Sum Table Column

[ArchD]

Is there a way to sum a table column instead of just a table range? Excel allows you to use =SUM(B:B) to get a sum of all in the B column. This doesn't work in AutoCAD. Is there another way to do so without doing a data link to an Excel file?

[Otto]

Hello ArchD

It looks like you are looking for information related to datalinking between AutoCAD and Excel. Community members with similar questions found the following article(s) useful:

DATALINK (Command)

To update data links, use the DATALINKUPDATE (Command)

To provide an interface to external database tables use:DBCONNECT (Command).

[ArchD]

I guess I was too vague in my issue for Replybot to be effective.

My goal is to monitor blocks with attributes in my drawing. When the attributes change or blocks are added or removed, I need to make a total count of the attribute values. I can do this using Data Extraction and a table dropped into the drawing just fine if the number of blocks do not change. If I add or subtract blocks the range of the sum does not add up correctly. 

If I use Data Extraction and send it to an Excel file, I have more issues because the Excel file that AutoCAD extracts to will not let me do a sum of a column unless I convert the values to number. It seems that there is some sort of error that shows the number, but does not allow formula evaluation on them. The other issue I have with the Excel file is that if I add or remove blocks, I have to output a new data extraction and I would have to recreate a sum of the column every time.

Here is a screen cast of my issue

[ВeekeeCZ]

Just an untested idea - have you tried to add Number of Rows (object>selectt table>rows) as a part of the range definition?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

how about adding a summary footer into the table, defined directly during the _DATAEXTRACTION command (right-click into the column header to get the option)?

- alfred -

[ArchD]

That is pretty cool, I'm sure I'll find a use for that at some point. If I could get that as a header instead of a footer I would be able to link MText to the cell and have it update automatically. As a footer it jumps around if I add or subtract a block. 

This information will be used in a block of text for reports and other notes, but I'm lazy and would like to dynamically link the info into the text instead of typing it each time. Also it eliminates user error if I can get it to work correctly.

[Ranjit_Singh]

Look into reactors.

[ВeekeeCZ · Accepted solution]

Ok, no feedback from you - guess you did not get what I've meant. So HERE is the screencast to see how it could be done. And yes, it works.

Even if you can add one step to add another formula in between if your end of a range is less than the number of rows.

[parkr4st]

with C3D have you considered using the GIS functionality?

after edits and check in, the bottom of the data table has the message   Row     of xxxx. all built into your software.

dave

[ArchD]

The Field within a Field works great. This will work for now, thanks! The screencast helped out a ton.

I really like the idea of the Reactor and I am going to look into this to create a lisp that passively watches these blocks and has a command to drop in a block of text that is formatted the way we need and updates dynamically.

I like the GIS idea, but I would like to create this as a solution for everyone at the office, even if they use basic AutoCAD.

Awesome feedback on this topic, thanks everyone!

[Anonymous]

Hello!

I clicked several times on the cell where the sum should come up until a text entry bar appeared. Then Field, in Field names chose Formula, then Sum, then you need to select the first corner of the cell range as it's said down in command line, then select the second corner of the table range and Ok.