Inserting Fields

You can add Fields to annotations, BlockAttributes and table cells. Fields let you update visible information such as modification date, drawing name, and author. For example, with Fields, you can keep text in title blocks accurate.

Fields are updated automatically when you save, print, or rebuild drawings.

You can update Fields in annotations manually with the RebuildField command.

To insert Fields:

1. Click Insert > Field (or type Field).
2. In the dialog box, specify the Field to insert:
   • Category: Delimits the field names in the Name list by category, for example Date/Time, Document or Entities.
   • Name: Determines the Field to insert.
   • Format: Specifies the format for the Field text, for example, lower or upper case for a character string or the date format for a date field.
   • Property: Displays the properties list of the specified entity. Specify the property to insert.

   Note: The options available in the Field dialog box change according to the specified Category and Name.

3. Click OK.
4. In the graphics area, specify the insertion point of the Field.

You can add Fields to Notes and SimpleNotes, and you can use Field names as default values for BlockAttribute definitions. You cannot use Fields in Tolerances. To insert a Field, click the Field button when you create a Note or SimpleNote, or when you specify a default value for BlockAttributes. At any time, you can use Fields to display entity properties.

Note: The Field command uses the current TextStyle and text size.

  Use the SetFieldDisplay command to specify whether Fields display with a gray background in annotations.

To insert a field in a table cell:

1. In the graphics area, double-click a cell of a table.
2. Place the pointer where you what to insert the field.
3. Right-click and from the context menu, select Insert Field.
4. In the Field dialog box, in Category, select All or another category.
5. In Name, select a field.

   The Preview area displays the default value of the specified field.

6. Specify the format and any other required option.
7. Click OK.

To insert a formula field in a table cell:

1. In the graphics area, double-click a cell of a table.
2. Place the pointer where you want to insert the field.
3. Right-click and from the context menu, select Insert Field.
4. In the Field dialog box, in Category, select Entities.
5. In Name, select Formula.
6. To specify the formula, do one of the following:
   • Click Average, Sum, or Count. In the graphics area, click the first and the last cell to specify the range and press Enter. At any moment, you can click Evaluate to display the calculated value in the Preview area.
   • Click Cell. In the graphics area, click the cell and press Enter.
7. Optionally, specify the format and any other required option.
8. Click OK.

   The cell displays the calculated value.

To insert a field in a text:

1. In the graphics area, double-click the text entity to switch to editing mode.
2. Place the pointer where you want to insert the field.
3. Right-click and select Insert Field from the context menu.
4. In the Field dialog box, select the Category.

   The Name list displays the fields available in the specified category.

5. In the Name list, select the information to display in the text.

   The current value of the specified field appears in the Preview area.

6. In the Format list, specify the format.

   Note: The available options vary according to the specified field. For example, when you select the Date field, the Format list displays the available data formats.

Access

Command: Field

Menu: Insert > Field