diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
index 34bf68855b..ff25f40fad 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
@@ -93,6 +93,24 @@ else:
 #  This module provides the base Arch component class, that
 #  is shared by all of the Arch BIM objects
 
+def convertOldComponents(objs=[]):
+    """converts Arch Objects with a Role property to the new IfcRole.
+    if no object is given, all object sof the active document are converted"""
+    if not objs:
+        objs = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.Objects
+    if not isinstance(objs,list):
+        objs = [objs]
+    for obj in objs:
+        if "Role" in obj.PropertiesList:
+            obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","IfcRole","Component",QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("App::Property","The role of this object"))
+            obj.IfcRole = IfcRoles
+            if obj.Role in IfcRoles:
+                obj.IfcRole = obj.Role
+            else:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Role "+obj.Role+" cannot be mapped for object "+obj.Label+"\n")
+            obj.removeProperty("Role")
+    
+
 def addToComponent(compobject,addobject,mod=None):
     '''addToComponent(compobject,addobject,mod): adds addobject
     to the given component. Default is in "Additions", "Objects" or