AutoCAD 2019: How to turn the Fields Background Display off

By John Flanagan 

Introduction

When you insert data fields in AutoCAD such as room areas, the measurements are highlighted with a shaded background (see table below).

Fig 1: Room Schedule Table with Floor Areas

During training courses I often get asked if there is a way to turn the field display background off. The answer is simple. To turn this default display setting off, go to Options – User Preferences and un-tick the little box next to Display background of fields as shown in the options dialogue box below.

Remember that your printed output will not show any background shading whether the display setting is turned off or on. The shaded background is only there as a visual reminder that it is a data field and not simply text.