AutoCAD Creating Intelligent Tables+Schedules

AutoCAD
2007
Creating Intelligent Tables and Schedules
Autodesk Official ®
Training Courseware
(AOTC)
00127-050008-1745A
August 2006
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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Chapter 1: Working with Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Lesson: Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About Table Styles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Creating Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Activating and Assigning Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Exercise: Create a Table Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Creating Tables and Entering Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Editing Tables and Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Editing Table and Cell Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Exercise: Create a Dimension Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lesson: Advanced Table Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Using Formulas in a Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
About Field-Enabled Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Using Fields in a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Using Blocks in a Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Exercise: Use Advanced Table Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Lesson: Extracting Attributes to Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
About the Attribute Extraction Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Creating Attribute Extraction Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Exercise: Extract Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Lesson: Reusing Tables and Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Using DesignCenter to Access Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Using Tool Palettes to Access Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Exercise: Reuse Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Lesson: Exporting and Importing Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Exporting Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Importing Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Exercise: Export and Import Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
iii
Appendix A: Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Courseware from Autodesk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Autodesk Authorized Training Centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Autodesk Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Autodesk Consulting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Autodesk Developer Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Product Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
iv ■ Contents
Introduction
Welcome to the AutoCAD 2007: Creating Intelligent Tables and Schedules Autodesk Official Training
Courseware (AOTC), a training course for use in Authorized Training Centers (ATCs), corporate training
settings, and other classroom settings.
Although this courseware is designed to be used as a teaching tool for instructor-led courses, it can
also be used for self-paced learning. In addition to the coursework, this manual encourages
self-learning through the use of the AutoCAD® Help system.
This introduction covers the following topics:
■ Course objective
■
Prerequisites
■
Using this courseware
■ CD contents
■
Completing the exercises
■
Installing the exercise data files from the CD
■ Notes, tips, and warnings
■
Feedback
This courseware is complementary to the software documentation. For detailed explanations of

features and functionality, refer to the Help in the software.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
■
Use table styles to control the appearance of tables.
■
Create and edit tables to included advanced table cell contents such as formulas and
field-enabled text.
■
Extract attributes in the drawing to create schedules.
■
Use DesignCenter™ and Tool Palettes to reuse tables and table styles across multiple drawings.
v
Prerequisites
This course is designed for the AutoCAD user who possesses an intermediate-level knowledge of
AutoCAD or has been using AutoCAD for some time. Terminology and instructions assume this level
of experience when concepts, procedures, and exercises are discussed.
It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of:
■
The current or a previous release of AutoCAD.
■
Creating and editing basic AutoCAD objects.
■ Static blocks.
■
Attributes.
■
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or Microsoft® Windows® XP.
Using This Courseware

The lessons are independent of each other. However, it is recommended that you complete these
lessons in the order that they are presented unless you are familiar with the concepts and functionality
described in those lessons.
Each chapter contains:
■ Lessons
Usually two or more lessons in each chapter.
■
Exercises
Practical, real-world examples for you to practice using the functionality you have just learned.
Each exercise contains step-by-step procedures and graphics to help you complete the
exercise successfully.
CD Contents
The CD attached to the back cover of this book contains all the data and drawings you need to
complete the exercises in this course.
vi ■ Introduction
Completing the Exercises
You can complete the exercise in two ways: using the book or online.
■
Using the book
Follow the step-by-step exercises in the book.
■ Online
Click the AutoCAD 2007 Creating Intelligent Tables and Schedules AOTC icon on your desktop,
installed from the CD, and follow the step-by-step exercises online. The exercises are the same as
those in the book. The online version has the advantage that you can concentrate on the screen
without having to glance down at your book.
After launching the online exercises, you might need to alter the size of your application window to
align both windows.
Installing the Exercise Data Files from the CD

To install the data files for the exercises:
1. Insert the courseware CD.

2. When the setup wizard begins, follow the instructions onscreen to install the data.
3. If the wizard does not start automatically, browse to the root directory of the CD and
double-click Setup.exe.
Unless you specify a different folder, the exercise files are installed in the following folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\AutoCAD 2007\Creating Intelligent Tables
and Schedules\
After you install the data from the CD, this folder contains all the files necessary to complete each
exercise in this course.
Introduction ■ vii
Notes, Tips, and Warnings
Throughout this courseware, notes, tips, and warnings are called out for special attention.
Notes contain guidelines, constraints, and other explanatory information.
Tips provide information to enhance your productivity.
Warnings provide information about actions that might result in the loss of data,
system failures, or other serious consequences.
Feedback
We always welcome feedback on Autodesk Official Training Courseware. After completing this course,
if you have suggestions for improvements or if you want to report an error in the book or on the CD,
please send your comments to AOTC.feedback@autodesk.com.
viii ■ Introduction
Chapter
1
Working with Tables Chapter1:
Tables are typically used in drawings to organize data such as window and door schedules or
parts lists. You can use tables in any situation that requires a tabular organization of data. Using
table styles and tables in AutoCAD®, you can organize your tabular data in a way that is easy to
understand and share with others.
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
■ Describe and create table styles.
■
Create and enter data in tables and use grips to edit the table’s size. Use the Properties palette
to adjust table cell properties.
■ Use formulas, blocks, and field-enabled text to create advanced tables.
■
Use the Attribute Extraction wizard to create attribute extraction tables.
■
Use DesignCenter™ and Tool Palettes to reuse tables and table styles across multiple
drawings.
■
Share tabular data between AutoCAD and other applications by exporting and
importing tables.
1
Lesson: Table Styles
Overview
This lesson describes Table Styles and how they are used.
Table styles are the default method you use to control the appearance and properties of tables in your
drawings. Using table styles you can transform the appearance of tables and the data they contain.
In the following illustration, the NT-25 table style is being applied to a table created with the Standard
table style.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Describe table styles.
■ Create table styles.
■
Use the Table Styles list to activate a table style or assign a table style to a table.
2 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

About Table Styles
Table styles are similar to the concept of dimension styles: they set the format for tables in the
drawing. You create and manage them with the Tablestyle command.
You can have more than one table style, but each new drawing you create contains only one table
style called Standard. If you create additional table styles, use the Table Styles list on the Styles toolbar
to set the current table style.
Like dimension styles, if you make a change to a table style, any table using that style in the drawing
updates to reflect the changes.
The following illustration illustrates the effect of modifying a table style.
Definition of Table Styles

A table style is a collection of properties and settings that you use to control the appearance of
tables in your drawings. These properties include text styles, borders, cell margins, table direction,
and others.
In the following illustration, the callouts reference properties that can be customized with the
table style.
Separate text styles for the title, column head, and data cells.
Fill color for the title, column heads, and data cells.
Text justification options for the title, column heads, and data cells.
Border options for the title, column heads, and data cells.
Lesson: Table Styles ■ 3

Example of Using Table Styles
A typical drawing might use multiple tables for different purposes. For example, an architectural
drawing might contain tables for window and door schedules, in addition to a standard revision table.
In this example you might want the tables to have different visual properties. By using separate table
styles, you can control the appearance of multiple tables in a single drawing.
Table styles also allow you to create tables in multiple drawings, regardless of the designer, in a
uniform manner. By implementing and sharing table styles, you can provide access to the same table
styles by all designers. This would result in a uniform appearance of tables within your company, in
much the same way dimension styles and text styles are used.
Creating Table Styles

When you create a new table, its appearance is determined by the active table style. While the
Standard table style exists in all new drawings, it uses the Standard text style and the default settings
for all other properties. To customize the appearance of tables in your drawing, you must first create
a new table style or modify the Standard table style.
In the following illustration, a new table style is used to format the table. The text fonts, fill colors, and
borders are all controlled by the table style.
Command Access
Table Styles
Command Line: TABLESTYLE

Menu: Format > Table Style
Toolbar: Styles

Table Style Dialog Box
You use the Table Style dialog box to create, modify, and manage table styles.

New Table Style
Use the New Table Style dialog box to set the properties for a new table style.
Option Description
Data Use this tab to set cell and border properties for the data area of the table.
Column Heads Use this tab to set cell and border properties for the column headings of
the table.
Title Use this tab to set cell and border properties for the table title.
NOTE: Options on the Column Heads and Title tabs are identical to those
found on the Data tab, with the exception of an option to turn off the header
and title row.
Table Direction Select the table direction: up or down.
Cell Margins Enter cell margins for the table.

Table Style Guidelines
■ You control the appearance of all tables with table styles.
■
You can have more than one table style, but only one table style can be current.
■
Each new drawing contains a table style called Standard.
■ If you make a change to a table style, existing tables using that style update to reflect the changes.
■
While only one table style can be current, a single drawing can contain multiple tables, each
created with a different style.
Procedure: Creating Table Styles

The following steps give an overview of creating table styles.
1. Start the Tablestyle command.

2. In the Table Style dialog box, click New.
3. Enter a name for the new table style. Select an existing style in the Start With list.
Click Continue.
4. In the New Table Style dialog box, adjust the properties on the Data, Column Heads, and
Title tabs. Click OK.
5. In the Table Style dialog box, double-click the new table style to make it the current style.
Activating and Assigning Table Styles

You can use the Table Style dialog box to change the current table style, but the quickest way to do
this is using the Table Styles list on the Styles toolbar. You can also use this list to assign a table style
to a selected table.
Just like the Text Styles and Dimension Styles lists, the Table Styles list provides dual functionality:
you use it to set the current table style as well as assign a table style to a selected table.
Command Access
Table Styles List
Toolbar: Styles

Procedure: Using the Table Styles List
The following steps describe how to make a table style current or assign a style to a table.
1. To make a table style current, select the table style in the Table Styles list on the Styles toolbar.
2. To assign a table style to a selected table:
■
Select the table.
The Table Styles list reflects the currently assigned table style.
■
On the Styles toolbar, select the table style to assign to the table.

Exercise: Create a Table Style
In this exercise, you create a new table style and ■
Click Continue.
assign it to existing tables in the drawing.
4. In the New Table Style dialog box, Data tab,

The completed exercise select ROMANS in the Text Style list.
■
Click the Column Heads tab.
■ Select ROMANS in the Text Style list.
Completing the Exercise
■
To complete the exercise, follow the Select Yellow in the Fill Color list.
■
steps in this book or in the online Click the Title tab.
exercise. In the online list of chapters ■ Select ARCHITECT in the Text Style list.
and exercises, click Chapter 1: Working
■
with Tables. Click Exercise: Create Select CYAN in the Fill Color list.
a Table Style.
5. To force the title text to always be uppercase:
■
v
On the Title tab, click the Format [...]
1. Open C_Create-Table-Styles.dwg. button.
■ In the Table Cell Format dialog box,
2. Zoom into the tables below the floor plans.
select Uppercase in the Format list.
3. To create a new table style: ■
Click OK.
■ On the Styles toolbar, click Table Style.
■
In the Table Style dialog box, click New.
■
In the Create New Table Style dialog box,
for New Style Name, enter Schedules.

6. Compare your table style preview to the 10. Select the Window Schedule table and select
image shown following. Schedules in the Table Style list.
■
The Title cell should contain a cyan fill 11. Save and close all files.
color, and the Header cells should
contain a yellow fill color.
■
Click OK.
NOTE: The preview window will not indicate

the uppercase text formatting. But the text
will be formatted correctly in the actual table.
7. To set the new table style current:

■
In the Table Style dialog box click Set
Current.
■
Click Close.
8. Note the appearance of the Door Schedule
table including the initial caps format for the
title text.
9. To apply the table style to a table:

■
Select the Door Schedule table.
■ On the Styles toolbar, select Schedules in
the Table Style list.

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables
Overview
This lesson describes how to create and modify tables.
You can use tables in your drawings to meet a number of needs. For example, you might use them to
show revisions in the drawing, or to create tabulated dimensions, as shown.
The following illustration represents a tabulated dimension table.
Objectives
■
Create tables and enter data.
■
Use grips and menu options to edit tables and cells.
■ Use the Properties palette to edit table and cell properties.
Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 11

Creating Tables and Entering Data
There are three main steps to inserting a table. First, select the table style and size; second, place the
table in the drawing; third, enter data in the appropriate cells.
You enter data in the cells using the in-place text editor, the same editor you use to create multiline
text. To navigate the cells, use standard keyboard navigation techniques such as the TAB or
ARROW keys.
The following illustration illustrates typical data being entered into a table cell.
Command Access
Table
Command Line: TABLE

Menu: Draw > Table
Toolbar: Draw

Insert Table Dialog Box
To insert a table, you first select the table style to use for the new table, then select whether the table
should be inserted at a specific point or using a window. Under Column & Row Settings, you adjust the
options for the number of columns, column width, number of data rows, and row height.
Using the Specify Window option, you can dynamically adjust the number of cells in the table
based on the size of the table window you specify. When you select this option, the options
for the number of columns and the row height are set to Auto and you can specify the column
width and number of rows.
Guidelines for Entering Data in Tables

■
Navigate cells in the table using the TAB or ARROW keys.
■ You can enter formulas in table cells.
■
Cell formulas can range from simple math formulas to formulas referencing other cells, even cells
in other tables in the drawing.

Procedure: Inserting a Table
The following steps give an overview of inserting a table.
1. Start the Table command.

2. In the Insert Table dialog box, select the table style. Set the Insert Behavior and Column and
Row Settings options. Click OK.
3. Specify an insertion point for the table. If you used the Specify Window option, click two points
to define the table size.
The first cell in the table is automatically activated for editing.
Procedure: Navigating and Entering Table Data

The following steps give an overview of navigating and entering data in a table.
1. Double-click a cell in the table to start the In-Place Text Editor. Enter the required values in
the cell.
2. To navigate to other cells, you can use the TAB key to move to the right, SHIFT+TAB to move
to the left, or the ARROW keys to navigate in any direction.

3. You can enter standard spreadsheet-style formulas in the cells to reference other cells in
the table.
4. You can also select multiple cells using standard window selection methods.
NOTE: You must click and hold the left mouse button while you define the selection window.
If you release the mouse button before defining a window, a single cell will be selected. After
the cells are selected, you can paste a value from a copied cell into each selected cell.
5. To finish editing the table, click OK or click any point in the drawing.

Editing Tables and Cells
Once you have created the table, you will inevitably be required to edit it or its cells. Edits can range
from a simple resizing of the table to changing the contents of cells and adding or deleting columns
and rows. Each table, depending on its contents and your requirements, will require different levels
of editing.
In the following illustration, a simple text edit is being performed on a table. The same tools that are
available when you create paragraph text are also available for table text.
Table Grips
In the following illustration, a selected table is shown displaying the grips available for resizing or
moving the table.
The following list indicates the functionality for different table grips.
Position Grip Click and drag this grip to move the entire table.
Click and drag the grips at the top of any column to adjust the width of
Column Grips
the column.
Table Width Grip Click and drag this grip to adjust the width of the table.
Table Height Grip Click and drag this grip to adjust the table height.
Table Size Grip Click and drag this grip to adjust the table’s width and/or height.

Table Menu Options
With the entire table selected, if you right-click the table, options specific to table editing are available
on the shortcut menu. You use these options to make edits to the entire table.
Cell Menu Options

When an individual cell or multiple cells are selected, right-click
to reveal options for editing cells, rows, and columns.

Procedure: Editing Tables and Cells
The following list describes how to edit tables and cells using grips and options on the shortcut menu.
1. To edit the entire table:

■
Select the table to activate its grips.
■ Click and drag the grips to resize or move the table as required.
■
Right-click the selected table and choose options from the shortcut menu.
2. To edit individual cells:
■
Select one or more cells.
■ Right-click the selected cell and choose an appropriate option from the shortcut menu.
3. To edit the contents of a cell:
■
Double-click the cell to start the In-Place Text Editor.
■
Edit the cell contents using the same techniques you would use on other multi-line text in
the drawing.
■
Click OK to close the In-Place Text Editor.
Procedure: Adding a Column to a Table

The following is an overview of adding columns to a table.
1. Select a cell in the table.

2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Insert Column > Right or Insert Column > Left.
The new column appears to the right or left of the selected cell. Here, a new column has been
inserted to the right of the selected cell.

Procedure: Merging Cells in a Table
The following is an overview of merging cells in a table.
1. Click and drag to define a selection window. Do not release the mouse until the window area
is defined (2).
2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Merge Cells > By Row.

The selected cells are merged into a single cell.
NOTE: Only the contents of the first cell are maintained. If the other cells contain information,
it is lost.
Procedure: Copying and Pasting Cell Contents

The following steps describe how to copy the contents from one table cell and paste them into
multiple cells at once.
1. Select the cell whose contents you want to copy.

2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Copy.
3. Window select or SHIFT+select all the cells to paste the content into.
4. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Paste.

NOTE: If the cell being copied contains formulas of cell references, such as =G3 * H3, those cell
formulas are pasted using relative cell references.

Editing Table and Cell Properties
Tables, like other objects, consist of properties that are stored with each table, and originate from the
table style or at the time the table is created. In the same way you edit other objects, you can modify
table objects using the Properties palette.
In the following illustration, the background fill color that is normally controlled by the table style,
is being overridden by selected the desired cells to receive the new fill color and using the Properties
palette to change the fill color property. Unlike the property in the table style which would effect all
data cells, using the Properties palette enables you to override the property on specific cells only.
Command Access
Properties
Command Line: Properties

Menu: Modify > Properties
Toolbar: Standard
Keyboard Shortcut: CTRL+1

Table Properties
With a table selected, accessing the Properties palette reveals properties common to all AutoCAD
objects as well as properties specific to table objects. Using the Properties palette for example,
you can change the table style, adjust the direction, and adjust the cell margins. The changes you
make are reflected immediately in the table.
Cell Properties
With a table cell selected, accessing the Properties palette reveals properties common only to table
cells. You can change any property that is not read-only and the changes are reflected immediately
in the selected cell.

Procedure: Editing Table and Cell Properties
The following steps give an overview for editing table and cell properties.
1. Select a table or table cell.

2. Open the Properties palette.
3. Adjust the properties as required.
4. Press ESC to clear the table or cell selection.

Exercise: Create a Dimension Table
In this exercise, you create a new table containing ■
Click OK.
tabulated dimensions for the design. You enter static
values in the table as well as a formula that you copy
to other cells. You use grips to adjust the size of the
table columns and you use the Properties palette to
change cell properties.
3. Specify an insertion point for the table

as shown.
The completed exercise

To complete the exercise, follow the
steps in this book or in the online
exercise. In the online list of chapters
with Tables. Click Exercise: Create 4. The In-Place Text Editor is displayed with the
a Dimension Table. first cell in the table ready for editing.
■
Enter PART NAME and press TAB.
■
1. Open C_Create-Table.dwg. Enter A and press TAB.
■ Enter B and press TAB.
2. On the Draw toolbar, click Table.
■
Enter C and press TAB. Your table should
■
In the Insert Table dialog box, under appear as shown.
Insertion Behavior, click Specify Insertion
Point.
■
Under Column and Row Settings, adjust
the options as shown.

■ Click OK. TIP: The numbers are the same as the PART
NAME column but without the B prefix.
NOTE: If you need to move the table, select

the table, then move it by selecting the top
corner grip.
5. Zoom into the table.
6. Double-click the empty cell under PART
NAME. 8. Press TAB to move the last row in the next
■
Enter B762, then press DOWN ARROW. column.
■ ■ Enter =B6-76. This will subtract 76 from
Continue entering values in the cells as
shown, pressing DOWN ARROW to move the value of cell B:6.
to the cell below. NOTE: Do not confuse the labels in the
table with the actual cell letter or
number. Functions must reference the
actual cell location.
■ Click OK to close the In-Place Text Editor.
7. After entering the data in the last row:

■ Press TAB to move to the next column.
■
Use UP ARROW to move to the top of
the table.
■
Enter the values as shown for Column A.

9. Click the cell to highlight it. 11. Double-click the first cell in the last column.
■ Right-click anywhere in the drawing. ■ Enter the values as shown.
Click Copy. ■
Click OK.
■
Window+select the empty cells in the
column as shown.
10. Right-click anywhere in the drawing.

Click Paste.
The copied formula is pasted into the other
cells, maintaining reference to relative cell 12. Compare the values in your table to the
numbers. image shown.
Press ESC to clear the selection.
13. To change the header fill color:

■
Window+select the Header cells A–C
as shown.
■
If the Properties palette is not visible,
press CTRL+1 to launch it.
■ In the Cell area of the Properties palette,
select Yellow in the Background Fill list.

■ Press ESC to clear the selection. 15. To resize the table columns:
■
Select the table to display its grips.
■
Click and drag on the header column
grips and resize the columns as shown.
16. To move the table, click and drag the top-left

grip and reposition the table as shown.
14. Using the same procedure, set the PART

NAME column to use Cyan as the
background fill color. Press ESC to clear
the selection.
17. Zoom to the drawing extents.

18. Save and close all files.

Lesson: Advanced Table Contents
Overview
This lesson describes how to use formulas, fields, and blocks in a table. While simple tables use
standard text and numeric values, advanced tables may require the use of formulas, fields,
or blocks to properly convey the tabulated data.
Using formulas and other types of data in your tables is the next logical step in the creation of
intelligent tables and schedules. Even simple tables often require more than the standard text
and numeric data input.
In the following illustration, a formula is used to calculate the total for the cost column.
Objectives
■ Use formulas in cells to perform advanced calculations.
■
Describe and identify field-enabled text.
■
Use field-enabled text in a table cell.
■ Insert blocks into a table cell.
Lesson: Advanced Table Contents ■ 27

Using Formulas in a Table
Using formulas in a table, you can perform mathematical calculations within the cell. In addition to the
standard mathematical equations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, you can
also use formulas to generate the sum of multiple cells, return an average of values in selected cells,
and count the number of cells in a range.
To enter formulas in a cell, right-click a selected cell, select Insert Formula, and choose a formula
option from the menu. Alternatively, you could double-click the cell to activate the In-Place Text
Editor, and manually type the formula. If you choose the latter method, make sure to start each
formula with an equal sign (=).
In the following illustration, a formula is being created that will result in the sum of cells A3 through A6.
Command Access
Insert Formula
Menu: Right-click a selected cell > Insert Formula > Choose Formula Option

Table Formulas
The following table illustrates the available formulas and examples of their results.
Formula Example Description

Sum =SUM(A1:A5) Returns the sum of cells A1 through A5.
Average =AVERAGE(A1:A5) Returns the average of values in cells A1 through A5.
Count =COUNT(A1:B5) Returns the number of cells in columns A and B,
rows 1 through 5.
NOTE: Only cells with numeric values are considered.
Cell =Table(2130477568).A5 Returns the value of a cell in another table. The number
in parentheses is the object identifier for the other table.
The cell in the other table must contain a numeric value.
Equation =A1*A5 Standard spreadsheet-type equation. In this example,
the value of A1 is multiplied by the value of A5.
Cell Range Selection

When your formula references cells, you are prompted to select the first corner of the cell range,
followed by the second corner of the cell range. Using standard window selection methods, you
define the cell range by selecting two points as shown in the following image.
You can also specify cell ranges manually by typing the range within parentheses, for example (B3:E4).
Guidelines for Using Formulas

■
All formulas must begin with an equal sign (=).
■ The SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT formulas ignore empty cells and cells that do not resolve to
numeric values.
■
Other formulas display an error (#) if any cell in the formula is empty or contains nonnumeric data.

Procedure: Using an Equation in a Table Cell
The following steps describe how to use an equation in a table cell.
1. Select the cell that will receive the new formula.

2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Insert Formula > Equation.
3. Enter the equation in the cell. In this case the equation includes cell references.
4. Click OK on the Text Formatting toolbar.

The equation result appears in the field.
Procedure: Calculating the Sum of Multiple Cells

The following is an overview of entering a Sum formula for multiple table cells.
1. Select the cell that will receive the Sum equation.

2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Insert Formula > Sum.
3. Define a window around the cells to be included in the sum formula.

4. Click OK on the Text Formatting toolbar.
The result appears in the cell. In some cases, you might need to right-click the cell and select
Edit Field to edit the format of the cell; for example, to include the $ prefix and adjust the
precision values as shown in the following image.
About Field-Enabled Text

With field-enabled text, you can associate annotation content with other objects in the drawing or
with drawing properties. This association creates a dynamic link whereby the text objects can
automatically update based on changes in the associated objects or properties.
In the following illustration, field-enabled text that is associated to a block attribute is used to display
the revision comment attribute that is created when the revision label block is inserted.
Definition of Field Enabled Text

When you create field-enabled text, special codes are embedded in the text object that create
an association between the text object and other objects in the drawing or drawing properties.
The following illustration shows an example of the field expression used in a typical field-enabled text
object. This expression is automatically generated based on the type of field you define in the Field
dialog box.

Example of Field-Enabled Text
In the following illustration, the Field Expression that is displayed in the Field dialog box results in text
that is shown in the table. In this example, the field-enabled text is associated with the date on which
the file was last saved.
Using Fields in a Table

Because table cells contain text objects, you can enhance them with fields in the same way you
enhance standard text objects with fields.
In the following illustration, field-enabled text is used in a table to show the date the file was saved
and the comments associated with the revision label.
Command Access
Insert Field
Toolbar: Text Formatting

Keyboard Shortcut: CTRL+F while creating or editing text.
Right-click > Insert Field while creating text.
Right-click > Edit Field while editing field text.
Double-click field text while editing text.

The Field Dialog Box
In the Field dialog box, you select the field name from the list of field names. The formatting options
differ depending on the field name you select. In the following illustration, the Object field name is
selected. This makes the Select Object button available near the Object Type field. Based on the type
of object you select, object properties are made available in the Property list. Depending on the type
of field you define, different format options are available for you to format the resulting field text.
As you select and format the field, the Field expression is displayed in the bottom of the Field dialog
box. Click OK to add the field to the text and return to text editing mode.
Procedure: Using Fields in a Table

The following steps describe how to use fields in a table.
1. Right-click a selected cell in the table. Click Insert Field.

2. In the Field dialog box, select the appropriate Field category.
3. Select the Field in the Field Names list.
4. Select the appropriate field property and formatting options.
NOTE: Some fields require you to select an object in the drawing. Click the Select Objects
button to temporarily hide the dialog box and select an object.
5. Click OK to place the resulting field in the text object.

Using Blocks in a Table
In addition to text, formulas, and fields, you can include blocks within table cells. When you use
the Insert Block option for a table, you can control the justification, scale, and rotation of the block.
In the following illustration, a revision label block is shown in the table cell.
Command Access
Insert Block
Menu: Right-click a selected cell > Insert Block
Insert a Block in a Table Cell

You use the Insert a Block in a Table Cell dialog box to select the block and adjust the insertion
properties. Use the options in the Cell Alignment list to adjust the position of the block within the
cell. By default, the AutoFit option is selected, but you can clear that option and manually enter a scale
factor. You can also rotate the block by entering a rotational angle. If the block contains attributes,
the Edit Attributes dialog box is displayed.
Procedure: Using Blocks in a Table

The following steps describe how to use blocks in a table.
1. Right-click a selected cell in the table. Click Insert Block.

2. In the Insert a Block in a Table Cell dialog box, select the appropriate block, adjust the
properties, and click OK.

Exercise: Use Advanced Table Contents
In this exercise, you edit the schedule tables to add
4. Double-click the merged cell to add text.
a new row that is used to display the total cost for the
■
doors and windows. You add a revision block to the On the Text Formatting toolbar, click the
drawing and include it in the revision table along Right button.
with field-enabled text that will automatically track ■
Enter Total:.
and enter the date of the saved revision and ■
Click OK.
comments from the revision label.

5. To format the column to display the correct
exercise. In the online list of chapters decimals and currency:
and exercises, click Chapter 1: Working ■
Window select all cells in the COST
with Tables. Click Exercise: Use Advanced column.
Table Contents. ■ Right-click the selected cells. Click
Format.
■
1. Open C_Advanced-Table-Contents.dwg. In the Table Cell Format dialog box,
select Decimal Number.
2. Zoom into the Door Schedule table. ■ In the Format list, select Decimal.
3. To add a row and merge cells: ■
In the Precision List, select 0.00.
■
■
Select any cell on the bottom row. Click Additional Format.
■ ■ In the Additional Format dialog box,
Right-click the cell. Click Insert Row >
Below. for Prefix, enter $.
■
■
Window select five of the six rows. Click OK.
■ ■ Click OK to close the Table Cell format
Right-click the selected rows. Click
Merge Cells > By Row. dialog box.
Your table should appear as shown.

6. Confirm the table column formatting as ■ Enter Added Total Cells for the Revision
shown. Comments.
NOTE: The Revision Comments attribute is

invisible and will not be displayed on
the block.
7. To add a formula:
■ Select the lower-right corner cell, right-
click, and select Insert Formula > Sum. 10. Save the drawing.
■
Window select the cells in the Cost
column as shown. 11. Zoom into the Revision Table in the lower-
■
right corner of the drawing.
On the Text Formatting toolbar, click OK.
12. To add a block to the table:
■ Select the cell on the first blank row of
the NUMBER column.
■
Right-click the selected cell. Click Insert
Block.
■
In the Insert a Block in a Table Cell dialog
box, select Rev-Label in the Name list.
■ In the Cell alignment list, select Middle
Center.
■
Click OK.
■ In the Enter Attributes dialog box, enter 1
and Added Total Cells in the
8. Repeat the previous steps on the Window appropriate fields.
Schedule table.
13. To add field-enabled text:

■
Select the blank DATE cell.
■ Right-click the cell. Click Insert Field.
9. Insert the Rev-Label block above the
Schedule tables. ■
In the Field dialog box, select Date &
■
When you are prompted, enter 1 for the Time in the Field Category list.
■ In the Field Names list, select SaveDate.
Revision Number.

■
In the Examples list, select the third
option.
■
Click OK.
■
Press ESC.
14. Select the blank COMMENTS cell.

■
Right-click the selected cell. Click Insert
Field.
■
In the Field dialog box, select Objects in
the Field Category list.
■ In the Field Names list, select Object.
■
Click the Select Object button and select
the Rev-Label block between the
schedule tables.
■
In the Property list, select
REVCOMMENTS.
■ Click OK.
■
Press ESC.
15. Compare your revision table to the image
shown.
NOTE: The date will be different from the
image shown.

Lesson: Extracting Attributes to Tables
Overview
This lesson describes how to create schedules and tables by extracting data from blocks in
the drawing.
Drawings typically contain other types of information in addition to the objects that are visible.
In many cases, the textual information contained in attributes and other properties is just as important
as the geometry. Creating schedules and parts lists is a single example of how this information is
often used.
In the following illustration, a door schedule is created by extracting attributes from the drawing.
Objectives
■ Describe the Attribute Extraction Wizard and its options.
■
Create attribute extraction tables.

About the Attribute Extraction Wizard
Attributed blocks can return tabulated information for use in data management applications such as
Microsoft® Excel®. In addition to textual information in the value field, attributed blocks can contain
numerical values, such as square footage values. This allows you to perform mathematical equations
on attribute data in the drawing.
The Attribute Extraction wizard automates the process of selecting, tabulating, and exporting
attribute data into an array of formats. You can extract attribute information to an external file or to
a table in the drawing.
Command Access
Attribute Extraction
Command Line: EATTEXT

Menu: Tools > Attribute Extraction
Toolbar: Modify II
Lesson: Extracting Attributes to Tables ■ 39

Attribute Extraction Wizard
Using the Attribute Extraction wizard, you can navigate through the process of selecting attributes for
extraction. You can then save the data to your choice of formats for use in other applications.
Data Source
On page 2 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, select the appropriate data source option.

Attribute Extraction - Additional Settings
Because of the abundance of information that can be included in a drawing, especially those
containing external references (xrefs), the Attribute Extraction - Additional Settings dialog box
provides options for the treatment of xrefs and nested blocks. To access this dialog box, click the
Additional Settings button on Page 2 of the Attribute Extraction wizard.
For example, if an architectural xref contains attributed door blocks, the Include Blocks in Xrefs check
box would prove significant in the data extraction. On the other hand, if the architectural xref was
intended as a base plan only, clearing the check box would result in the desired data.
Attribute Selection
On page 3 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, select the blocks and attributes or properties you would
like to extract. Use the Exclude check boxes to assist in the filtering of block information. When all the
drawing blocks are selected, the Exclude Blocks Without Attributes check box reduces the number of
blocks in the list.
In addition to attributes, the current values associated with dynamic block parameters can also be
extracted. In the following illustration, the Bed length, Bed size, and Bed width properties are all
dynamic block parameters. These values appear in the attribute extraction table in exactly the same
way that attributes would appear.
When the Exclude General Block Properties box is checked, properties that are not attribute-specific
are cleared from the list. These include properties for the Scale, Position, Rotation, Linetype,
Lineweight, Layer, and Plot Style, and other properties that may not be useful in the final
data extraction.

Attribute Extraction - Finalize Output
On Page 5 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, you finalize output of the tables by dragging columns
into the correct order, and selecting the column header to sort the table data.
In the Extract Attribute Data To area, select the appropriate option to extract the data to an AutoCAD
table in the current drawing, or to an external file.
Title and Style Selection

On page 5 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, enter a title for the table and select a style. Use the
Display Tray Notification When Data Needs Refreshing option to be notified if updates to attributes
affect data in the table.

Attribute Templates
Attribute templates steer the placement of attribute tags and values in a structured format for more
elegant import into other applications.
The first time you work on a drawing where you need to extract and format attribute data, the
Attribute Extraction wizard automates the creation of a template. After you establish the settings
for the extraction, you use the Save Template phase of the wizard to save the template as a Block
Template File (BLK). The Save Template option is on the last page of the Attribute Extraction wizard
(Page 6 of 6).
In addition to user-specified criteria, the block name and quantity fields are included in all template
files. When you need the same extraction criteria and settings again, you can specify the BLK file to use
when you begin the wizard.
Creating Attribute Extraction Tables

When you extract attributes, you have the choice of extracting the data to an external file, or to a table
in the drawing. If you are going to do the latter, it is important that you understand the role table styles
play in the resulting table.
When you extract the attribute to a table in the drawing, you are given the option of selecting
the Standard table style or a custom style that you have created. If you have not yet created a custom
style for your attribute tables, you can create one at any time, and then adjust the properties of
the existing tables to use the new table style. You can do this in a manner similar to changing the
dimension style of an existing dimension. Select the table in the drawing, then select the table style
from the Styles toolbar.
Procedure: Extracting Attributes to a Table

The following steps give an overview for extracting attributes to an AutoCAD table.
1. Start the Attribute Extraction wizard and select the option to create a table from scratch or use
a table extraction template.

2. Select the data source that contains the attributes.
3. Select the blocks and attributes to extract.
4. Adjust the column order and data sorting and choose the destination for the data.
5. If you are extracting data to an AutoCAD table, enter a title for the table and select a table style
or create a new one.

6. Insert the table into the drawing, then use standard table editing methods to edit or add
additional cells and formulas.
Table Update Notification

If changes to the drawing occur that relate to any of the blocks or attributes that are included in the
table, the Attribute Table Update Notification appears in the AutoCAD Status Tray. Click the Refresh
table data link, to update the attributed extraction table.
NOTE: This notification is triggered as the result of any change in the drawing that may effect the table
data. This includes edits to attribute data or inserting and deleting related blocks.
Attribute Extraction Table Update

Before you make any manual edits to the table, you need to keep in mind that if the table is refreshed
as the result of the blocks or attributes changing, your manual edits are lost. For this reason, you
should not manually edit the table until you are relatively sure the content will not require updating.
The dialog box in the following image appears each time you refresh an attributes extraction table
in the drawing. Read the message carefully before you click OK. Once familiar with the effect of
refreshing the table data, you can select the option to prevent the dialog box from being shown.

Exercise: Extract Attributes
In this exercise, you extract attributes to create tables for door and window schedules. You add a Total column
and row and add the necessary equations to the cells in tables.

To complete the exercise, follow the steps in this book or in the online exercise. In the online list of
chapters and exercises, click Chapter 1: Working with Tables. Click Exercise: Extract Attributes.
1. Open I_Extract-Attributes.dwg. 3. On page 3 of the Attribute Extraction wizard:

■
2. Click Tools menu > Attribute Extraction. Select the Exclude Blocks Without
Attributes option.
■
On page 1 of the Attribute Extraction ■
Right-click in the blocks table list. Click
wizard, click Next. Uncheck All.
■
On page 2 of the Attribute Extraction ■ Select only the blocks that contain
wizard, make sure the Current Drawing the word “Door” in the block name,
option is selected. Click Next. as shown.

■
4. Select the Exclude General Block Properties Make sure Schedules is selected in the
option. table style list.
■
■
Click the Property column to sort by Click Next.
block property.
■ Select the attributes as shown in the
following image.
■
Click Next.
7. On page 6 of the Attribute Extraction wizard:

■ Click Save template.
■
In the Save As dialog box, enter door-
schedule and click Save.
This template could be used for
extracting the same attribute
information in a different drawing.
■ Click Finish in the wizard.
8. Select a point below the left side view as
shown.
5. On page 4 of the Attribute Extraction wizard:

■
Drag each column to reorder them as
shown in the following image.
■
Right-click the SYM column. Click Sort
Ascending.
■ Select the AutoCAD Table option.
■
Click Next.
9. Repeat the Attribute Extraction command.

■ On page 1 of the Attribute Extraction
wizard, click Use Template.
■
Click the Browse button and select the
door-schedule template saved
previously.
Even though this table will represent the
Window Schedule, this simplifies the
process of selecting the attributes and
sorting the columns, because the blocks
contain the same attribute names.
6. On page 5 of the Attribute Extraction wizard: ■
Click Next.
■
Enter DOOR SCHEDULE in the Title box.

10. On page 2 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, 15. Save the drawing.
click Next.
16. Zoom into the DOOR SCHEDULE table.
11. On page 3 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, ■
Select the first cell in the COST column.
select the Window block, then clear all Door
■
block selections. Right-click anywhere in the drawing.
Click Insert Columns > Right.
Your table should now appear as shown.
■
In the Properties list, confirm that
the same block properties are already
selected.
17. Select the last cell in the COST column.
■
Click Next. Right-click anywhere in the drawing.
12. On page 4 of the Attribute Extraction wizard, Click Insert Rows > Below.
note how the column order and sorting is Your table should appear as shown.
already set. This is a result of using the
template file. Click Next.
13. On page 5 of the Attribute Extraction wizard,
enter WINDOW SCHEDULE in the title field.
Click Next.
14. On page 6 of the Attribute Extraction wizard,
click Save Template.
■
Enter window-schedule. Click Save.
■
Click Finish.
■ Click Yes.
■
Select a point under the right-side view
and use object tracking to line up the top 18. Select the cell indicated in the following
of the tables. image.
■
Right-click anywhere in the drawing.
Click Insert Formula > Equation.

■
Enter =G3*H3 (the “=” sign should be The column should appear as shown.
placed automatically).
NOTE: Grip edit the second row of grips to
■
Click OK on the Text Formatting toolbar. increase the column width.
19. Select the same cell.

■
Click Edit Field.
■ In the Field dialog box, select 0.00 in the
Precision list.
■
Click Additional Format. 21. Double-click the top cell on the last column
■
and enter the text as shown.
In the Additional Format dialog box,
enter $ in the Prefix box.
■
Click OK.
■ Click OK to close the Field dialog box.
22. Window select all cells except for the last in

the bottom row.
20. Select the same field (1), then right-click and

select Copy.
■ Right-click anywhere in the drawing.
■ Press ESC.
Click Merge Cells > By Row.
■
Window select the underlying fields (2). ■
Double-click the merged cell.
■
Right-click anywhere in the drawing. ■
Click Paste. Click Right justification on the Text
Formatting toolbar and enter TOTAL.
■
Press ESC. ■
Click OK on the Text Formatting toolbar.

23. Select the bottom right cell in the table.
■
Click Insert Formula > Sum.
■ Select the cells for the sum formula by
defining a window from point (1) to
point (2).
■ Click OK on the Text Formatting toolbar.
24. Select the same cell, then right-click it.

Click Edit Field.
■
Adjust the field properties as before to
display a decimal precision of 2 places
and a “$” prefix.
■
Press ESC.
The new cells should appear as shown.
25. If class time permits, repeat the process on

the Window Schedule.

Lesson: Reusing Tables and Table Styles
Overview
This lesson describes how to use tool palettes and DesignCenter to reuse tables and table styles.
Tables, like other style-based objects in AutoCAD, derive their appearance from several property
settings. To reproduce these settings from scratch for each new drawing would be very time
consuming. To use tables effectively in a design environment, you must be able to easily duplicate
the tables and table styles.
In the following illustration, a new tool palette contains new table tools to create predefined tables
in any drawing.
Objectives
■ Use DesignCenter to access table styles in other drawings.
■
Store and access table definitions on tool palettes.
Lesson: Reusing Tables and Table Styles ■ 51

Using DesignCenter to Access Table Styles
Table styles consist of several properties that are used to control the appearance of tables in the
drawing. Like dimension styles, table styles are stored in the drawing. In order to duplicate the
appearance of tables across multiple drawings, you must either copy the table style or manually
recreate it. You can use DesignCenter to facilitate the easy reuse of table styles across
multiple drawings.
In the following illustration, expanding a drawing in DesignCenter reveals the Tablestyles node.
Selecting the Tablestyles node reveals the table styles in the drawing.
Command Access
DesignCenter
Command Line: ADCENTER, CTRL+2

Menu: Tools > Palettes > DesignCenter
Toolbar: Standard
Procedure: Using DesignCenter to Access Table Styles

The following steps describe how to use DesignCenter to access table styles.
1. Start DesignCenter.
2. In the DesignCenter folder list, locate and expand the drawing node that contains the table
style you are interested in.

3. To add the table style to the current drawing:
■
Select the Tablestyles node, then drag the table style from DesignCenter into the
current drawing.
or
■
Right-click the table style in DesignCenter. Click Add Table Style(s).
Using Tool Palettes to Access Tables

Tool palettes can contain both command tools and content tools. Tables can be stored as content
tools on a tool palette in much the same way as blocks and other objects are. When you add a table
to the tool palette, its current properties, including table style, are saved and stored within the tool
palette definition. This makes the tables very easy to use in other drawings because once the table
is added to a tool palette, it can be placed into any drawing.
In the following illustration, the custom tool palette, Schedules and Tables, contains two tables that
use the same table style but different row and column configurations.
Procedure: Adding Tables to a Tool Palette

The following steps give an overview for adding a table to a tool palette.
1. If tool palettes are not visible, press CTRL+3.

2. Activate or create the tool palette that will store your tables.
3. Select a table in the drawing.
4. Holding the right mouse button down, drag the table onto the active tool palette.

Tool Palette—Table Properties
Once you have added a table to the tool palette, right-click the table on the palette and click
Properties to use the Tool Properties dialog box to access and modify the table properties. The table’s
tool properties contain all the information required to create a table in the drawing, including the
table style. Unlike when you use the Table command to draw a table, the table style you choose must
already exist in the drawing. When you insert a table from a tool palette, the table style is automatically
added to the new drawing, including any text styles that were used in the table style.
Use the properties in the Tool Properties dialog box to define the table as required. The image
shown in the Tool Properties dialog box and the Tool Palette containing the table definition accurately
represents the table colors, and number of columns and rows. If you change these properties,
the image updates accordingly.
By default, the Table Style property is set to use the table style of the table at the time the table was
added to the toolbar. The other option for the Table Style property is to use the Standard table style,
or the Use Current setting, which would place the table using whatever table style is current at the
time the table is placed in the drawing.
When you add a table to tool palettes, the cell contents of the table are not stored. When
the resulting table is inserted into another drawing, the cells will be empty.
Procedure: Inserting a Table from a Tool Palette

The following steps give an overview for using a table from a tool palette.
1. If tool palettes are not displayed, press CTRL+3.

2. Click the desired table, then select a point in the drawing to insert the table.
3. Alternatively, you can click and drag the table from the tool palette into the drawing.

Exercise: Reuse Tables
In this exercise, you use DesignCenter to import
3. To copy a table style from DesignCenter:
a table style from another drawing. You copy
■
an existing table to a tool palette and modify its Press CTRL+2 to open DesignCenter.
properties, then make a copy of the table tool and ■ Navigate to the folder that contains the
modify its properties. You then test the two table student exercise files.
tools on the tool palette. ■
Locate and expand C_Reuse-Tables.dwg.
■
Select the Tablestyles node.
■ Drag the Schedules table style into the
drawing.

To complete the exercise, follow the 4. To confirm the import of the Table Style and
steps in this book or in the online supporting Text Styles:
exercise. In the online list of chapters ■
and exercises, click Chapter 1: Working On the Styles toolbar, select Schedules in
with Tables. Click Exercise: Reuse Tables. the Table Styles list.
1. Create a new drawing based on the acad.dwt

template.
2. On the Styles toolbar, select the Text Styles ■
On the Styles toolbar, select the Text
list and the Table Styles list to confirm that no Styles list to reveal the imported text
text styles or table styles exist in the new styles.
drawing.
5. Open C_Reuse-Tables.dwg.

6. To add a table to a tool palette: 9. To modify the table’s properties:
■ ■
If the Tool Palettes are not visible, press Right-click the new table entry palette.
CTRL+3 to display them. Click Properties.
■ Right-click a blank space on the Tool ■ For Name, enter 4 x 6 Table.
Palette. Click New Palette. ■
For Description, enter Draws a 4 row, 6
■
For the palette name, enter Schedules column table using the current table
and Tables. style.
■ ■
Select the Window Schedule table. Table Style = Use Current.
■ ■
Right-click on the table and drag it to the Rows = 4.
tool palette. ■ Columns = 6.
■
Click OK.
10. To test the Tool Palette tables:

■ Create a new drawing based on the
acad.dwt template.
■
Create two new tables using the tool
palette buttons.
11. Close all files.
7. To modify the table:

■ Right-click the table on the tool palette.
Click Properties.
■
In the Tool Properties dialog box, for
Name, enter 3 x 5 Table.
■
For Description, enter Draws a 3 row, 5
column table using the Schedules
table style.
■
In the Rows field enter 3.
■
In the Columns field enter 5.
■ Click OK.
8. To copy the table on the tool palette:
■
Right-click the table on the tool palette.
Click Copy.
■ Right-click the tool palette. Click Paste.

Lesson: Exporting and Importing Tables
Overview
This lesson describes how to export table data for use outside AutoCAD, and how to import tabular
information for use inside AutoCAD.
The need to use data from or provide data to other applications is a common requirement during most
design projects. With parts lists and schedules, the information is generally used by other persons who
do not require the use of the drawing file. In other cases, you may be required to import tabular
information to supplement your drawings with information that is otherwise not available from
objects in the drawing. You can accomplish each of these tasks by exporting and importing tables.
In the following illustration, a Parts List has been imported into AutoCAD.
Objectives
■
Export table data for use in applications outside of AutoCAD.
■ Import tabular data from Microsoft® Excel.
Lesson: Exporting and Importing Tables ■ 57

Exporting Tables
You can export AutoCAD tables to a common format that can then be processed in other systems or
opened and manipulated in standard spreadsheet applications. When you export a table from the
drawing, it is stored in a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. The CSV format is a universal format for
tabular data and can be read by most spreadsheet applications and other systems designed to
manipulate tabular data.
Because this format is universal and is essentially an ASCII text file, all style-related formatting, such as
colors and text styles, is lost. In addition, all formulas are also removed and only the resulting values
for each formula are exported.
In the following illustration, two tables are shown. Table 1 represents the table as it appears in
AutoCAD, while Table 2 illustrates the table data after it has been exported into a common
table format.
Command Access
Export
Menu: Select a table > Right-click > Export

Procedure: Exporting Table Data
The following steps describe how to export table data.
1. Select a table.
2. Right-click anywhere in the graphics window. Click Export.
3. In the Export Data dialog box, select a location and enter a filename for the exported data.
Click Save.
4. To verify the data, open the CSV file in a standard spreadsheet application.
Importing Tables
When your table data exists in an application such as Microsoft® Excel, you can import that data into
an AutoCAD table by using the Windows® clipboard functionality and the AutoCAD Paste Special
command. When you use this procedure, the table data is converted into AutoCAD objects,
resulting in a fully functional AutoCAD table that can be edited just like other AutoCAD tables.
In the following illustration, two tables are shown. Table 1 represents the data as it appears in
Microsoft® Excel. Table 2 represents the same table data after it is pasted into AutoCAD.
Command Access
Paste Special
Command: Pastespec
Menu: Edit > Paste Special

Paste Special
You use the Paste Special dialog box to determine how the data in the clipboard will be pasted into
AutoCAD. To convert the selected cells to an AutoCAD table, select the AutoCAD Entities option.
Guidelines
When you are importing table data, consider the following guidelines.
■ The current table style is automatically applied to the imported table.
■
Visual properties such as fill colors and justification are maintained when the table is imported.
They are applied to the table as property overrides and override the table style properties.
■ Supported formulas and equations are maintained; unsupported functions result in the cell
returning an error that displays as ####.
■
If an AutoCAD-supported font is assigned to the text in Excel, the same font is used in the AutoCAD
table when it is imported.
■
To remove property overrides, right-click the table, and click Remove All Property Overrides. This
does not remove specific font properties. To change the font, you must reapply the text style to
the selected cell or text.
Procedure: Importing Tables

The following steps describe how to import table data from Microsoft® Excel.
1. Open the Excel spreadsheet that contains the table data.

2. To copy the cells to the clipboard:
■ Select the table cells you want to import into AutoCAD.
■
Click Edit menu > Copy or press CTRL+C to copy the data to the clipboard.
3. To copy the table data to the drawing:
■ Open the drawing that will contain the imported table data.
■
Click Edit menu > Paste Special.
■
In the Paste Special dialog box, select AutoCAD Entities. Click OK.
■ Select a point to insert the table.
■
If necessary, edit cells in the table.
■
Click OK to close the Text Formatting table dialog box.

Exercise: Export and Import Tables
In this exercise, you import a parts list table into
3. To copy the cells to the clipboard:
an assembly drawing. You remove the property
■
overrides and assign the Parts List Table style to SHIFT+select all cells that contain data.
the table. You then export the table and compare ■ Press CTRL+C.
the results.
4. To convert the data to an AutoCAD table:

■ Open C_Import-Export-Table.dwg.
■
Click Edit menu > Paste Special.
■
In the Paste Special dialog box, select
AutoCAD Entities. Click OK.
■
Select a point to position the table as
shown.
■ Click OK to close the In-Place Text Editor.
The completed exercise NOTE: You may need to use the lower right
grip to resize the height and width of
the table.
exercise. In the online list of chapters
with Tables. Click Exercise: Export and
Import Tables.
1. Using Microsoft® Excel, open Parts List.xls.

2. Select cell F3 representing the total weight of
item 1. Note the formula used to calculate
the total weight is =E3*B3.

5. Double-click the first cell in the total weight 7. To remove the property overrides, such as
column. Note how the formulas used in the the fill color, and apply the Parts List style to
spreadsheet are maintained. Click OK to the table:
close the Text Formatting toolbar. ■ Select the table.
■
Click Remove All Property Overrides.
■ On the Styles toolbar, select Parts List in
the Table Styles list.
■
Double-click the TOTAL cell at the
bottom of the table and set the cell
alignment to Middle Right.
■
Click OK to close the In-Place Text Editor.
6. To change the number format in the ITEM

and QTY columns:
■
Window select all data cells in the ITEM
and QTY columns.
■ Right-click anywhere in the graphics
window. Click Format.
■
In the Table Cell Format dialog box,
select Whole Number. Click OK.
■
If the Invalid Table Cell Datatype dialog
box appears, click OK.
■ Press ESC to clear the selection set.
8. To export the table:
■
Select the table.
■
Right-click anywhere in the graphics
window. Click Export.
■
In the Export Data dialog box, for the
filename enter Large-Assembly-Parts-
List.csv.
■
Click Save.
9. To open the exported table data:
■
Navigate to the location where
you saved the data.
■ Double-click Large-Assembly-
Parts-List.csv.
The data appears with no formatting and

the values in the TOTAL WEIGHT column are
static numbers only. No formulas are
maintained.

Chapter Summary
Tables provide an easy-to-read format for presenting large amounts of information. By using tables in
your drawings, you can effectively organize information for data such as parts lists and schedules.
In this chapter, you learned to:
■ Describe and create table styles.
■
Create and enter data in tables and use grips to edit the table’s size. Use the Properties palette to
adjust table cell properties.
■ Use formulas, blocks, and field-enabled text to create advanced tables.
■
Use the Attribute Extraction wizard to create attribute extraction tables.
■
Use DesignCenter and Tool Palettes to reuse tables and table styles across multiple drawings.
■ Share tabular data between AutoCAD and other applications by exporting and importing tables.
Chapter Summary ■ 63
Appendix
A
Additional Resources ApendixA:
A variety of resources are available to help you get the most from Autodesk® software:
■
Courseware from Autodesk (AOTC, AOCC, AATC)
■ Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATC®)
■
Autodesk Certification
■
Autodesk Consulting
■
Autodesk Developer Network (ADN)
■ Product Support
65
Courseware from Autodesk
Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC) supports hands-on, instructor-led classes on

Autodesk software. It is also suitable for self-paced, stand-alone learning. Developed by subject matter
experts—and covering the most important features and functions of Autodesk products—this
courseware is the preferred product for learning design software.
Autodesk Official Certification Courseware (AOCC) includes Certification Exam Preparation Guides
that cover the knowledge needed for the Autodesk Certification exams.
Autodesk Authorized Training Courseware (AATC) is courseware developed by Autodesk partners
that leverages the expertise of industry leaders who use Autodesk software to successfully deliver
best-in-class solutions.
Real-world, Hands-on Approach

The examples and exercises in Autodesk courseware simulate real-world projects and job-related
tasks, so learning relates more to skills that will improve productivity right away.
Reaching All Levels

Autodesk has courseware titles to fit a wide range of skill levels. Beginners, advanced users, and those
looking for transitioning and migration materials will find a title that fits their needs:
■
Essentials titles teach the basics.
■
Transition titles help smooth the way of upgrades and migrations.
■ Solution Series apply a process-based approach to real-world projects.
■
Certification Exam Preparation Guides cover the skills required to obtain user Certification
on Autodesk software.
■ Other titles focus on advanced skills to improve productivity.
66 ■ Appendix A: Additional Resources

Available for Most Autodesk Products
■
AutoCAD®
■ AutoCAD LT®
■
Autodesk Inventor®
■
Autodesk® Vault
■ AutoCAD® Electrical
■
AutoCAD® Mechanical
■
Autodesk® Productstream™
■ Autodesk® Civil 3D®
■
Autodesk Map® 3D
■
Autodesk® Land Desktop
■ Autodesk® Raster Design
■
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop
■
Autodesk® Building Systems
■ Autodesk® Revit® Building
■
Autodesk® Revit® Structure
■
Autodesk® VIZ
■ Autodesk® 3ds Max®
■
Autodesk® Combustion®
Learn More About Courseware

To find up-to-date information on the latest official Autodesk courseware titles, visit
www.autodesk.com/aotc.
If you have access to the Autodesk partner extranet (“One Team Web”), visit the Courseware
section to check availability dates and to download preview copies.
Send Us Your Feedback

If you have comments, suggestions for future titles, or general inquiries about Autodesk courseware,
please email AOTC.feedback@autodesk.com. We value your feedback!
Courseware from Autodesk ■ 67

Autodesk Authorized Training Centers
Autodesk Authorized Training Centers are independent organizations that provide instructor-led
training on Autodesk software. Autodesk authorizes each ATC to deliver accredited, hands-on classes
to design professionals.
With 1,400 ATCs located in more than 75 countries around the world, there’s a good chance that
there’s one in your area. Visit the online ATC locator at www.autodesk.com/atc to find an Autodesk
Authorized Training Center near you.
Autodesk Certification
Autodesk users can gain a competitive edge with Autodesk Certification. Autodesk certifications
validate that you have the knowledge and skills required to use Autodesk products. Demonstrate your
software skills to prospective employers, advance your career opportunities, and enhance your
credibility. Visit www.autodesk.com/certification to learn more.
Autodesk Consulting
Make the most of your software investment with Autodesk Consulting. Offering a full range of
consulting and training services, Autodesk experts can help you determine and implement the right
solution for your business needs. Autodesk Consulting provides direct access to Autodesk technical
and project management professionals, as well as access to a global community of technical experts,
including Autodesk Authorized Training Centers, Autodesk Developer Network members, Autodesk
Authorized Resellers, and third-party consultants. Visit www.autodesk.com/consulting for more details.
Autodesk Developer Network

Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) members have created thousands of add-on software/hardware
applications and tools to extend our products for the building, infrastructure, media and
entertainment, and manufacturing industries. Visit www.autodesk.com/partnerproducts when
you need:
■
An Autodesk product customized to your specific industry, market, codes, or standards.
■
Help integrating Autodesk products with other software applications.
Product Support
Contact your reseller or visit www.autodesk.com/support to find technical support for your
Autodesk products.
68 ■ Appendix A: Additional Resources

AutoCAD Creating Intelligent Tables+Schedules

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Creating Intelligent Tables and Schedules

Chapter 1: Working with Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

This courseware is complementary to the software documentation. For detailed explanations of

Using This Courseware

Installing the Exercise Data Files from the CD

1. Insert the courseware CD.

Notes contain guidelines, constraints, and other explanatory information.

Tips provide information to enhance your productivity.

2 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Definition of Table Styles

Lesson: Table Styles ■ 3

Creating Table Styles

Command Line: TABLESTYLE

4 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Lesson: Table Styles ■ 5

6 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Procedure: Creating Table Styles

1. Start the Tablestyle command.

Activating and Assigning Table Styles

Table Styles List

Lesson: Table Styles ■ 7

8 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

4. In the New Table Style dialog box, Data tab,

Lesson: Table Styles ■ 9

NOTE: The preview window will not indicate

7. To set the new table style current:

9. To apply the table style to a table:

10 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 11

Command Line: TABLE

12 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Guidelines for Entering Data in Tables

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 13

1. Start the Table command.

The first cell in the table is automatically activated for editing.

Procedure: Navigating and Entering Table Data

14 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 15

16 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Cell Menu Options

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 17

1. To edit the entire table:

Procedure: Adding a Column to a Table

1. Select a cell in the table.

18 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

2. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Merge Cells > By Row.

Procedure: Copying and Pasting Cell Contents

1. Select the cell whose contents you want to copy.

4. Right-click anywhere in the drawing. Click Paste.

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 19

Command Line: Properties

20 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 21

1. Select a table or table cell.

22 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

3. Specify an insertion point for the table

The completed exercise

Completing the Exercise

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Tables ■ 23

NOTE: If you need to move the table, select

7. After entering the data in the last row:

24 ■ Chapter 1: Working with Tables

10. Right-click anywhere in the drawing.