← Back to resources

How To

Export a Netlist from Altium Designer

Nov. 21, 2025 · ~4 min read

If you're using Altium Designer and want to run automated checks on your schematic with tools like Netlist.io, you'll first need to export a netlist file. This quick guide walks you through how to export a .net EDIF netlist from Altium Designer step by step.

Key takeaways

  1. Open your schematic (or project) inside Altium Designer.
  2. Go to File -> Export -> Netlist Schematic.
  3. Pick a file name, save location, and the EDIF netlist format so the output ends with .net.
  4. Set Scope to Project for every schematic or Document for just the active sheet.
  5. Click OK to generate the EDIF netlist file.
  6. Upload the exported .net file to Netlist.io for automated checks.

Netlist.io's automated checks rely on an EDIF (.net) export from Altium Designer. This guide covers the primary workflows for generating that file—whether you want a single schematic or your entire project—and how to prepare the output for upload.

Method 1: Export a netlist from a schematic (File -> Export)

This is the most direct "export to file" method and is usually the easiest for new users.

  1. Make the schematic active

    • Open the schematic document you want to export.
    • Ensure it's the active tab in Altium Designer.

  2. Navigate to the netlist export command

    • In the top menu, go to File -> Export -> Netlist Schematic.

  3. Configure export settings

    In the export dialog:

    • File name and location - Choose where to save the netlist and give it a meaningful name, like 
      project_name_revA.net
      or 
      project_name_orcad.net
    • Netlist format - Select EDIF so the output matches what Netlist.io expects (you can reference other formats later if required).
    • Scope - Decide what the netlist should cover:
      • Project - include all schematics in the active project.
      • Document - include only the current schematic.

  4. Confirm the export

    • Click OK or Export.
    • Altium will generate the netlist file in the location you specified.

You now have a netlist file exported from Altium Designer that's ready for further checks or upload.

Method 2: Generate a project or document netlist via the Design menu

If you prefer working through the Design menu, you can also generate netlists there. This often adds the netlist as an output under your project.

  1. Activate the schematic or project

    • Open the schematic you care about, or ensure the project is active.

  2. Choose project-wide or document-only netlist

    • Go to Design -> Netlist For Project to include all schematics, or
    • Design -> Netlist For Document to only use the active schematic.

  3. Select netlist format

    • From the submenu, pick the desired format (for example OrCad/PCB2, PADS, etc.).

  4. Netlist is generated and added to the project

    • Altium will create the netlist and add it as an item associated with your project.
    • You can then locate the generated netlist file in your project outputs folder.

This method is handy if you want repeatable netlist generation as part of your design flow.

Method 3: Export a netlist via an Output Job (.OutJob)

If you already use Output Jobs to generate fabrication files, assembly outputs, and reports, it's cleanest to add your Altium netlist export to that same process.

  1. Create or open an Output Job

    • Open an existing 
      .OutJob
      file or create a new one for your project.

  2. Add a netlist output

    • In the Netlist Outputs section, choose Add New Netlist Output.
    • Select the netlist format (for example OrCad/PCB2) and specify which schematic documents it should use.

  3. Configure output settings

    • Adjust any paths or naming conventions you want for the netlist file(s).

  4. Generate outputs

    • Run the Output Job.
    • Altium will generate the netlist alongside your other outputs (Gerbers, assembly files, etc.).

This is ideal if you want your netlist generation to be part of your standard release process.

Formats and extensions to use with Netlist.io

Netlist.io is designed to work with standard PCB netlist formats exported from tools like Altium Designer. For this walkthrough we want an EDIF netlist saved with a .net extension, because that's the canonical format Netlist.io parses today. Once you're comfortable with the flow, you can also experiment with other text-based netlists (OrCad/PCB2, PADS, PCAD, etc.) and upload a sample to confirm compatibility.

Uploading your Altium netlist to Netlist.io

Once you've exported the netlist from Altium Designer:

  1. Go to Netlist.io in your browser.
  2. Sign in or create an account.
  3. From your project or upload page, select the netlist file you just generated.
  4. (Optional) Attach relevant datasheets for critical ICs and connectors so the checker can cross-reference pin functions.
  5. Run the analysis to catch schematic mistakes before they hit fab.

Summary

  • You can export a netlist from Altium Designer via:
    • File -> Export -> Netlist Schematic (simple, file-based export)
    • Design -> Netlist For Project / Document (adds to project)
    • An Output Job (.OutJob) (for repeatable, release-ready outputs)
  • Choose an EDIF netlist format (or another supported option) and keep the 
    .net
    extension.
  • Upload the Altium netlist to Netlist.io to automate review and reduce the risk of expensive board spins.

You've now got a clean, repeatable way to go from Altium schematic to AI-assisted netlist checking in just a few steps.