Block to/ from Excel® and more...
1. Enhanced block info to/from worksheet (Ver 2.1.0 live)
Batch Export/ Import Block instances attributes text and Field, custom properties (dynamic props.), positions to/from Excel worksheet.
Multi files supported. Complicated blocks with Visibility states, Block Properties Tables, and Lookup tables are also supported.
1.1. App features
This App can read, edit & write back Block attributes, fields, custom properties of many blocks in multi drawings, including complicated ones which contain Visibility states, Block Properties Tables, and Lookup tables
Batch editing process is made easy with the help of Excel® Autofill.
Best for:
Batch filling Title block attributes with the help of AUTOFILL. With the latest version, user can clone/copy Field codes between block instances or batch filling attributes with raw text values.
Read and update device status with Multiple Visibility States dynamic blocks.
The typical workflow is Export - Edit - Reimport.
2 work modes:
For Multi-files processing, it's not necessary to open the drawing on-screen or manually select the Excel data range, just add files to the list, fill in parameters per file, and then export or import.
For active drawing processing, the drawing should be active, Data is export at Excel active cell and Excel data range should be pre-selected before import.
Exported /imported Information includes:
Block insertion point (X, Y, Z) & rotation angle (in radian)
Block attributes (Visibility state, Block properties table value set are supported) values
Block attributes' field code (if any)
Custom (Dynamic) Properties (Visibility state, Lookup table parameter, Block properties table value set are supported)
What's new in this App
Unlike classic commands (ATTIN, ATTOUT), this App can extract coordinates and layout names which are useful for sorting block instances.
Unlike the new powerful DATA EXTRACTION command, this app can re-import values from worksheets to update existing drawing block instances. Also, exporting/importing procedures are minimized to save time.
The enhanced version now supports multi-file processing with jet speed (10x-20x times faster than the Free version).
Typical working scenarios are:
Batch numbering, naming, resizing... title block instances: By using attribute / dynamic blocks as a title block, users can export attributes (drawing number/ name/ title...), and custom properties (paper size, visibility state...) to Excel. Editing attributes and/or custom properties... with the help of Excel Data Sort & Autofill feature. Re-import those updated values and the nightmare manual work of typing sheet number, title, revision... is done with ease.
Rebuild the drawing list from the existing attribute block (used as drawing title block);
Update coordinate attributes of block references: Export block instances' positions, copy new coordinate values X Cad, Y Cad columns to attribute column; re-import from Excel to update;
Exported block coordinates can be used for inquiry Station- offset, use Station offset for further sorting/editing;
Read, and update electrical, hydraulic... device status in a network.
1.2. Major improvements
From version 2.1.0, Field codes of attributes can be exported, edited and imported back to AutoCAD
From version 2.0.18, 5 new options are added for better dealing with super-complicated block. The first 2 options help hiding invisible attributes & custom (dynamic) properties while exporting, the 3rd option is for block with geometric constraints, the last 2 options makes it possible to apply values from Block properties table & Lookup tables while importing.
From version 2.0.10, 2 new options: "Unique Header" and "Multi blocks export per drawing" are added. The result of Export action now look nearly the same as Data Extraction command's result. Dynamic block with multiple visibility states also better supported.
From version 2.0.1, a new option "Single worksheet" is provided to allow users combining all title block attributes from hundreds of single-sheet drawings into ONE worksheet; No more puzzling Sheet set fields... Excel Autofill will do that for you.
From version 2.0.0, a new option for "Multi files processing" has been added. Processing speed increases 10-20 times compared with previous FREE version.
Notes:
To use 30-day Trial, user must sign-in Autodesk parent application with the Autodesk account that did the download;
To get more 30-day Trial, user may try the App Block references to/ from Excel® worksheet package
The 2 advanced options with exclamation mark: ⚠ Assign custom properties twice and ⚠ Explicitly open drawing before importing should be unchecked in most cases, unless you got unexpected results while updating block instances from Excel.
2. (FREE) Batch export/import block info to/from worksheet
Free Version: A powerful update for old ATTIN, ATOUT commands, with block coordinates included.
Feb 28th, 2023: Update to support AutoCAD® 2024
Feb 27th, 2023: Available in BricsCAD® V20 to V23 64-bit (Experimental App)
Free version does NOT support multi drawings processing.
Block with advanced features like Field, Lookup table, Visibility states are not supported
2.1. App Features
With this app, block references information can be quickly batch exported to/re-imported from Microsoft® Excel® worksheet.
The typical workflow is Export - Edit - Reimport
Information including:
Block insertion point (X,Y,Z) & rotation angle (in radian)
Block attributes
Dynamic properties
Unlike classic commands (ATTIN, ATTOUT), this app can extract coordinates, and layout names which are useful for sorting block refs.
Unlike the new powerful DATAEXTRACTION command, this app can re-import values from worksheets to update existing drawing block refs. Also, exporting/importing procedures are minimized to save time.
Typical working scenarios are:
Batch numbering, naming .... sheet layout frame: By using attribute blocks as frames, the user can export them to Excel, edit drawing number/ name/ title... with the help of Excel Autofill feature to finish the attribute values. Re-import those update values and the manual work of adding incrementally is done;
Rebuild drawing list from existing attribute block (used as drawing frames);
Update coordinate attributes of crosshair block: Export block info, copy new coordinate values X Cad, Y Cad columns to attribute column; re-import from Excel to update;
Exported block coordinates can be used for inquiry Station- offset, use Station offset for further sorting/editing;
2.2. An example: Create & update crosshair block instances.
Without the help of Civil 3D or Land Desktop, to create/update crosshair may consume lots of time. With AutoCAD only, it may required a combination works of such commands as: ATTOUT, DATAEXTRACTION then ATTIN.
With the help of this "Block info to/from Excel" macro, you only spend time to build the template for the first time. The next time work is to update coordinate values only
3. Known issues
3.1. Excel connection failure
In some cases, this App cannot connect Excel® in Microsoft® 365 (Office® 365). The NTCL Error message: "Cannot open Microsoft® Excel®" appears right after the App is called.
This error can be fixed by running "Quick Repair" on Microsoft® 365 (Office® 365). For more information, please refer to: https://www.NTCLSoft.com/home/troubleshooting
3.2. Online license failure
If you already purchase a license and suddenly receive a warning message like: "A valid license file not found Offline nor Online" then it is likely that the license query sent to Autodesk license server is not responded on time.
Solution 1: Wait until the internet line or Autodesk license server work properly, or
Solution 2: Request an offline license if you haven't got one. Follow the instruction below to collect your Physical computer unique info and send it to NTCLApp1@gmail.com. (Each purchase has one offline license tied to a physical PC)
