---
title: "Load a 2D simulation"
slug: "how-to-load-a-2d-simulation"
description: "Learn how to load a 2D simulation from the project panel. "
tags: ["running simulations", "2D modelling"]
updated: 2022-09-20T16:16:25Z
published: 2022-09-20T16:16:25Z
canonical: "help.floodmodeller.com/how-to-load-a-2d-simulation"
stale: true
---

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

# Load a 2D simulation

In addition to building new 2D models, you can also import existing 2D simulations (2D xml files) from previous studies or developed by a different modeller.

To load an existing simulation:

In the **Project** panel, click on the section header **Simulations** to highlight it. In the **Simulations** tab, click **Load Simulations**. You will be prompted to locate the simulation file in a standard browser window.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/5074bc26-a9ef-4bf4-b1de-a5c6ce628aca/Images/Documentation/loadsimulation.png)

Note:You can also load simulations by right-clicking on the **Simulations** section of the **Project** panel and selecting **Add Item** from the displayed menu.

Your simulation name will be added to the **Simulations** section of the **Project** panel. Flood Modeller will also ask if you also want to add all associated GIS layers from the imported 2D model to your current project. If **Yes** is selected, these datasets will be added to the **Spatial Data** section of the project. You can drag these into the **Layers** Panel to view the data in the map.

You can right-click the simulation name for further options, including **Open** to view the simulation details.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/5074bc26-a9ef-4bf4-b1de-a5c6ce628aca/Images/Documentation/Newsimulation2.png)

Within your project structure, new or existing 2D xml files will be added into the top-fixed folder called **Simulations**. If you want a 2D model to be stored in any sub-folder you have defined in your project then you will need to drag-and-drop it into the required location after it has been added to your project.