topic Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021 in AutoCAD Forum

Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

kwrightKDC7A — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:29:47 GMT

Hello!

I am trying to create a link between an excel file and CAD file. I would like text data from excel to fill in predefined attributes once the excel data is imported.

I was working off of this SOP:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-update-AutoCAD-block-attributes-using-Microsoft-Excel.html

Here is what I have done:

Created text attributes where I need them and but them into one block. (ex. Project name, Project location...)
Exported attributes to a TXT file
Copied this data into an excel file
Linked the project specific data to the cells for the attribute Value
Go to import the attributes but it seems it will only allow .TXT files

I am trying to avoid converting the excel file back to a .TXT file, I want this to be something that can be done with as few clicks as possible so I can use it on all projects moving forward. The excel file will already be created for other needs so I am trying to streamline my work.

Thank you!

Kelsey

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

TheCADnoob — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:34:08 GMT

Change your excel file to a CSV file.

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

kwrightKDC7A — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 17:34:06 GMT

@TheCADnoob thank you for the quick reply.

I did as you recommended but when I click import attributes and navigate to the file folder with the CSV file CAD is still looking for just .TXT files. If I drop down on the "files of type" it only lists .TXT

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

leeminardi — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 17:53:10 GMT

You might find post #9 here helpful.

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

TheCADnoob — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:20:19 GMT

sorry i forgot a few steps.

When you have it saved as a csv you have to change the file extension to .txt. A csv file is in essence a text file.

One you change the file extension open the text file and do a find and replace for commas (ctrl +H).

(note if you have commas in you data you will have to work your way around those)

(note to do a replace for a tab got to the last spot in your text file and hit tab. Then select it and cut it)

Hit replace all

After replacing all you data will be ready to be read in

Remember to save after you made the change.

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

kwrightKDC7A — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 11:24:59 GMT

Thank you so much for the detailed response!

Re: Importing excel data into attributes AutoCAD 2021

TheCADnoob — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:18:19 GMT

Glad to help. Sorry i didn't give that response the first time. sometimes i have to step back and remember that things aren't always as obvious haha. Its a pretty convoluted process to get from changing from CSV to importing data lol