AutoCAD P&ID

[#1]

Is there a way to automatically update data manager data with an external excel file without the tedious import/export?

If there is not, where is the data manager's data being pulled from? The drawing itself? An external database?  It looks like when I modify a P&ID object it interally modifies Autodesk.processpower.pnidobjects.whatever, but where is that data actually located? I can open and view the processpower.dcfx file and look at the relationship tables, but can't figure out where the actual data values are.  Is that just the location of the object deffinition and the value is located elsewhere? Within the drawing itself?

If it is within the drawing itself, is there a database editing software that would allow my engineers to view and modify that information directly?

[#2]

The data is stores in the .dcf files.  the import and export are used to manage the changes, by design. The structure is such that I don't recommend people accessing the data.   You can use SQLite expert peraccess for direct access.  Our blog has links to it.

[#3]

Looked into SQlite expert personal, opened the processpower.dcf, scrolled down to one of the _PNP entries, clicked on "Data" on the right hand side, poof, there it was.  Great stuff.

Now I just need to figure out if this is something that is more useful than dangerous.  If multiple people can be editing the .dcf file while others are updating the dwgs.  If there is a way to associate that internal information to a formatted external editor so no one accidently deletes something they shouldn't.  Possibly a realtime link to an external editor or even excel.

Thank you very much for the help and information, I appreciate it.

[#4]

Links:

SQlite Expert Personal

SQLite ODBC Driver

SQLite OleDB Wrappers

SQLite ActiveX Wrapper

SQLite for excel

A lot of options there for editing the .dcf files outside of Autocad P&ID.