topic Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing in AutoCAD Forum

Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:06:20 GMT

Is there a way to make a field in AutoCAD that when you enter text information into that field, it will also update other areas of the drawing? Not xrefs, I don't need shapes in this way, just text. Similar to how you can in Excel. Thanks in advance for any tips.

-Ant

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

ChicagoLooper — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:15:02 GMT

What's the field?

What information is field referencing?

If you want detailed, step-by-step instructions, then you'll need to provide detailed answers to the above two questions.

The RAW truth, no, you can't do that. I know this is not the answer you want, but it's the truth based on your vague question.

Note: I suspect there are more appropriate ways (not using fields) to get what you want but you'll need to explain what you want to accomplish.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:20:48 GMT

Yes, I have many drawings in one file (in model space) that I build per project. I have varying quantities for each drawing. Each drawing corresponds to many parts per drawing and I am looking for a way to update one text field per drawing that would control the part quantities per drawing automatically.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:27:00 GMT

@atribo141141 wrote:

Is there a way to make a field in AutoCAD that when you enter text information into that field, it will also update other areas of the drawing? ....

Just make that text a Block. Edit the Block to change the text content, and all other insertions of it will change accordingly.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Michiel.Valcke — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 22:52:25 GMT

You can consider using drawing properties. If you make custom drawing properties, you can refer to those with a field. This way you'll have a centralized location in your drawing where you can update the values, and all fields referring to that value will also update when the field updates.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

ChicagoLooper — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:50:06 GMT

@atribo141141 wrote:
....I have varying quantities for each drawing. Each drawing corresponds to many parts per drawing and I am looking for a way to update one text field per drawing that would control the part quantities per drawing automatically......

What does this mean? Please explain.

Are the parts you mention AutoCad blocks? Do you have multiple blocks? Or is there just one single block? Do you wish to count the number of blocks? If you have more than one block, do you want a breakdown showing the number of blocks for each block type?

How are you currently counting the parts? (This is an important question that requires a clear answer because a successful solution would have to be an improvement over the method currently in use.)

If you add or delete parts, do you want the 'total count' to automatically adjust based on the additions and subtractions?

Disclosure is the Name of the Game and the game has two rules:

Rule #1: Provide a thorough explanation(s).

Rule #2: Don't ignore Rule #1.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:30:37 GMT

These are all great! Thank you all for taking time to leave something useful/helpful.

@Michiel.Valcke custom drawing properties, that sounds exactly like what I want!

@ChicagoLooper thank you for your determined questions, I certainly appreciate your approach. I'm trying my best to describe my issues. There is so much. The parts may be regular, polylines or xrefs. Breakdown of number of blocks and type, that sounds very useful. Currently counting parts manually! Yes having it "auto" anything is my goal! I set up my autocad files to be read by another (nesting) software so I add string syntax to my part's geometry as well for all parts to be read. Managing the autocad file more efficiently is something I am seeking tips for if I can accurately describe my process...

I draw parts (1000+ per project) and then have to revise certain ones all in a "master file" for each project. Many parts are alike or the same, yet have to be classified on different drawings for different units. I modify some parts geometry for machining allowances prior to nesting. I use another software for nesting and import a copy of the "master file" so I can bind the xrefs to the drawing copy without losing the xref control with the master file ( in case they make changes after I have nested). Once the parts are nested I have to modify certain parts back to true/exact size. I hope that makes sense. Thank you for your help!

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:35:25 GMT

@Kent1Cooper I may be able to accomplish much with using blocks. I use them some times, but perhaps not in the way I could/should. I am going to incorporate some of this into my next project. Thank you so much for your help!

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Patchy — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:21:38 GMT

~~I think you can use Mtext and extract a cell in a Table, when you change the cell content it will update your text~~.

My bad, it only works with Numbers, not Text.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:26:15 GMT

@Patchy thank you I will try that. I typically will use single line text to make editing quicker, but if Mtext would work in this way, I will certainly adjust. Having the text be entered in one place to update another is my goal. Then that place that will be updated automatically, I want to have update other locations. Like a chain reaction. Thank you for your help!

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Patchy — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:30:48 GMT

I thought it works until I used text instead of number 😣

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:36:49 GMT

If it works for a number only, that still may be extremely useful!

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Patchy — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:49:56 GMT

The table is only used for holding the numbers, try this see if it can help your need.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:24:08 GMT

I can edit the table, but regenerating doesn't change anything. I'm not sure I'm knowing what is supposed to occur. It looks promising! Thank you for your help

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

Patchy — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:34:15 GMT

Probably my .dwg is an old format.

After made your Table and have the numbers in the cells,

Use MTEXT type in your text and when you want to reference the number, click in FIELD, use this setting (see photo)

Then double clicks in the Table cell to insert the number.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

atribo141141 — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:14:00 GMT

I think I need to study the basic elements of what you are describing. I will read up more in the knowledge center on these key terms you guys have mentioned. There are so many ways to do stuff in autocad and I am learning I am doing most all of my work the hard way! I appreciate the tips and files to assist with this endeavor. As a start, send me an example .dwg for a very basic thing I can learn to do. For example: Adding up values in a column and having a total field above it. Thank you.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

ryanlaughlin — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 18:38:53 GMT

This is exactly what I do, but it feels like a workaround to me. With that being said, it does work. I wish Autodesk would create a dedicated system for managing this type of information. Perhaps even a dedicated tab on the Sheet Set Manager Palette.

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

pendean — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:36:35 GMT

@ryanlaughlin you can ask Autodesk for future enhancements yourself right here anytime you want as often as you want, no one else is going to do it for you https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

You can also contract with a developer to cust0mize the program for your immediate business needs from here in the meantime https://servicesmarketplace.autodesk.com/

Re: Enter text in one place and have it update multiple other locations in a drawing

ryanlaughlin — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:46:02 GMT

Thanks. I know this. I would like to do it, but I'm strapped for time right now. I appreciate you providing this information though. I agree that people need to put forth feature requests. People should also vote on other people's feature requests to help bring them to Autodesk's attention.