Control Codes and Special Characters Reference

Jun 25 2015 | In-Product View

Applies to AutoCAD 2016, AutoCAD Architecture 2016, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2016, AutoCAD Electrical 2016,
AutoCAD MEP 2016, AutoCAD Map 3D 2016, AutoCAD Mechanical 2016, AutoCAD P&ID 2016,
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2016, AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2016, and AutoCAD Utility Design 2016

Like (0)Login to like this Article

Share
You can overscore text, underscore text, or insert a special character by
including control information in the text string.
Use two percent signs (%%) to introduce each control sequence.
You can use this control code with standard AutoCAD text fonts (SHX) and
Adobe PostScript fonts.

List of Control Codes

The following control codes are available.
%% nnn
Draws character number nnn.
%%o
Toggles overscoring on and off.

%%u
Toggles underscoring on and off.

%%d
Draws degrees symbol ().

%%p
Draws plus/minus tolerance symbol ().

%%c

Draws circle diameter dimensioning symbol ().

%%%
Draws a single percent sign (%). This is valid for the TEXT command
only.

Overscoring and underscoring can be in effect at the same time. Both

turn off automatically at the end of the text string.

You can use the %%nnn control sequence to display special characters
using the PostScript fonts.
A sample drawing (truetype.dwg) showing the character map for each
font is provided in the sample folder.

The Euro Symbol

You can use the euro symbol with SHX fonts and their TrueType equivalent
fonts shipped with AutoCAD 2000 and later releases. If your keyboard does
not contain a euro symbol, hold down the Alt key and enter 0128 on the
numeric keypad.
Related Concepts

Use Unicode Characters, Control Codes, and Special Characters (.NET)

Related Reference
TEXT (Command)

Applies to AutoCAD 2015, AutoCAD Architecture 2015, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015, AutoCAD Electrical 2015,
AutoCAD MEP 2015, AutoCAD Map 3D 2015, AutoCAD Mechanical 2015, AutoCAD P&ID 2015,
AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015, AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2015, and AutoCAD Utility Design 2015

Like (2)Login to like this Article

Share
You can include special characters and symbols by entering a control code or
a Unicode string.
With the In-Place Text Editor, you can right-click and click Symbol on the
shortcut menu.
Note: Symbols are not supported in vertical text.
Unicode strings and control codes

Control Codes

Unicode Strings

Result

%%d

U+00B0

Degree symbol ()

%%p

U+00B1

Tolerance symbol ()

%%c

U+2205

Diameter symbol ( )

To insert the following text symbols, click Symbol on the expanded Text
Formatting toolbar or enter the appropriate Unicode string:
Text symbols and Unicode strings

Name

Symbol

Unicode String

Almost equal

U+2248

Angle

U+2220

Text symbols and Unicode strings

Name

Symbol

Unicode String

Boundary line

U+E100

Centerline

U+2104

Delta

U+0394

Electrical phase

U+0278

Flow line

U+E101

Identity

U+2261

Initial length

U+E200

Monument line

U+E102

Not equal

U+2260

Ohm

U+2126

Text symbols and Unicode strings

Name

Symbol

Unicode String

Omega

U+03A9

Plate/property line

U+214A

Subscript 2

U+2082

Squared

U+00B2

Cubed

U+00B3

These text symbols are available in the following True Type (TTF) and SHX
fonts:

Simplex*
Romans*
gdt*
amgdt*
Isocp
Isocp2
Isocp3
Isoct
Isoct2
Isoct3
Isocpeur (TTF only)*
Isocpeur italic (TTF only)
Isocteur (TTF only)
Isocteur italic (TTF only)
* These fonts also include the Initial Length symbol used for arc length
dimensions.