How to change part of symbol automatically over entire drawing?

I want to create a symbol that will be used in many different places in a drawing. The symbol needs to have a number in it that can be updated automatically to whatever number I choose over the entire drawing. What is this called, how is it done?

I think you need to look into creating blocks with Attributes.

Well, if the number is the same for the entire drawing, you don't need attributes. A piece of text inside the block will suffice. Then you need only redefine / BEdit the block's definition in each DWG to change the value of the text for the entire DWG.

If you do go with attributes (which are pieces of text "attached" to each instance of the block), these values can be changed independently for each instance of the block. To get around that, you'll then need to look into using fields inside the attributes. There are many different places where the field's source can come from: DWG properties, other entities, Sheet Sets, etc.

The "nice" thing with this is you can have several "different" instances, some linked to one value, others to something else, yet still a single change in the DWG will update all those linked to it. If you want the same features with the normal text in a block, then you'd need a block definition for each version.

And then if you want to be able to change a value throughout several drawings at once: (1) use a similar idea as per the text inside a block, but change the block to being an xref (i.e. auto-updating block from DWG file). Or (2) use Sheet Sets with fields.

If you do go with attributes (which are pieces of text "attached" to each instance of the block), these values can be changed independently for each instance of the block. To get around that, you'll then need to look into using fields inside the attributes.

Good point! Hopefully the blocks are on a layer so you can easily isolate then to select quickly. Alternatively use Filter / QSelect.

Thanks guys.