AutoCAD Tip: Linking different Tables in AutoCAD

By Dennis Collin

AutoCAD has had table elements functionality for several years. The Table function in AutoCAD is like a lite version of an Excel workbook. Tables can be created and data entered manually, or be populated with object data generated from the Data Extraction command. To calculate values with a table users can use Excel like syntax eg. =A5+B5 or SUM(A1.A5) etc. within table cells.

It is also possible to link data between different tables to calculate things like unit costs and totals etc. In the example note 2 tables with data already entered in the first table object.

To create a link, select the cell in the second table and right click. Choose INSERT>FORMULA>CELL

Then select the cell to link within the other table and a formula will appear like this.

The formula can be changed to your needs and be multiplied by a constant or another cell if required.

E.g.

=Table(26618844720).C3*D3

The formula options Sum, Average and Count can also be used in a similar way.

Once linked it should be noted there is no obvious connection of the link. However, should the original table alter, the linked cell will update after either saving the drawing or performing a screen Regen command.

If using a AutoCAD toolset application like AutoCAD Architecture, then it is not possible to link an AutoCAD cell to the bespoke AEC schedule table. In this event the AEC schedule will need to be converted to an AutoCAD table (achieved by a right click menu).

It is also possible to link a text or Mtext element to a table cell with the Field function.

Within the text editor, insert a field accessing the Objects>Formula>Cell. The calculated value will appear with the typical grey field background. If the table format changes, like the number of rows, use the UPDATEFIELD command. If the resultant value shows a # symbol, then the formula will need to be manually changed to reflect the new cell range. A file save OR Regen operation will also update the value according to the original table cell value.