AutoCAD Electrical 2024 – What is the WDA file?

By Miles Nicholson

The WDA file is a text file which contains additional attribute information you wish to report on. Each report type has a set of predefined fields available to include in the report. The User Attributes command adds fields to reports that are not available within the set of predefined fields.

Select Reports ribbon tab > Miscellaneous pane > User Attributes

e.g.

The format of the text file when viewed in Notepad is:

{Type of information} (xdata/attribute/user attribute) “;” {attribute tag} + {column width} “;” {justification} (e.g. middle left=3) “;” {column title}

It's therefore easier to edit in the User Attributes command dialogue rather than Notepad.

Once added, the user-defined attributes will be shown as available fields within the reports:

The following naming convention and search sequence are used:

• <project name>.WDA is located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project.
• DEFAULT.WDA is located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project.
• DEFAULT.WDA using search sequence "A" (Note 1)

The maximum number of allowable entries in the .wda file is 150.

The following can be added to the User Attributes list:

Any attribute on components, including standard and non-standard AutoCAD Electrical attributes.

Xdata with a “VIA_WD_” prefix. Do not include the prefix when entering the field name in the list.

Note 1: Subdirectory search sequence "A"

1. Full path (if full path name given)
2. User subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\User\
3. Active projects .wdp file subdirectory
4. AutoCAD Electrical support: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\
5. AutoCAD Electrical support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\
6. AutoCAD Electrical support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\
7. All paths defined under AutoCAD Options > Files > Support Files Search Path