can create duplicate rooms or facets if not handled deliberately.

  • Have the source report open in a second window

    You'll need it immediately after import to check pitch, facets, and total area against what actually loaded.

Steps to import the ESX

  1. Open Xactimate® and start or open the claim

    Create a new claim or open the existing one you want the sketch added to.

  2. Locate the file import or open option

    Use the file import or open function in your version of Xactimate® and select .esx as the file type. Menus vary by version; verify the exact path in your build using Xactware's official documentation.

  3. Point the import at the delivered .esx file

    Browse to where the file was saved from the delivery email and select it. Do not rename the file extension or open it in another application first.

  4. Let the sketch and line items load

    The roof sketch, facets, and any embedded line items populate into the estimate. Large or complex roofs with many facets may take longer to render than a simple gable.

  5. Save the claim before making changes

    Save immediately after import so you have a clean baseline to compare against if anything needs to be corrected.

What to check right after import

CheckHow to verifyWhy it matters
Total roof area (squares)Compare the sketch's calculated area to the total on the source reportA partial import or a dropped facet understates the roof and understates the estimate
Facet count and pitch per facetCount facets in the sketch against the report; spot-check pitch on two or three facetsWrong pitch changes waste factors and material quantities downstream
Detached structuresConfirm garages, sheds, or secondary buildings are present or intentionally excludedThese are the most common cause of a report looking short on area
Line items (if included)Scan any pre-populated line items for obvious placeholders or duplicatesNot every ESX includes line items; don't assume pricing is complete just because the sketch loaded
Claim and address fieldsConfirm the claim number and property address in Xactimate® match the file you importedPrevents a correctly drawn roof from ending up filed under the wrong claim

If any figure doesn't match the source report, re-import rather than hand-editing the sketch; a hand-edit can mask where the real discrepancy came from.

Common import problems and fixes

  • Import runs but the sketch is blank: confirm the file wasn't altered or partially downloaded before import; re-download from the original delivery email.
  • Facets load but pitch reads as flat or default: check the source report for the stated pitch and compare; a mismatch usually means the wrong file version was opened.
  • Duplicate rooms or facets appear: this typically happens when importing into a claim that already has a sketch; undo, and import into a fresh claim first if you need to keep both.
  • Line items look incomplete: confirm whether the source file was ordered as a sketch-only ESX or one with line items included; not all ESX exports carry pricing.

Worked example

As a concrete reference, Sketch My Roof publishes a walkthrough of importing one of its delivered ESX files, useful for seeing what a completed import should look like end to end. Its published residential menu covers Standard ESX at $19, Complex-roof ESX at $25, PDF-only at $25, and ESX + PDF at $29, with same-calendar-day delivery for orders placed before the 6 PM Eastern cutoff.

If you need a report to practice the import on, you can order a roof report by address and import the delivered ESX the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Xactimate® always use the same menu path to import an ESX?
No. The exact menu label and click path move between versions and periodic updates. The general sequence (open the claim, use the file import or open option, select the .esx) holds across versions, but verify the specific path in your build using Xactware's official documentation.
Will an imported ESX include pricing, or just the sketch?
It depends on how the file was built. Some ESX files carry sketch geometry only; others include pre-populated line items. Check the file's contents after import rather than assuming either way.
What if the imported roof area doesn't match the source report?
Re-import the file rather than manually adjusting the sketch. A mismatch after a clean re-import usually points to a missing detached structure or a version issue with the original file, not a drawing error.
Can I import an ESX into an existing claim that already has a sketch?
You can, but it risks duplicate rooms or facets if the existing sketch overlaps with the imported one. If you need to keep both, import into a fresh claim first and merge deliberately.
Is importing an ESX different from opening a PDF exhibit in the claim file?
Yes. A PDF is a static document you attach as an exhibit. An ESX is a live, editable Xactimate® sketch that becomes part of the working estimate once imported.

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