AutoCAD Tip – Editing Block Attributes, Alternate Methods

by Dennis Collin

Someone asked me recently if there was a way to edit attributes within an AutoCAD block without using the normal attribute editing dialogues.

Of course, AutoCAD has many ways to do a given task and the two usual commands DDATTE and EATTEDIT are probably the most likely ways to do this. Double left clicking on an attributed block will also invoke the EATTEDIT command. However, this involves working with a dialogue box environment that may not suit some users.

One alternative method is to select the block in question and the edit the Attribute or Dynamic Block properties via the property palette.

To edit the attribute values globally throughout the drawing users could use ‘Find and Replace’ function. This can be applied to a controlled selection, or the entire document, via the Quick Select command.

Yet another option is to use AutoCAD’s Sub-object selection method, using the Control key (CTRL).

When applied to a block, users can select an attribute within a block and change its individual value as if it were an isolated piece of text. No need to Explode elements! I often use the same function to select faces and edges of 3D geometry to adjust solids and meshes as desired rather than the legacy functions provided via ribbon menus and keyed in commands.

AutoCAD is a very flexible program, and tasks can be achieved in many ways, from icon commands on the Ribbon, Right-click Menus, Drop-down Lists and Keyed in commands from the prompt. Indeed, I find depending on the time of day I vary the way I perform tasks. However, whichever method you employ for a task, if the correct result is obtained and completed in a reasonable timeframe, that way is the ‘right’ way!