Data table name is already defined

[fieldguy]

I am posting this here because I discovered this programmatically.  If you have a dwg file with an object data table that is attached via XREF, you cannot define a table with the same name in the current dwg. 

To test: Create a new dwg file with an object data table called "tableone" with 1 or 2 fields.  Save and close it.

Create another new dwg file, attach the first dwg as an XREF, and you CANNOT create a table called "tableone". 

You get a "Table creation failed" error in the "Define Object Data" dialog, and a "Data table name is already defined" error in "Autocad Map Messages".

I don't understand this at all.  This occurs in Civil 3D 2016.  If someone with a newer release could try this for me to see if anything has changed?  

Is there any workaround?  

[norman.yuan]

@fieldguy, I have verified with my AutoCAD Civil2015, 2018 and 2019, all behave the same as you described: if the Xrefed drawing has OD Table, one cannot create OD table with the same table name as used in Xrefed drawing. So, I'd consider it is "by design"

[fieldguy]

Thanks @norman.yuan.  That's what I thought.

I think the only workaround is to create the table in the current dwg before the XREF is attached.  We are testing that now - seems ok so far.