Using Excel To Change Text in CAD drawing

[samuraxt]

Hi,

I have a question about if it is possible to set a block's dimensions to read a table's cell value. Say a rectangle has dimensions x wide by y tall and a table has the x and y values given in cells a1 and b1 linked from an excel spreadsheet. I would like to link it like this because i have an excel file that will update and then output to AutoCAD. Is this possible and if so how? I am planning on using VBA is this the best way to accomplish this? I am using AutoCAD 2012 if that helps.

[MSasu]

The support for VBA was discontinued since AutoCAD 2010; however you can download and install VBA extension for all versions up to 2013. This is intended for existing VBA custom tools.
For new tools is better to look for AutoLISP or .Net.
Regarding access to Excel from an AutoCAD based tool the answer is yes, it is possible. You can find a lot of examples on the Forum.

[samuraxt]

Thanks Mircea,

I've downloaded the VBA extension for Acad 2012. and started using it.
Will revert with the results.
Thank you so much..!

[MSasu]

The compatibility with VBA is maintained by Autodesk to allow users that have such tools developed in the past to still use them. But is to expect that will be dropped one day.
If I were you, since is about to start to develop a new tool, I will look for a .Net approach. For sure this involve becoming familiar with a new language, but chances are to be forced to do this anyway later when VBA support will not be available anymore.

[samuraxt]

since is about to start to develop a new tool, I will look for a .Net approach. For sure this involve becoming familiar with a new language.

Yes Mircea.. you are absolutely right. I too had that thought when i took up this project. Will try this out in .Net too and will revert with results or even queries .

Below is the VBA program i landed at, since i am quite new to vba platform i'm unable to make the search string as a default constant text. Can you guide me in this pls. Thanks in advance.

Sub ChangeText()

Dim Selection As AcadSelectionSet
Dim MText As AcadMText
Dim SearchText As String
Dim ReplaceText As String

Dim FilterType(0) As Integer
Dim FilterData(0) As Variant

FilterType(0) = 0
FilterData(0) = "MTEXT"

On Error Resume Next
Set Selection = ThisDrawing.SelectionSets.Item("ssText")
If Err Then
Set Selection = ThisDrawing.SelectionSets.Add("ssText")
Err.Clear
Else
Selection.Clear
End If

Selection.Select acSelectionSetAll, , , FilterType, FilterData

SearchText = ThisDrawing.Utility.GetString(True, "Enter the search string: ")

For Each MText In Selection

If MText.TextString = SearchText Then

ReplaceText = ThisDrawing.Utility.GetString(True, "Enter the replace string: ")
MText.TextString = ReplaceText

End If

Next MText

End Sub

[MSasu]

Sadly, I don’t have access to AutoCAD’s VBA editor right now and also have very limited experience on this mater – I suggest you to ask a moderator to move this thread .NET, ObjectARX & VBA area of the Forum where can gain attention from people with VBA/.Net knowledge .
Also, please add code tags to your code excerpt.

[samuraxt]

Mircea..

Its fine. Just now i've done it of my own and it works great.

Thank you so much . Will be reverting with a new project soon.

[BIGAL]

Search the net for the example "Shaft.dwg & shaft.xls" this is an old example of linking a dwg to excel change in excel dwg updates.

[SLW210]

samuraxt,

Please read the CODE POSTING GUIDELINES!