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Manual / Dimension & Annotation

TABLE and DATALINK - Tables

Create tables (TABLE), fill in cells, export to CSV, and link to Excel files (DATALINK).

What it does

Command Alias Format Meaning
TABLE TB2 TABLE <rows> <columns> [column width] [row height] [text height] / TABLE CSV <file> Places a table
TABLECELL TCELL TABLECELL <row> <column> <text> Writes into a cell (counting starts at 0)
TABLEDIT TED TABLEDIT [row column text] Edits a cell of the selected table
TABLEEXPORT TBEXP TABLEEXPORT <file.csv> Exports the table to CSV
DATALINK DL DATALINK <file.xlsx|csv> [sheet] / UPDATE / DETACH A table that pulls data from Excel/CSV. UPDATE = read again, DETACH = break the link (the existing values stay)

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Annotate › Text & Tables › Table (opens the settings window)

Steps from the Ribbon

  1. Click Table. The settings window opens.
  2. Set the Table style, Rows, Columns, Column width, Row height, and Text height.
  3. Click OK — Pick insertion point, then click the top-left corner of the table.
  4. Double-click a cell to type. Drag the blue Grips to resize rows/columns.

Table settings window
Table settings window

Steps from the Command line

  1. Type TABLE 4 3 40 8 4 (text height 4), then click the top-left corner (the table stays selected).
  2. Fill in each cell: TABLECELL 0 0 ITEM, TABLECELL 0 1 PART, ...

Part list table with 4 rows and 3 columns
Part list table with 4 rows and 3 columns

Note: The table keeps its values inside the drawing, so anyone you send the drawing to can see the data even without the Excel file. When you export to DXF, the table is broken into lines and text.

Try it: Parts list for a motor starter panel

The parts list that goes on the drawing of a small direct-on-line motor starter: breaker, contactor, overload, two push-buttons and the terminals. Built with typed commands, then exported for purchasing.

  1. Type TABLE 7 4 50 8 3.5 (7 rows, 4 columns, 50 wide, 8 high, text 3.5) and click the top-left corner. The new table stays selected.
  2. Header row: TABLECELL 0 0 ITEM, TABLECELL 0 1 PART, TABLECELL 0 2 QTY, TABLECELL 0 3 TAG.
  3. Fill rows 1 to 6 the same way (or double-click each cell):
Row ITEM PART QTY TAG
1 1 MCB 3P 16A 1 Q1
2 2 CONTACTOR 9A 1 K1
3 3 OVERLOAD 6-10A 1 F1
4 4 START BUTTON 1 S1
5 5 STOP BUTTON 1 S0
6 6 TERMINAL 4mm2 6 X1
  1. With the table still selected, type TABLEEXPORT starter_parts.csv and send the CSV to purchasing.

Seven-row parts list for a motor starter panel
Seven-row parts list for a motor starter panel

Challenge: Keep the list in Excel instead and pull it in with DATALINK starter_parts.xlsx; after a change in Excel, DATALINK UPDATE refreshes the drawing.

See also