Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.EXE)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
SOLIDWORKS Portal
SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide – 2021 Update
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- How to Store SOLIDWORKS Templates on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- How to Adjust Annotation Formatting and Spacing
PDM
- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- Enhancement Requests for PDM Users
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- Show all articles ( 1 ) Collapse Articles
- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- Show all articles ( 4 ) Collapse Articles
Simulation
Referenced Document has non-matching Internal ID


When opening assemblies, users sometimes get a message saying the referenced document has a non-matching internal ID. Let’s explore why this occurs and how to remedy the issue.
What’s an internal ID?
The internal ID is a number that is automatically generated and assigned to any part you create in SOLIDWORKS. This is not viewable or changable by the user. Once created, the internal ID will remain the same throughout the life of that part.
If you rename the part, the internal ID will remain the same. If you create a copy of the part and give it a different name, both files will have the same internal ID. If two files have non-matching internal IDs, it means they have the same name but different internal IDs. This means they were created independently of each other and are most likely not identical files.
Still confused? Here’s an example.
When Part B is created from Part A, both parts will have the same Internal ID. Also, Parts A and B will share the exact same topology. This means swapping A out for B in an assembly typically goes much smoother because the face names (topology) match up. This is also very useful for design automation products such as DriveWorks or TactonWorks.
When Part B is created independently from Part A, they will have different internal IDs. Unless the files are purposefully built identically, they will most likely not share the same topology.

For instance, one may be started on the front plane while the other may be started on the right plane. The resulting solid geometry may be identical, but the part topology is different. Swapping A out for B in this instance will likely require the mates to be reworked in the assembly.
What you can do to fix it:
When you open an assembly and it informs you the internal IDs are different, you must decide whether this is the correct part or not.
Option #1: Is the referenced file in the correct location? Is the path shown in the dialog the expected location for this file? If not, select “Let me browse for the original file” and select the correct file. You may also want to determine why you have multiple versions of the same part number in the vault.

Option #2: If the file is in the correct location, was the file replaced with a more current file? If so, click “Use this file anyway” and the assembly will open with the file. Check the mates for the part to make sure they are correct. In most cases, they will not be unless the files were created identically on purpose.

Option #3: At this stage, depending on how the parts were created, the assembly may blow up. If it does blow up, close the assembly without saving. Reopen the assembly, and when prompted to use the file or not, select the “Open without this document” option. Once the assembly is open, you can delete the suppressed part from the tree and add it back in using the Insert Components dialog.

After opening the assembly with the correct part, you will need to save the assembly to update the file references. Once the assembly is saved with the new part it should recognize the internal ID from then on.