How Do I Change Multiple Text in AutoCAD?

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Changing multiple text in AutoCAD can be a time-consuming task if done manually. Thankfully, AutoCAD provides several efficient methods to modify multiple text elements simultaneously. In this tutorial, we will explore some of these methods and learn how to save valuable time when working with large amounts of text in AutoCAD.

Using the Find and Replace Tool

If you need to change specific words or phrases in multiple text elements, the Find and Replace tool in AutoCAD can be a lifesaver. This feature allows you to search for a particular string of characters and replace it with another string throughout your drawing. To access the Find and Replace tool:

  1. Click on the “Edit” tab in the menu bar.
  2. Select “Find” from the drop-down menu.
  3. In the Find and Replace dialog box, enter the text you want to find in the “Find” field.
  4. Enter the replacement text in the “Replace with” field.
  5. Choose whether you want the search to be case-sensitive or not.
  6. Select whether you want to search within all layouts or only in the current layout.
  7. Click on “Find All” to locate all instances of the specified text.
  8. Click on “Replace All” to replace all instances of the specified text with your replacement text.

Using Attribute Extraction

If you have blocks with attributes containing multiple instances of similar text, using attribute extraction can be a great way to change them all at once. Here’s how:

  1. Type “ATTEXTRACT” in the command line and press Enter.
  2. In the Attribute Extraction wizard, select the option to “Extract data based on an existing block or definition”.
  3. Choose the block containing the attributes you want to modify.
  4. Specify the output file path and format.
  5. Click “Next” and select the attributes you want to extract.
  6. In the “Output” section, choose whether you want to create a new file or update an existing one.
  7. Click “Finish” to complete the extraction process.
  8. Edit the extracted data in a text editor, replacing the desired text.
  9. Type “ATTSYNC” in the command line and press Enter.
  10. Select the block with modified attributes and update it with the edited data file.

Using AutoLISP Scripts

If you are comfortable with programming in AutoLISP, you can create custom scripts to change multiple text elements programmatically. This method requires some knowledge of AutoLISP syntax but can be extremely powerful once mastered. Here’s a basic example:

  1. Create a new text file using a plain text editor (e.g., Notepad).
  2. Type in your AutoLISP code, specifying which text elements you want to change and what their new values should be. For example: (setq oldText “Example”) (setq newText “New Example”) (command “-change” oldText newText).
  3. Save the file with an “.lsp” extension (e., “change_text.lsp”).