How to Use AutoCAD Tables

The initial versions of AutoCAD required extraction of data to an external file or Excel spreadsheet to create a bill of materials or other schedules. This data was later imported back into AutoCAD for reference. If there was a need to incorporate data from a spreadsheet into an AutoCAD drawing, you had to insert it using the Windows Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) feature.

Newer versions of Autodesk AutoCAD application software offer powerful features allowing the creation and modification of table data effortlessly. These tables fulfill many drawing requirements. Just like in Excel, AutoCAD tables features rows and columns grouped to create a group of individual cells and designated by row numbers and column alphabets, such as A3, G10, and so on. The unique feature of AutoCAD tables is that the cells can contain different types of data, including text, blocks, and formulas.

This article takes you through the table capabilities of Autodesk AutoCAD. You can gain expertise in working with tables by gaining an in-depth and hands-on experience through AutoCAD training and certification courses.

Creating Tables in AutoCAD

A table in AutoCAD is a self-contained object. It is like a mini spreadsheet that permits the use of standard AutoCAD commands such as move, copy, and paste to edit the table. The arrangement of rows and columns in AutoCAD is in a grid form which can be manipulated as single entity. This table creation feature benefits in saving time and increasing efficiency. You can specify the table data differently for different object types including:

o Point tables

o Alignment tables

o Parcel tables

o Survey figure tables

Choosing Table Styles

Various table styles are offered by AutoCAD to define how data is presented in the table and how the data appears. These table styles can be defined as standard formats for everyone in an organization. You can even automate the look and feel of the tables with various Table Styles options.

Efficiently Editing Tables

After placing the table in your drawing, you can control both the table type and style. AutoCAD incorporates the option to change table properties, allowing users to modify the table content, appearance, layout, and behavior. AutoCAD has made it intuitive to edit all table aspects seamlessly.

Once you select a part of the table, different grips allow you to:

o Split a table

o Modify the table data

o Realign the table stacks

o Explode a table

The benefits of tabular representation in AutoCAD include:

A simplified form of representation
Helpful in comparison
Saving of place and time
Easy to check for errors

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