To Create an External Point Database With Microsoft Access

Use Microsoft Access to create custom point databases, and link these databases to Autodesk Civil 3D by using external data references (XDRefs).

You can modify the sample database located in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\Sample\Civil 3D XDRef\ or create a new database.

1. Start Microsoft Access.
2. Select Blank Database and click OK.
3. In the File New Database dialog box, use the Save In list to locate a folder for future use.
4. In the File Name box, enter a name for the database.
5. Click Create to display the Database dialog box.
6. On the Table tab, click New to open the New Table dialog box.
7. Select Design View.
8. Click OK to display the design view of the table.
9. In the first table cell in the Field Name column, enter a name for the Index Column.
10. In the first table cell in the Data Type column, select Number.
11. In the lower part of the dialog box, verify the following information:
    • Long Integer is the Field Size
    • Auto is the Decimal Places
12. In the Required field, select Yes.
13. In the Indexed field, select Yes (No Duplicates).
14. Add any additional field names below the Index Column as needed for your point information, such as DESC 1, DESC 2, ELEV 1, ELEV 2. There are no restrictions on the names and order of the columns after Index Column.
15. In the first table cell in the Field Name column, enter the name of the Index Column.
16. In the first table cell in the Sort Order column, select either Ascending or Descending.
17. In the lower part of the dialog box, change the following settings:
    • Primary field must be Yes.
    • Unique field must be Yes.
    • Ignore Nulls field must be No.
18. From the View menu, choose Datasheet.
19. Click Yes to display the Save As dialog box.
20. Enter a name for the table and click OK.
21. In the Table dialog box, enter point information such as point numbers, elevations, and descriptions.
22. Click File menu Save.
23. Close Microsoft Access.