topic Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT in AutoCAD Forum

Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

JAO68 — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 16:12:45 GMT

My company uses the same outline list format throughout all of our written documents and they want to apply it to our CAD drawings as well. The problem is that MTEXT will not allow us to use the same scheme to match our standard shown below so we do it manually and uncheck the "Allow auto Bullets and Numbering" and "Allow Bullets and Lists".

Is there a way to create a custom list scheme within or for the MTEXT editor?

NOTES

1. Top section text

a. Sub section text

1. Sub section text

i. Sub section text

Thanks in advance for any help, suggestions, or solutions.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

pendean — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 21:42:34 GMT

MTEXT is not that sophisticated, sorry. Do the work in your favorite word processor with that ability and either OLE link it back into AutoCAD or experiment with copy/paste options.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

GlennPope — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:03:43 GMT

Literally just figured this out today.

Use a ":" for the the "1" and "i" sub section

NOTES

1. Top section text

a. Sub section text

1: Sub section text

i: Sub section text

Edit: To clarify the steps

You'll have to manually type in the first of the sub sections. By typing the letter/number followed by the character then pressing the tab key (ex. "1:<tab>"). If they don't auto change to bullets, then close the editor and re-open for AutoCAD to recognize the bullet/number. In the bullet/numbering right-click menu has options for auto bullet; check that on to have the these autochanged. Then it can be indented and additional (2:, 3:, 4: etc) can be added just by hitting return.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

pendean — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:04:59 GMT

@GlennPope Elaborate please.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

GlennPope — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:34:59 GMT

Autocad sees "1." different than "1:", so the the indent can be set differently for them. The only thing is you have to manually type in the "1:" followed by a tab, then Autocad will recognize it as a bullet/number. You can also use other characters like ";" or ">".

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

pendean — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:13:45 GMT

@GlennPope I think you are missing a step or two with that explanation, all I get is with one tab after typing any of that

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

GlennPope — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:21:40 GMT

Sorry, ya there was something I forgot to mention. You have to get out of the editor then go back in before Autocad will update and show them as bullets/numbers.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

GlennPope — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:46:50 GMT

When I was looking up something related to this, I came across your post here - https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/mtext-auto-numbering/td-p/5553443#M336266 - about the last 2 options in the bullet and list menu. Mine where unchecked, when I checked them both, mtext automatically changed the them to bullets after hitting tab. I noticed your screenshot that you have them on, so don't know why they didn't auto change.

Re: Custom list numbering scheme for MTEXT

pendean — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:46:07 GMT

@GlennPope You probably clicked this (see arrow below) at some point, I usually opt for "continue" instead

To get what I typed above, you stay in the editor, you ensure you clicked START as shown in the arrow then you start typing...

1. <tab> add text <enter>

HTH