topic Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings in AutoCAD Forum

How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

rpaul5B9U6 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 08:42:33 GMT

Hello,
Is it possible to update an Autocad drawing by means of an Excel data file or vice versa. 
We manage our public lighting with Autocad and also have to keep updating excel sheets. 
I would like to make Autocad leading and be able to adjust the dwg file backwards from an Excel file

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

DumR0 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:43:31 GMT

Hi,

To export/update Excel from Autocad is posible see link below:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-B0D32260-45E3-4643-B574-7F6C31579B68-htm.html

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

TheCADnoob — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:36:49 GMT

To get this done, It depends on how your assets are managed in the drawing.

If they are managed by a table you can use data links

If they are single block you can use something like ATTOUT and ATTIN

Also as @DumR0 mention there is data extraction which you can use to update your excel file as well.

I Imagine you could also create a tool with VBA as well but i would try the other above options first is you are not familiar with VBA.

I havent had much luck with either of these approaches. My problems wasnt due to the tools but due to other stakeholders in the process. Other people would work on the drawings and or spreadsheet tend to get in and break things. So if you are trying to do this make sure you have buy in or a way to protect the data and data structures to ensure success.

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

rpaul5B9U6 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:32:23 GMT

I need to give instructions to my Acad Expert. Is there a Dutch instruction form ?

Im also curieus if it can be used backwards (From Excel to ACad)

For example, i would like to correct some lightfixtures in Excel ( like positions or specifications).

Can Acad change these items direct in the DWG drawings?

I would like that contractors make changes in a Excel file and deliver that to me or make the changes in to a Basic DWG file from where i can export it to Excel

I want to import that Excel changes in to my standard DWG drawing and make a Change Log in the same time.

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

TheCADnoob — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:48:46 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERXmetYzTjM

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

rpaul5B9U6 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:59:45 GMT

Thanks for the info.
However, this is not exactly what I am looking for. I just want to be able to change the locations of symbols or change the symbols based on. the excel export.

the example taught me how to include an excel in a drawing, not how to use the data in the excel can change things in the drawing.

Sorry if I'm a bit unclear in my goal

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

TheCADnoob — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:14:00 GMT

ok, I understand what you are trying to do now.

There is not a easy way to do that.

You can try something like this (message # 4). In this thread I used a CSV to populate items at specific points on certain layers.

You would need to create a script to first remove all the old objects. Then change the point command (from the example) to be a block insert command.

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

DumR0 — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 05:25:46 GMT

Hi,

you need to try to find some lisp, or just try VBA

here is some links that might help:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/linking-between-autocad-and-microsoft-excel/m-p/7749970

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/lint-to-part-of-an-excel-file/m-p/9930061

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/data-link-update-for-list-of-drawings/m-p/8330480

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

JTBWorld — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:37:24 GMT

If you have not already found a solution feel free to contact us as we can create what you need. We've done similar things several times.

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

rpaul5B9U6 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:06:35 GMT

Pffff,:) 
I'm not a pro at Autocad (last used 20 yrs back) or writing VBA scrips in Excel. I'm looking for a way to explain this to an Engineer in plain language.
A solution by means of a manual (preferably in Dutch) would be a great outcome and help us a lot.

I am now overwhelmed by all the information related to the issue, however it just doesn't cover the whole of the question.

I know it was possible, but I don't know how :)

Re: How can i use Excel Backward to manage autocad drawings

Ed__Jobe — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:19:49 GMT

What you want to do is very specific to your business, so there will not be a standard tool to do this. Custom programming can do what you want. If you don't have someone in your company that can program AutoCAD, then you can hire someone to do it. Jimmy from jtbworld.com has offered to do it.

Wat u wilt doen is heel specifiek voor uw bedrijf, dus er zal geen standaard tool zijn om dit te doen. Aangepast programmeren kan doen wat u wilt. Als u niet iemand in uw bedrijf heeft die AutoCAD kan programmeren, kunt u iemand inhuren om dit te doen. Jimmy van jtbworld.com heeft aangeboden om het te doen.