Things in Revit That Make You Go “Hum…?”

[#1]

Things that make you go "hum" indeed!  Have you ever thought to yourself, "Is there more to Revit that I can't find or see?"  If so, this post is for you.  Come explore some of the lesser-known features of Revit.  Who knows, it may help you work smarter and not harder.  Enjoy!

Project Browser Tabs

The Project Browser has tabs (All, View, Legends, Schedules, Sheets, Families, Groups, and Links).  When activated (clicked), each one will adjust the PB slightly to show just that content.  It’s cool.

Search within Component Insertion in Type Selector:

In the Type Selector, when you use the Component command to insert a family (i.e. wall, furniture, etc.), you get a “Search” line just above the dropdown list.  You can type inside this bar and the list will filter by what you type.  It’s cool.

 Properties Palette Sort Function:

 In the Properties Palette, you can sort your list by default order, from A to Z or from Z to A.  It’s cool.

Background Process:

In the Status Toolbar, in the bottom right corner, there is a circle made of small gray circles. These circles rotate to animate when a background process occurs, such as printing, saving, etc. It’s cool.

Available for Sync Icon:

In the Status Toolbar, near the Worksets buttons, there is a 3D cube that indicates whether the Central Model is available for synchronization. Click this button to open the settings dialog box. It’s cool.

Editing Requests:

In the Status Toolbar, at the bottom middle, near the Worksets buttons, there is an Editing Request button. This button displays a list of any editing requests by other users, making it easier to see who is asking for permission. It’s cool.

Parametric Services:

In the Manage tab of the Ribbon, Settings Panel, the Parametric Services tool is available for use.  This tool connects to the list of parameters you have created for your online/cloud-based services.  You can open this as an app or via a browser.  You have to set this up first (upload content within your ACC account).  Dig into this if you have to manage a ton of parameters.  It’s cool.

 

Analytical Automation:

In the Analyze Tab of the Ribbon, Structural Analytical Model Panel, there is a button called “Analytical Automation.”  This button allows you to create the analytical model elements of your structural model elements, such as columns, beams, floors, etc.).  This, I admit, is a strange feature.  Why you ask?... Well, before the 2023 versions of Revit, when you created your structural model, the analytical model elements were automatically created.  This was the default.  For some reason, in 2023 and up to the current release (2025), the automatic analytical model is NO LONGER created.  You must use this Analytical Automation Button to create the analytical model…. very weird.  It’s NOT cool.

Content Catalog:

In the Insert Tab of the Ribbon, Load from Library Panel, there is now the Content Catalog button. This button allows you to open the function as an app or within a browser. The CC gives you access to all the families you have uploaded to your central ACC hub. You must set this up first, but it’s cool.

I hope these lesser-known features help you with your day-to-day use of Revit.  Thank you for reading.