Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published July 2003

Extracting Attribute Data

Last month we reviewed the fundamentals of assigning attributes to a block and the result when that block is inserted into a drawing. In the event that you would like to tabulate the attribute information of the inserted blocks (i.e., not the information of an attributed title block), that's where the Attribute Extract feature comes into play.

Extracting the Attribute Data

Buried over at the end of the Modify II toolbar is the Attribute Extract tool. If you have muddled through creating your own attribute template before, this is a Godsend. This tool launches a wizard that steps you through the process for collecting the data. Make your choice for selection, then choose Next and make your choices regarding Xrefs and nested blocks, then Next.

If this is the first time you have used these attributed blocks in a drawing, choose No Template to open the Select Attributes dialog listing the blocks on one side and the attributes on the other. [An attribute template has no bearing upon what you may know as a drawing template; same word - different app.]

Use the Check All/Uncheck All buttons as necessary, then select the blocks and their associated attributes you would like to display in spreadsheet format. Although not listed in the Attributes list, the Block Name will be included in the extraction file by default. Click Next to move on to the View Output dialog. Click Alternate View to see if that arrangement of information is more useable, then Next.

If you will need this configuration again, choose Save Template to create a .blk file so you can select "Use Template" next time. On the final Export page of this wizard, make your selection of File Name, location and File Type for the resulting file. You have a choice of .csv, .txt, .xls or .mdb. The Excel file (.xls) is all formatted and ready to sort by header.

Note: Before you type a name in the File Name box, navigate to the desired folder first.

Attribute-related Commands and Variables

DDATTE - Edit the value of attributed blocks using a dialog.

-ATTEDIT - (Notice the hyphen); edit numerous other attribute conditions.

Double-click the block. In A2002 and A2004, this opens the Enhanced Attribute Editor.

ATTREQ - Set to <1>, you are prompted for the attribute values. If you set ATTREQ to <0>, however, the attributed block goes in with the constant or default values and you can edit them later. This is particularly useful when you just need to get the blocks in the drawing and can't take the time to respond to numerous attribute prompts.

ATTDISP (also set with ATTMODE) - The default value of <Normal> abides by your original visibility setting when creating the attribute itself. Set to <ON>, all attributes are displayed. Set to <OFF> turns off all attribute text.

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