IFC in Revit: link to coordinate, open to take over

Link an IFC to coordinate. Open it only to take over.

Revit gives you two doors for the same file. Insert › Link IFC keeps the model as a read-only reference you can reload when the source changes: right for a consultant's model, or for furniture you only place and show. File › Open › IFC converts it once into a new Revit project: you can work with it, but updates no longer reach you, and you should expect fixed geometry instead of flexible families. Before loading, check the class-to-category mapping under File › Open › IFC Options, then test a view and a schedule.