Renaming the block

[fifL3DR6]

Hi guys,

I am struggling with renaming of blocks. I am unable to find a solution and don't believe it doesn't exist.

Target: rename block with generic name (e.g. A$C14AB1902)

Issue: as there are dozens of such blocks in a drawing, it is very unfriendly to look it up in RENAME dialog box. So I would like to create a macro using -RENAME command, however it prompts for block name so I cannot use (previous) selection. Even if I would like to do it manually, I cannot select-copy-paste block name from properities tab as it is grey and not selectable. It drives me crazy.

Please, what do I do wrong?

[h_s_walker]

Those are names given to objects you've copied from one drawing and used "PASTE AS BLOCK" into another drawing.

Unfortunately it always gives random letters and numbers so you will have to rename them one by one.

[fifL3DR6]

Thank you. I understand that I need to rename it. I just need to find a way how to do it. As I described, I could live with simple copying the block name into clipboard so I could use it with -REN command. But why can't I select the name from properities tab?

[cadffm]

1. The object you select is not a block, thats why you can not rename a block this way.

(You select a block reference)

That is absolut ok.

2. It would be nice to be change the block property value of your block reference (if the block is already defined in your file, by a pull down like the layer property have it).

This isn't working as designed.

It would be possible, but Autodesk doesn't offer this feature.

3. Copy(&rename) a block by block reference selection:

Possible and present in Architecture toolset (if i am not wrong),

but not in AutoCAD.

[pendean]

@fifL3DR6 Share your DWG file here with only this "block" and similar ones in it, lets touch what you are touching for ourselves.

[fifL3DR6]

Here is a file where I just placed 3 objects by Paste as block. In real life, you have dozens of such blocks inside so finding them in a list of all the blocks is a little bit tricky. You know, if there is not any other option, all I need is just to be able selecting the name from propertiy tab...

[cadffm]

A macro would be possible, but not for these blocknames, because DIESEL reads the "$" as control char, sorry.

With AutoCAD instead LT you could use a tool, but in LT this isn't available.

If you have a lot of blocks and/or this job very often, create your own excel sheet for block-rename,

if you have proper blocknames (without the "$") I can help you to write a macro to do this (2 clicks and new-name enter)

[fifL3DR6]

Thanks a lot. I will be always facing the $-names as they are created by Paste as block. It is not about large batch rename, I only need to rename one or just a few specific blocks then the excel way is too complicated. So I will keep writing the name down on paper... I just find it silly when select tool would solve it...

In any case, thank you (all) for your effort to help me, I appreciate it.

[cadffm · Accepted solution]

Open your TextScreen [F2]

select one block reference, start command LIST

(you can see the blockname now and if you like, copy the name)

..

no need to use a paper for it.

[fifL3DR6]

😄 Great! Thank you, that will help me a lot!

[steven-g · Accepted solution]

A Quicker method is to select the block and start the block editor command (type "be" and press enter) the dialogue that opens up has the block name already highlighted and pressing Ctrl+c will copy the name into your clipboard, from there press esc and then start the rename command and you only need press Ctrl+v to paste the old name.

[fifL3DR6]

Works well as well, thank you!