To Work with Editing Attribute Definitions

How to modify and apply block attribute definitions.

Edit Attributes Attached to a Block Definition

Use this procedure to edit attribute definitions, including tags, prompts, defaults, modes, text display, and other properties.

1. Click Insert tab Block Definition panel Manage Attributes. Find
2. In the Block Attribute Manager, select a block from the Block list, or click Select Block and select a block in the drawing area.
3. In the list of attributes, double-click the attribute you want to edit, or select the attribute and click Edit.
4. In the Edit Attribute dialog box, make changes on the following tabs and click OK:
   • Attribute tab. Modify the tag, prompt, and default text and set the modes, such as whether the attribute is visible, a constant value, and so on.
   • Text Options tab. Modify how the text is displayed in the drawing.
   • Properties tab. Modify layer, linetype, lineweight, plot style, and color properties.
5. If you want to apply the changes to all block references that contain this attribute, click Settings (Block Attribute Manager) and select Apply Changes to Existing References.

Specify Whether to Apply Attribute Changes to Existing Block References

1. Click Insert tab Block Definition panel Manage Attributes. Find
2. In the Block Attribute Manager, click Settings.
3. In the Settings dialog box, do one of the following:
   • To apply changes to existing block references (default), select the Apply Changes to Existing References option.
   • To apply changes only to new block insertions, clear the Apply Changes to Existing References option.

Apply Attribute Changes to All Block References (Block Attribute Manager)

Use this procedure to update all inserted block references to match the current attribute definition. This process does not affect attribute values.

1. Click Insert tab Block Definition panel Manage Attributes. Find
2. In the Block Attribute Manager, select a block from the Block list, or click Select Block and select a block in the drawing area.
3. Click Sync.

Apply Attribute Changes to All Block References (from Command Line)

Use this procedure to update all inserted block references to match the current attribute definition or to update block references with attribute changes that are a result of redefining a block.

1. Click Home tab Block panel Synchronize Attributes.
2. At the prompt, do one of the following:
   • Enter name, and then enter the name of the block whose block references you want to update.
   • Enter ? to view a list of blocks, and then enter name, followed by the name of the block.
   • Press Enter, and then use your pointing device to select a block in the drawing area.

   If you specify a block that does not exist, or if the block exists but does not contain attributes, an error message is displayed.

Remove an Attribute from a Block Definition

1. Click Insert tab Block Definition panel Manage Attributes. Find
2. In the Block Attribute Manager, select a block from the Block list, or click Select Block and select a block in the drawing area.
3. (Optional) If you do not want attributes removed from existing instances of the block, click Settings, and in the Settings dialog box, clear Apply Changes to Existing References.
4. In the Block Attribute Manager, select an attribute from the attribute list and click Remove.

   Attributes removed from existing block references might not disappear until you regenerate the drawing using REGEN.

Identify and Correct Duplicate Block Attribute Tags

Use this process to prevent unpredictable results that can occur when two or more tags have the same name.

1. Click Insert tab Block Definition panel Manage Attributes. Find
2. In the Block Attribute Manager, click Settings.
3. In the Settings dialog box, select Emphasize Duplicate Tags and click OK.

   In the Block Attribute Manager, the duplicate tags are highlighted in red.

4. Double-click the tag name to edit it in the Edit Attribute dialog box.