How to: Edit block attributes in Microsoft Excel

Block attributes is a great way to store information. You can give blocks an ID or specification. Let’s see the example below.

This is a floor plan. The exhaust block has specification information. They all are stored in attributes.

By having the information stored in block, we can extract the data later. Using data extraction, you can create schedule very quickly.

Now if you already have many blocks in AutoCAD drawing, editing the attributes can be tedious and prone to error. It would be easier to edit the attributes in table, isn’t it?

Export the attributes data

You can edit the attributes in Microsoft Excel. To do that, first you need to export the data from AutoCAD. You can use ATTOUT command.

Or you can access it in express tools tab, blocks panel.

ATTOUT and ATTIN are part of express tools command. If you don’t have it installed on your computer, then you can’t use it.

export attributes will ask you to define a file name (in .txt format) and select objects to export.

Editing the attributes

You can edit the file using notepad. But it may not be convenient. It would be more convenient to edit it in Microsoft Excel. And further more, you can use formula if the attribute should be calculated value.

You can open txt file in Excel and edit there.

Open Microsoft Excel, then open file. You can’t double click from Windows Explorer.

Change the file type to Text Files or All Files to see your exported file.

Click open. You will see import wizard. You can click Next to review the import settings. Or just click finish to accept default settings.

Usually default settings would be fine. Now you can edit the values.

DO NOT edit the handle column. It’s the block ID. If you change it, it might not imported properly.

After you finished, save the file. You may see warning because you are working in txt format. Just click yes, because we want to keep it in that format.

Importing the values

You might already guess the next step. Yes, you can import the value after finish editing.

You can use import attributes or ATTIN.

Command: ATTIN

Reading the input file… Done.
10 Block inserts modified.

This is very handy if you work with many blocks in your drawing. Editing block attributes in drawing would take a lot of time.

Now, what do you think you can do with it?

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
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