topic Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field" in AutoCAD Forum

What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

AIR_123 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:14:25 GMT

Can you please suggest what is controlling default value of the field "----"? Is it system var?
I want it to be able to set this value to nothing, that I only see gray placeholder without any values.

__PRESENT

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

nesosimic98 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:33:16 GMT

Two answer part;

For the # issue, impossible to change it. Those ### are by default there when no values are linked/inserted in the attribut

For the - issue. Look like an ''error'' during the attribut creation and definition.

You can create a new attribut (ATTDEF) and in the ''invit'' field set the default prompting text

Or you can edit the attribut throught BATTMAN. Select the concerned attribut and modify the same field

Note: it is impossible to leave the ''gray placeholder'' empty. Must at least have one visible caracter (a space won't do it)

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

imadHabash — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:33:42 GMT

Hi,

double click on the text , then select the text with field and right click . from the menu select your need.

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

cadffm — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:36:02 GMT

Hi,

>"Can you please suggest what is controlling default value of the field "----"?"

a field doesn't have a default value.

>"The Value is depending of your field target"

If you your field reads a variable-value, yes - but only then.

For example an AcVariable field, I think this fieldtype is what you are talking about, Sample: %<\AcVar modemacro \f "%tc1">%

If modemacro is "", the field will show "----"

If you want to to see "no value", go another way to show your variable value -> Use DIESEL field instead

$(if,$(eq,"",$(getvar,MODEMACRO))," ","B")

IF modemacro is "", display a blank, if not, display the variable value

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

AIR_123 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:37:17 GMT

Thanks. I understand what they are doing. Something is controlling those fields behavior and value. Im not sure what that is and if user has access to those settings.
Second one is the same as the first one. If I insert field and dont choose any values it will be dashes ----

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

nesosimic98 — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:11:37 GMT

I see,

We're speaking of Fields and I better get what you're questionning.

To make some context, Fields is kind of a shady kept part of Autodesk. The FIELD command is an easy to use feature. But further than that, there has never been any in depth documentation for Field.

Back to our subject, changing the default prompting text of FIELDS
Autocad has no implemented way to do that. No command or CUI tools to do so.

There are really few commande arround FIELDS, listed here → AutoCAD 2022 Help | Commands for Text Styles and Fields | Autodesk

And more fields info → AutoCAD 2022 Help | Field Dialog Box | Autodesk
On the above link, you will read <<The field expression cannot be edited >>

In depth solution
The only solution is to go in Field's formating code and use the community documentation to dive in it. But that out of my league.
If you want to got there, here is a usefull ressource → Coding with Field Text - Customizing BricsCAD® - P20 | Bricsys Blog

Easy solution

From what I can see, use of Block attribut seams more appropriate to your goals
You can add FIELDS in ATTRIBUTS. This way, you'll have a hand on the ''default prompting text'' and be able to use fields

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

AIR_123 — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:43:01 GMT

we are integrating PLM system. For it to control the attribute values in the title blocks, we need to feed custom properties of the drawing into PLM. Also we need to link text values of the attributes to those custom properties. We have several attribute lines in our title blocks for description and other purposes. They are not always filled in. Here is effect of what happens. We have description with the value taken from PLM and those attributes that are empty filled with "----". Therefor the question if there are any settings controlling default value (empty value) representation.
If I understood correctly, DWGPROPs dont work with DIESEL?

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

nesosimic98 — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:54:51 GMT

Can't yet help on DIESEL for now. That's my next autocad knowledge area to unlock...

I refere to my last reply for the impossibility to costumize that ''---'' default prompting of fields

Solution could be;
1) Manualy is to double clic those block attribut and delet the ''---'' field from the attribut. This will erase the unwanted ''---'' in that block.

2) Set FIELDDISPLAY to 0, removing the grey back ground (see if relevant)
You'll be left with an underlined ''TEST DRAWING'' text

3)For a more automated solution, LISP is the way to go. A LISP macro that goes throught blocks and delete the attribut's field if prompting ''---''
For so, redirect your post to the dedicate forum → Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum - Autodesk Community

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

cadffm — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:49:52 GMT

Diesel:

I think (not tested) GETPROP works within RTEXT only

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-28585C1C-65B8-41E0-90A3-7C043123EF7A

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

vinodkl — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:39:50 GMT

Hello @AIR_123

There is no system variable that controls the default value for DWGPROPS. The -- appears in DWGPROPS fields when a custom property field is referenced but no value has been assigned, indicating the field is empty or undefined. This helps avoid blank text, which might otherwise go unnoticed. To prevent the dashes from appearing, you can enter a space as the value.

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

AIR_123 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:19:02 GMT

Hi @vinodkl yes, indeed, that was my solution.
We have to configure PLM system such that it inserts spaces where needed automatically.

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:55:59 GMT

Is the 'field' in an attributed block?

If it is, do this:

Open the block in the Block Editor.
Select the attribute.
With the attribute still selected, go to Properties Palette and delete the dash(es).
Replace the dash with a single space.
Close Block Editor making sure to save your changes when closing the editor.

Re: What is controlling default value of the "Insert Field"

AIR_123 — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 10:45:30 GMT

that does not work. As soon as you delete dashes, it will delete field.
So only workaround I have found is indeed to fill in dwgprops with spaces or custom values, such that default "empty value" is not taking place.

__PRESENT