Redefining D.B. Fields becomes pound signs (####)?

[jarredmonday]

I've came across two threads with this similar question without any answers. Maybe someone knows by now...

This seems to happen to fields that are linked to objects. After redefining a dynamic block, from the tool palette, the field in it changes to #### signs. The field is referencing a pline for the length. Also, when I use the UPDATEFIELD command it's updating two fields. Shouldn't there only be one field?

[jarredmonday]

I forgot to mention the field is inside an Attribute.

I'm using attribute so I can mirror the blocks and have the text with the correct orientation.

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

I believe that when you redefine a block, the polyline the field is referencing is redefined as a new polyline and so the field link is broken.  There are two simple solutions that I have found.  The better solution, IMO, is to have the field linked to a 'block placeholder' and select an appropriate linear parameter.  A not-so-good solution is to place the block in a file, link the field to the polyline object that you want measured and save the block.  Then insert the file and explode it once.  

[jarredmonday]

Selecting a blockplaceholder was the perfect answer. I used this with other blocks that I was really struggling with. Thank you very much.