How to Open an Xactimate File (.ESX) on Desktop or Online

Ready to get started with your Xactimate project? First, you have to open the ESX file.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to open an Xactimate (.ESX) file, along with tips to troubleshoot common issues.

How to Open an Xactimate File with Xactimate Desktop

Your existing projects should appear on your home screen in Xactimate Desktop. To open it, double click on the project you want to view or edit.

If the project you’re looking for is not already in your Local Projects tab, then you’ll need to download it from the cloud, or import an ESX file from your computer. To do that, drag and drop the ESX file you want to import onto your local projects page. A pop-up will appear showing you the import progress. When you see the “Import Successful” message, close the pop-up by going to the bottom corner and clicking “Close.”

From there, you can double-click the file to start working on it.

How to Open an Xactimate File with Xactimate Online

Xactimate Online has a very similar interface. Note that you must install Xactware ClickOnce browser extension to view or edit any projects using Xactimate Online.

In the Project tab, double-click the existing project you want to work on. You can also single-click the row and then click the “Open” button on the right hand side. If the project you wish to work on is not already in your Projects tab, then you’ll need to import an ESX file from your computer. 

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To import an ESX file from your computer, the easiest way is to drag and drop the ESX file you want to import onto your local projects page. A pop-up will appear showing you the import progress.

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For more information on importing a file, check out our guide on how to import an ESX file.

Can You Open an Xactimate File Without Xactimate?

No, you can’t open an Xactimate file without Xactimate. “You can only open an ESX file with Xactimate,” Docusketch Estimator and AskAime ruleset developer, Christopher Muto. “You can only manipulate the estimate, draw the sketch or export .PDF reports within Xactimate itself.”

To better understand what’s inside a completed file, here’s a guide on how to read an Xactimate estimate.

Why Can’t I Open This Xactimate File?

The most common reason why you may not be able to open a project in Xactimate, even if it’s an existing project, is that it’s locked because it’s checked out by another user. This prevents versioning issues between the same project, so everyone on the team can work with the most up-to-date sketch.

You won’t be able to open a project that’s locked unless you have administrative rights and can override the lock—though if you do that, you may create a headache with multiple versions of the same sketch floating around. If you still want to proceed, double click the project, then click “Yes” on the warning popup.

Let DocuSketch Take Care of Your Xactimate Sketch

DocuSketch’s Xactimate team can turn your measurements into a Sketch in less than two business days.

If you’d rather do the sketching yourself, DocuSketch’s Estimate Grader is a free tool that offers clear, data-backed suggestions on your estimates so you can catch mistakes before they slow you down and cost you money. Whether you're new to sketching or a seasoned pro, the Estimate Grader is like having a second set of expert eyes on your file.