Inserting Family Tables in Drawings (2025 SP1)

You can use the Family Table command to insert configuration data in drawings.

You can specify the table parameters in Tools > Options > Document Properties > Tables > Family . You can specify the family table template location in Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations > Show folders for > Family Table Templates .

If you double-click a family table cell to edit it, the software prompts you to keep the link and have the external model inherit the changes, or break the link to override the value. You can restore the broken link by clearing the cell.

Benefits: You can quickly insert configuration data in drawings without needing any workarounds. Family tables display variations in part and assembly configurations or custom properties in a table in SOLIDWORKS drawings.

To insert family tables in drawings:

1. In a SOLIDWORKS drawing, click Insert > Tables > Family Table .
2. In the PropertyManager:
   1. Select the file from which to create the family table and click Next .
   2. Specify options to define the family table.
   3. Click .
3. Click in the drawing file to place the table.

   In the dimension column menu or dialog box for family tables, specify Dimension Name for the column name. The name is specific to the drawing. Changes to the column name apply to all family tables in the drawing referencing the same driving dimension.

4. Optional: If you click Insert > Model Items and insert items into the drawing, the Family Table Dimension Name notification appears. Click Set Dimension Display to display the inserted items using the dimension name from the family table.

   

   To switch the display of inserted items in the drawing, you can also select the items to open the Dimension PropertyManager. On the Value tab, under Family Table Dimension Name, select Display as name in Family Table to display the items using the names from the table. Clear the option to display the items using their values.