Stair Width - Parameter & tag troubleshooting

[Redrunner92]

TL;DR: Does the Stairs system family have a Width parameter? If not, why is this parameter given in Stair Tag families' choices of labels?

In my continuing self-education of Revit, I noticed something with Stairs about which I'd like feedback. I have been experimenting with Tags and have created a Stair Tag with a label for the parameter Width as shown on the right window of the image below. I then tagged my stair component and the tag value provided "?". As I usually do, I tried to change this to show a length using a few approaches. First, I clicked on the tag to see if it would allow me to type in a value: no luck, the tag would not allow manual manipulation. Second, I selected the stair component and looked in both the Instance and Type properties for a parameter called "Width," and noticed it does not exist. Yes, there is a parameter called "Minimum Run Width," but since this does not bear the exact name "Width," I imagine this is a different parameter. Third, I selected the Stair Run element and looked in its Instance and Type properties and again found no Width parameter, only "Actual Run Width."

I have concluded that stairs have no "Width" parameter, only the width-related parameter I mentioned above in my second experiment. Furthermore, this parameter is not available in a Stair Tag family. I did find out later that a Stair Run Tag has the option for the Actual Run Width parameter, so this will accomplish what I need. Nonetheless, I am wondering why the Stair Tag family editor provides an option for Width when no such parameter exists. Is this a ghost of a parameter which has been allowed to linger in each successive Revit version?

Left: Stair Tag family with the Width parameter used. Right: Project with a Stair component with this Stair Tag appended. I cannot find a corresponding Width parameter in the Stairs system family.

[barthbradley]

Stair Run Tag

[Redrunner92]

You didn't read my full post, did you? 🙂

[barthbradley]

HA! No. 

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

A Stair Assembly may consist of multiple Runs and Landings, all of which can have different dimensions, so it doesn't make any sense to include Width parameter. You need to use a Stair Run Tag to tag each Run and add Actual Run Width parameter to the tag family.

[Redrunner92]

Thank you for explaining, that makes sense. So the option in the label indeed does not have a use.

[barthbradley]

It has a use in other Tags. Keep in mind that Tag families can be recategorized.  

[barthbradley]

"Width" Parameter in Stair Tag works on the Stairs in the  Sample Project found at this Link:

Revit Sample Stair and Railing Files | Revit Products 2018 | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Ah, the good old days.  

[Redrunner92]

Nice find! Looks like Autodesk deleted the Width parameter for Stairs after Revit 2018. For good reason, too, as you mentioned and @ToanDN explained.

[barthbradley]

They revamped stairs completely then with the introduction of Component Stairs and Top Rails and what not. But the old geezer stairs, along with their antiquated "Width" Parameters, still remain in Legacy Projects. 

Ever wonder why there are brackets around some of the Line Style Names and not others. Those with the brackets are the old geezer Line Styles. They cannot be deleted because they are purposeful - and needed - if you were to ever open/upgrade an old geezer file.   

[Redrunner92]

Just shows that I didn't know much about Revit back in my high school days. I remember that stairs had to be sketched but not their different parameters compared to those of current stairs.

[barthbradley]

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@Redrunner92 wrote:

Just shows that I didn't know much about Revit back in my high school days. I remember that stairs had to be sketched but not their different parameters compared to those of current stairs.

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I don't remember much about my high school daze except for the drugs and rock 'n roll.