# Import GWA data
The File > Import > Text (GWA file) menu command allows GWA data to be imported into the existing model. Before the data is imported the GWA import options dialog box is displayed to offer the selection of GWA data to be imported and to give the option to append nodes, elements and load cases.
When the option to append is not selected data records that are identified by record number (and often referred to by that number) such as nodes, elements and properties, overwrite existing data; other data append to existing data. When append is selected, the node numbers, element numbers and load cases numbers, and references to these, are renumbered in the imported data to follow on from the existing data.