topic Component Tags in AutoCAD Electrical Forum

Component Tags

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 14:49:09 GMT

Why does Autocad Electrical preface Componet Tag names with a minus(-) sign?

Re: Component Tags

jseefdrumr — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:58:45 GMT

It doesn't, by default.

Re: Component Tags

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:07:24 GMT

Well it does it now. Can't figure out what may have changed. Is there a way to define a preset for a component tag?

Re: Component Tags

jseefdrumr — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:29:47 GMT

Open up your drawing properties: AEDRAWINGPROPS.

Go to the 'Components' tab and in the upper left corner you'll see the tag format assigned to that drawing. Each value represents something. %F would be the component family, for example, while %S is the sheet number and %N is the line reference. There are others; I just listed some off the top of my head. %F, %S, %N etc are called 'replaceable parameters' in the software. That term is searchable in HELP.

If one of the replaceable parameters used by your tag sequence is empty/blank, ACADE will substitute a hyphen as a place holder. So that's likely what you're seeing: The tag knows a value should be there, but it isn't set yet. So, you get a hyphen instead.

The first thing I think you should try: use the information in AEDRAWINGPROPS to determine which part of your tag sequence is receiving the hyphen placeholder. Once you know that, you'll have to look through your other properties (or maybe the project descriptions) to find that corresponding value.

Example: if the hyphen is the first thing you see, and your tag format is %S%N (sheet #, line #), then it would mean that the %S value isn't populated. %S refers to the sheet number assigned to your drawing. In this specific case, it would mean that there is no sheet value assigned in the first tab of AEDRAWINGPROPS.

If you're not sure how to identify the particular replaceable parameter that's getting the placeholder, post back with some more info and I or another forum user will get you together on it.

Re: Component Tags

Icemanau — Sun, 02 May 2021 21:21:30 GMT

OK, that is a standard used by IEC tagging.

Go to your Project Properties and select the 'Components' tab.

Under Component TAG Options look for the 'Combined Installation/Location tag mode' and see if it is selected.

If it is, make sure the 'Suppress dash when first character of tag' option is also selected.

This should do the trick for your problem.

I would suggest that if you don't need the INST/LOC in the tag, that you make sure that 'Format Installation/Location into tag' is NOT selected.

This is only set in the project properties so if it's happening in more than 1 project, check those as well.

Regards Brad

Re: Component Tags

zsolt_bagi889wqs1z — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:27:51 GMT

Thank You!