Trying to insert a drawing but can't select drawing file

Trying to insert a drawing but can't select drawing file

Anonymous
Not applicable
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Message 1 of 10

Trying to insert a drawing but can't select drawing file

Anonymous
Not applicable

I've been trying to overlay a drawing with another drawing to compare them and I've been using the insert command.

 

I can't seem to select a drawing though because when I click on the drop down menu to select a file the menu does not drop down and the file location goes blank.

 

I am able to select a drawing use the options on the left hand side of the file select window, however when I select a file and hit ok to insert it I get the message, "file name must contain at least one character". If I then exit the insert command window, I am not able to do anything in AutoCAD except move my mouse.

 

So it seems like the insert command has somehow be corrupted as any time I use it AutoCAD crashes and I have to restart it.

 

I have tried restarting AutoCAD and rebooting my PC, but neither of those have solved this issue. My next move would be to re-install AutoCAD, but I don't really want to have to do that.

 

If anyone has any suggestions on how to solve this, it'd be much appreciated.

 

Thank you

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Accepted solutions (1)
1,331 Views
9 Replies
Replies (9)
Message 2 of 10

imadHabash
Mentor
Mentor

Hi and Welcome to AutoDesk forum,

 

i suggest to install the last service pack for your AutoCAD version.

 

Imad Habash

EESignature

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Message 3 of 10

Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi,

 

>> [...] I've been using the insert command.

>> I can't seem to select a drawing though because when I click on the drop down menu

>> to select a file the menu does not drop down and the file location goes blank.

Not sure to understand where you are ...

 

When I start the command _INSERT I get that dialog:

 

20170504_205034.png

 

Now you wrote "to select a file the menu does not drop down" .... there exists only one drop-down (marked as 1), that is the list of the already defined blocks in the drawing, but not the position to select a file.

To get a file inserted you need to select the file using the "Browse" button (marked as 2).

 

Did I misunderstand something?
Or can you show a screenshot where you try to select a file?

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2026
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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Message 4 of 10

john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni

Hi @Anonymous,

 

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community! 

 I am uncertain as to what you are really describing with the INSERT command. Is it possible to attach a screen capture using the Windows Snipping tool?  In the mean time, I suggest that you also try using external references to see if you can attach another file. Type XR to bring up the manager.

 

 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

Autodesk Knowledge Network | Autodesk Account | Product Feedback
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Message 5 of 10

Anonymous
Not applicable

Sorry, I forgot to mention one step.

 

That is when you hit the browse button next to the first drop down menu, a second window pops up titled Select Drawing File. This is where the drop down menu I referred to is..

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Message 6 of 10

gotphish001
Advisor
Advisor

Not sure why it would make a difference but instead of hitting the open button, you can just double click on the file name and it does the same thing as selecting and then hitting open.



Nick DiPietro
Cad Manager/Monkey

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Message 7 of 10

john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni

Hi @Anonymous,

 

Is this happening in all your drawing files or just this one?  It appears that AUDIT found some errors in this current one.

 

If it is in all, please tell me if this is a new install, the AutoCAD version, the OS and if you have applied all the updates.

 

 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

Autodesk Knowledge Network | Autodesk Account | Product Feedback
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Message 8 of 10

Alfred.NESWADBA
Consultant
Consultant

Hi,

 

>> hit the browse button next to the first drop down menu, a second window pops

>> up titled Select Drawing File. This is where the drop down menu I referred to is..

Well, what happens when you have that dialog open and type in

C:\<ENTER>

in the file of "Filename"?

 

- alfred -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred NESWADBA
ISH-Solutions GmbH / Ingenieur Studio HOLLAUS
www.ish-solutions.at ... blog.ish-solutions.at ... LinkedIn ... CDay 2026
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(not an Autodesk consultant)
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Message 9 of 10

john.vellek
Alumni
Alumni

HI @Anonymous,

 

I haven't seen an update from you on this issue. If it persists, please try a Reset Settings to Default to see if the insert works properly again.

 

 

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


John Vellek


Join the Autodesk Customer Council - Interact with developers, provide feedback on current and future software releases, and beta test the latest software!

Autodesk Knowledge Network | Autodesk Account | Product Feedback
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Message 10 of 10

Anonymous
Not applicable
Accepted solution

I'm still not sure what the issue was, but after I rebooted my computer today the problem was gone.

 

I can now use the insert command without issue.

 

Thanks for all the input