Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published October 2009

Multiline Attributes

The following procedure is based upon having a block, with or without attributes. I am using a block for a roll-up door in section. If you would like the block I am using for this exercise, you can download it here:
Download: Multiline Attribute_CTMC_1009.dwg

Ever since a customer suggested using the Block Editor to modify existing blocks (most commonly used in relation to the creation and editing of dynamic blocks), Refedit hasn't even been on my radar. And since I haven't covered Multiline Attributes yet, I thought I'd roll both of those together. (This is also a follow-up to my January 2007 coverage of adding an attribute to an existing block.)

Instructions to Add a Multiline Attribute to an Existing Block

1. Select the block to which you would like to add the attribute, then right-click and click Block Editor to open the Block Editor.

2. To add an attribute, type ATTDEF to open the Attribute Definition dialog box. [Ribbon: Insert tabAttributes panelDefine Attributes]

3. Specify a Tag value (no spaces), check the box for the Insertion Point, and specify your Text Settings.

4. To create a multiline attribute, under Mode, check the box for Multiple Lines, then click the ellipsis at the right end of the Default field.

5. When the multiline text editor opens, adjust the size to begin your entry, then enter the desired information. The right-click menu provides a few additional features.

6. Click OK to close the text editor and return to the Attribute Definition dialog box.

7. Click Close and Save the changes to return to the drawing.

Note: If you have an instance of the block you just modified in the drawing, use BATTMAN. (See October 2006). Click Select Block, then select the block to which you added the attribute. In the upper right corner, click Sync to synchronize all the other instances of the block to reflect the condition of the edited block.

Inserting the Block with Multiline Attributes

1. Use the Insert command and select your block with the multiline attributes.

2. After specifying the insertion point and the rotation angle (and possibly other single-line attribute prompts), the AutoCAD Text Window may open and you will see a prompt similar to the following, which displays the default attribute value entered when you created the attribute:

   Enter attribute values
   DOOR_NO: 800A [a single-line attribute originally in the block]
   INSTALL_NOTES - default value:
      Installation to be
      compliant with all State
      and Local codes
   INSTALL_NOTES <accept default>

3. Press Enter to accept the defaults shown for that attribute -or- enter new text for the attribute.

4. To edit the width of the multiline attribute, double-click the block to open the Enhanced Attribute Editor.

5. Select the attribute in the list, then at the bottom right, click the ellipsis for the Value to open the Multiline Editor and make your necessary adjustments, including the value.

Noted Anomaly (or "Bug", if you prefer) - If you have included a multiline attribute definition when you initially create the block, after inserting the block, you will be able to edit the width and move the position of that attribute as you do with single-line attributes - using the grip(s). If, however, you have used the procedure given above to add a multiline attribute to an existing block via the Block Editor, that multiline attribute cannot be repositioned or sized using the grips. I submitted an "improvement request" as soon as I discovered this, so we'll have to keep an eye on it in the next release.

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