Contents

Help with exporting data from AutoCAD drawings into excel spreadsheet .............................................. 2
Range Import gives users the flexibility to import part of an Excel sheet.............................................. 11
Before importing your own spreadsheet ............................................................................................ 17
Import Excel drawing and symbol components................................................................................... 19
Update imported spreadsheet ........................................................................................................... 21
Spreadsheets imported with greater symbology precision and flexibility ............................................... 23
Excel to AutoCAD font mapping......................................................................................................... 26
Excel to AutoCAD cell shading/pattern mapping ................................................................................. 31
How to update Excel link .................................................................................................................. 36
How to unlink, relink imported Excel table ......................................................................................... 37
How to query a text and show linking info ......................................................................................... 39
Linking Excel to Text -- Import .......................................................................................................... 41
Linking Excel to Text -- Update ......................................................................................................... 48
Linking Excel to Text -- Explode Grouping .......................................................................................... 50
Linking Excel to Text -- Populating Data Feature ................................................................................ 51
Linking Excel to Text -- Populate Data .............................................................................................. 53
How to import Word text into AutoCAD or MicroStation ...................................................................... 58

Help with exporting data from AutoCAD drawings into excel spreadsheet
The problem:
I have an AutoLISP routine that I use to compile data created and embedded in drawings that are
electrical cable block diagrams. The data that is extracted is information of the pinning of and the type of
cable connectors of both ends of the cable. The AutoLISP routine can extract the data from cables on one
drawing sheet or many drawing sheets that are xreferenced in a temporary drawing. This AutoLISP
routine outputs the data as 8 x 11 cable connection sheets in AutoCAD drawing format.
What I need this AutoLISP routine to do now is output the same data in the same format into one (1)
Excel file with all of the cable connection sheets tabbed.
Here are two examples of how it works. Notice in the second example; it requires OpenExcel, one or
more calls to PutCell, and ends with CloseExcel.
Code:
(defun c:Get-Example ( )
;GetExcel - Stores the values from Excel into *ExcelData@ list
;Syntax: (GetExcelExcelFile$ SheetName$ MaxRange$)
(GetExcel "C:\\Folder\\Filename.xls" "Sheet1" "L30");<-- Edit Filename.xls
;GetCell - Returns the cell value from the *ExcelData@ list
;Syntax: (GetCell Cell$)
(GetCell "H21");Or you can just use the global *ExcelData@ list
);defun
(defun c:Put-Example ( )
;OpenExcel - Opens an Excel spreadsheet
;Syntax: (OpenExcelExcelFile$ SheetName$ Visible)
(OpenExcel "C:\\Folder\\Filename.xls" "Sheet1" nil);<-- Edit Filename.xls
;PutCell - Put values into Excel cells
;Syntax: (PutCellStartCell$ Data$) or (PutCellStartCell$ DataList@)
(PutCell "A1" (list "GP093" 58.5 17 "Base" "3'-6 1/4\""));Repeat as required
;CloseExcel - Closes Excel session
;Syntax: (CloseExcelExcelFile$)
(CloseExcel "C:\\Folder\\Filename.xls");<-- Edit Filename.xls
(princ)
);defun
For your project just use the format in the Put-Example function above.
There are several other options of the arguments explained in the function headings in the program

In any case, the problem seems to be that AutoCAD is importing the worksheet as a picture. If you only
want the worksheet's data--not a picture of the data--then you may consider getting the information into
AutoCAD in a different way. For instance, you might export the Excel data in CSV format (which is plain
text) and then import it into AutoCAD. Other intermediary formats may also fill the bill, but some
experimentation may be necessary.
One ExcelTips reader suggested following these general steps to make sure that the data is pasted
properly in AutoCAD:
1.
2.
3.
4.

In Excel, select the data area you want to copy.

Press Ctrl+C to copy the data to the Clipboard.
In AutoCAD, choose Edit | Paste Special | AutoCAD Entities.
Click OK.

To get the Excel data into the CAD model at the right size, it is necessary to zoom the model to the
correct size before you paste the Excel data. The simplest way is to attempt the paste the first time and
mark the width that you require by holding a piece of paper against the screen and marking the width of
the floating paste area on the paper. Then, escape and zoom the model to the required size and then
paste the data.

Office2CAD Is The Best Excel to CAD Import Tool

1. Office2CAD is the most effective and efficient tool

The fastest Excel to AutoCAD import tool in the world.

Smart linking and updating save users tremendous time on updating tables

Update Excel Link command allows users to change all tables' link at one click.

Office2CAD imports Excel shapes and image, allows unlimited Excel to CAD font mapping and overriding. These
features save users' time to post process imported table in CAD.

Office2CAD can import huge spreadsheet into CAD. It can handle spreadsheet larger than 900 rows by 50 columns,
but we recommend users to limit their spreadsheet within 900 rows by 50 columns because that size of data
downgrades AutoCAD's performance. It applies to all similar tools.
One of our competitor notes this in his comparison table, we appreciate his free advertising of our products, and
proudly tell all users that Office2CAD not only can handle, but also perform better than others when Excel sheet
exceeding 900 rows by 50 columns.

Office2CAD provides 3 import modes, Sheet Import, Range Import, and Link to Text Import to suit different users'
needs.

Office2CAD allows users to import Excel text into AutoCAD as single text, not only as a block. These texts can be
moved, scaled, rotated in the drawing separately while it still links to Excel. .

Office2CAD allows users to query any linking text in AutoCAD and retrieve the Excel file path, row, col number etc.

Office2CAD shows a rubber band outline for accurate placement when users import Excel sheet and Word text.

Office2CAD has the capability to populate single Excel table data into multiple drawings

2. Office2CAD is the most accurate Excel to CAD import tool


Office2CAD imports Excel shapes

Office2CAD imports Excel images

Office2CAD imports Excel cell shading

Office2CAD imports Excel cell pattern

Office2CAD imports Excel math symbol.

Office2CAD allows users to disable importing of images, shapes, and cell shading/pattern

Office2CAD allows unlimited Excel to CAD font mapping and overriding.

Office2CAD allows Excel to AutoCAD cell shading/pattern mapping and overriding.

Office2CAD supports wrap text and merged cell.

Office2CAD supports vertical text.

Office2CAD supports cells containing more than 255 characters

Office2CAD supports cell Center Across Selection alignment

Office2CAD supports hidden rows and columns.

Office2CAD gives users flexibility on importing table border. Users can import based on actual border in Excel, gridline
in Excel, or import without any border line

Office2CAD automatically updates changed spreadsheets on drawing open

Office2CAD allows users to place the table in both Model Space and Paper Space of AutoCAD

3. Office2CAD supports multiple CAD/Office platforms

Office2CAD supports Office 97

Office2CAD supports Office 2000, 2002, 2003

Office2CAD supports AutoCAD 2000~2006

Office2CAD supports MicroStation V8

Office2CAD provides FREE Word Import license for every purchase of Excel Import license.

Office2CAD will support AutoCAD LT soon.

4. Office2CAD is the most dynamic and active program

In this tutorial, the Excel data is imported as the range of whole sheet. Office2CAD can automatically detect the las
the specified sheet and import cells ranging from cell A1 to the last used cell.

Step 1
Inside AutoCAD, Click on CADTool>>Import Excel Data from pull down menu
Step 2
On next dialog box click on Browse button

Step 3
Browse to C:\CADTool\tutorial\office folder and select tut01.xls
Click Open button

Step 4
In this tutorial we will try Sheet Import , not Range Import, so we leave Top Left Cell and Bot. Right Cell fields empty.
Go ahead to click on Start button to continue.

Step 5

As shown below, change text height from 10 to 2, width from 10 to 2

Click OK button to continue

Step 6
A rubber band box will show the imported table outline ( this feature is not available in AutoCAD 2000 version )
Place the table on your desired location in AutoCAD or MicroStation.
Users may have to Zoom Extent in AutoCAD to view the whole table.

10

Range Import gives users the flexibility to import part of an Excel sheet. Users can specify a
range in Excel sheet for importing.
Step 1
Inside AutoCAD, Click on CADTool>>Import Excel Data from pull down menu
Step 2
On next dialog box click on Browse button

Step 3
Browse to C:\CADTool\tutorial\office and select tut01.xls
Click Open button

11

Step 4
Follow instructions below to get import range's top left cell.

12

Step 5
Drag the dialog box to left so that you can view the import range's bottom right cell.

Step 6
Follow instructions below to get import range's bottom right cell.

13

Step 7
Click View Selection button, the import range will be highlighted.
Click Start button to continue

14

Step 8
As shown below, change text height from 10 to 2, width from 10 to 2.
Click OK button to continue

Step 9
A rubber band box will show the imported table outline ( this feature is not available in AutoCAD 2000
version )
Place the table on your desired location in AutoCAD or MicroStation.
Users may have to Zoom Extent in AutoCAD to view the whole table.

15

16

Before importing your own spreadsheet ...

Office2CAD is capable of processing Excel sheet up to size of 900 rows X 50 columns. This size is big
enough to suit most users' needs. However, sometimes users may experience troubles when importing
their own spreadsheet even they only have 10 rows of Excel data. Let's see an example.
In Excel open tut_bad_example.xls inside C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\ folder.
Press Ctrl + End at the same time, it will point you to the last used cell and it is on row 4000 !
Pressing Ctrl + End to check your sheet's last used cell before importing. Make sure it's not out of 900
rows X 50 columns boundary.

Office2CAD provides a command to trim Excel sheet and reset its last used cell.
Step 1
Click on CADTool>>Reset Excel Last Used Cell
Step 2
Browse to C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\ folder and open tut_bad_example.xls
Point your mouse to cell J8 and click on Reset button. It will reset the sheet's last used cell to cell J8.
Make sure to press Ctrl + End to verify that the last used cell has been reset.

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When users encounter any problem on using Office2CAD, the first point to check is CADTool FAQ page.
Most of the time they can find solutions there.

18

Import Excel drawing and symbol components

Import Excel Drawing Components
Office2CAD is capable of importing Excel drawing components such as line, circle, rectangle, arc and
arrows etc.
Below is an Excel sample spreadsheet in C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut03.xlswhich has drawing
components.
Import tut03.xlsas what you did in previous tutorial

Import Excel Symbol Components

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Office2CAD is capable of importing Excel symbol components such as alpha, beta, sigma etc. User shall
separate these symbols from normal texts and put them in different cells, then map Excel Symbol font to
ACAD Symbol textstyle.
Try to import sample spreadsheet in C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut04.xlswhich has symbol components.

20

Update imported spreadsheet

Step 1
Make some changes to the Excel file which has been imported into ACAD.
Make sure to save your changes in Excel before switching to ACAD for update.
Step 2
Click on CADTool>>UpdateAll Tables from pull down menu

Step 3
All imported schedules in ACAD will get updated. Update status log file shows up in ACAD command line
window

To save update time, Office2CAD ignores Excel files which have no change and only update those files
modified since last import/update.
Office2CAD judges if an Excel file is changed or not based on the file's time stamp. Each time you save
an Excel file, the file's time stamp will be updated to current time.

21

Auto-update feature when drawing is open

Each time when a drawing containing imported tables is open, all imported tables will be automatically
updated.
Some users may find this auto-update feature is annoying if they have 10 imported tables in their
drawing and have only one table changed, or even no table changed.
To solve this problem, users can click on CADTool>>Turn Auto-Update On/Off to disable the autoupdate feature.
Two update options
User can
Click on CADTool>>Update Selected Table to pick a changed table for update
Click on CADTool>>UpdateAll Tables to force an update for all tables

To save update time

If you have 10 tables coming from 10 different Excel files, Update All Tables will be the best
choice as it will only update the file which is modified based on its time stamp

If you have 10 tables coming from 10 different sheets containing in a single Excel file, Update
Selected Table will be the best choice as the time stamp decision does not work for this
scenario

Save Excel file only when you make changes on it. Do NOT save if you make no change,
otherwise it will trigger Office2CAD to update the imported table

To force an update, you must save the Excel file, otherwise it will be ignored during the update

22

Spreadsheets imported with greater symbology precision and flexibility

The followings are symbology control dialog boxes during importing Excel data in previous tutorial

For AutoCAD version, all existing text styles in your drawing will appear in Available
TextStyles in DWG list box. You can map font in Excel to any your predefined text style.
Office2CAD creates 2 true type font, Arial and Times New Roman, for you in advance and
automatically map the font for you.

For MicroStation version, all available fonts in MicroStation will appear in Available Fonts in
DGN list box. You can map your Excel font to any of them freely

Imported text and border line's color, layer (level in MS) and lineweight are all manageable

Border option gives you flexibility on importing table border. You can import based on actual
border in Excel, gridline in Excel, or import without any border line

Office2CAD will remember all your previous settings, and you need NOT to set these parameters
in every import.

Symbology Dialog Box for AutoCAD

23

Symbology Dialog Box for MicroStation

24

25

Excel to AutoCAD font mapping

In this tutorial, we will show users how Office2CAD can

Map Excel font to AutoCAD textstyle

Import Excel image into AutoCAD

Import Excel cell fill and pattern into AutoCAD

Import Excel drawings and shapes into AutoCAD

Open Excel file C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut05.xls. This Excel sheet contains font Arial, Times New Roman, Impact, and

Arial Black. We will show users how to map these fonts to the same fonts into AutoCAD.

Step 1

26

Inside AutoCAD, Click on Format>>Text Style ...

Create a new a text style named Impact, set its font to

as shown below.

Click on Apply button to continue.

Step 2
Similar to Step 1, create a new text style named Arial Black

27

Step 3
Click on CADTool>>Import Excel Data to sheet import C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut05.xls
Map XLS Impact to DWG Impact.

Step 4
Map XLS Arial Black to DWG Arial Black.
Click on OK button to place table in AutoCAD.

28

Step 5
We can find that

All fonts get imported as they are inside Excel

The logo image inside Excel gets imported

The drawings/shapes (dimension and arrow) get imported

Excel cell patterns get imported

Excel cell fills get imported

User can create any text style in AutoCAD, not only using Windows true type fonts, but also AutoCAD fonts such as
romans.shx or complex.shx. All Excel fonts can be mapped to AutoCAD fonts as well.

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For the reason that Excel cell size is set to accommodate true type font, when a true type font is imported as an ACAD fon
it may run across the cell border. Office2CAD provides two scale factors to adjust this. Please refer to FAQ 3-4 for details.

In the next tutorial we will show users how to map Excel cell fill and pattern to any available AutoCAD hatch pattern.

30

Excel to AutoCAD cell shading/pattern mapping

In this tutorial we will show users how to map Excel cell shading/pattern to AutoCAD's hatch pattern.

Original imported as cell color fill

After mapping imported as ACAD hatch pattern

Open C:\CADTool\acad\pattern.ini using any text editor, like Notepad.

The XLS Pattern Name corresponds to Excel cell pattern name as shown on the right.
User can map an Excel cell pattern to any available ACAD hatch pattern by editing the 2nd column.

31

The XLS Color Name corresponds to last two rows of Excel fill color as shown on the right.
User can map an Excel cell fill color to any available ACAD hatch pattern by editing the 2nd column.

Step 1

Continuing from last tutorial, we already imported tut05.xls into AutoCAD.

32

Step 2

Open C:\CADTool\acad\pattern.ini file using any text editor, like Notepad.

Edit this file, set Light Yellow mapping to ACAD hatch pattern BRICK, Light Green to GRAVEL, set the Hatch Density to 0.5
Note:

Since users may try the import in different scale of drawing, setting Hatch Density to 0.5 may not produce the same result
as this tutorial. Users can try different values such as 5, 10 or 0.1 to get a better hatching output.

Step 3

33

Save the pattern.ini file we just edited.

Click on CADTool>> Update Selected Table to pick the the table for update.
If user cannot get the same hatch fill as shown or it's empty, go to Step 2 to adjust the Hatch Density, save and update
again.

We already show users how to import image, graphic shape, and cell fill color/pattern from Excel into AutoCAD.
Users can uncheck/check three switches below to disable/enable importing of these elements from Excel. These switches
give users more flexibilities to control the output of import.

34

35

How to update Excel link

When users start a new project, they may copy files from an old project folder to the new project
folder.
Users want to use all previous imported tables with only minor adjustment, meanwhile they want
to organize the drawings and linking Excel files in a different folder.
Office2CAD provides update Excel link command for users to open a drawing, update the linking
info, and relink the imported table to a file in different location.
It saves users' time to re-insert all the tables again.
Step 1
Click on CADTool>>Update Excel Link from pull down menu

Step 2
Click on any listed Excel file on the top box. The selected Excel file will appear in the Old Excel File
Path text field.
User can type/paste the new Excel file path into the second field.
Click on Change button to update all the links in this drawing.

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How to unlink, relink imported Excel table

Step 1
Continuing from previous tutorial, you already imported a sample Excel table into AutoCAD or
MicroStation.
Click on CADTool>>Manage Excel Link from pull down menu

Step 2
The link management dialog box will show you all current imported Excel table info with Excel file
path, sheet name and linking status. You can relink, unlink any table based on you needs.

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38

How to query a text and show linking info

Step 1
Take any imported spreadsheet in AutoCAD
Click on CADTool>>Query Linked Text from pull down menu

Step 2
Click on any text in AutoCAD or MicroStation, it will show you the text's linking info

39

40

Linking Excel to Text -- Import

Users already tried Sheet Import and Range Import in previous tutorials. In these two import modes,
AutoCAD table links to Excel as a whole block. It's an intended feature when Excel sheet is imported as a
schedule and users want to manipulate it as one entity.
There are some other cases when users want the link to be set at single AutoCAD text level, rather than
the block level which groups all texts. For example, GIS and road drainage design data, users want to
move imported texts around in the drawing, yet they still want these texts linking to Excel and getting
real time updated.
In this tutorial we introduce the third import mode: Linking Excel to Text mode. All imported texts are
linking to Excel as single text. Users can move, scale or rotate these texts in AutoCAD and they are still
linking to Excel.
Step 1
Inside AutoCAD, Click on CADTool>>Import Excel Linking To Text from pull down menu
Step 2
On next dialog box click on Browse button

Step 3

41

Browse to C:\CADTool\tutorial\office and select tut01.xls

Click Open button

Step 4
Follow instruction below to get top left cell of import range

42

Step 5
Drag the dialog box to left so that you can view the bottom right cell of import range

43

Step 6
Follow instruction below to get bottom right cell of import range

44

Step 7
Click View Selection button, the import range will be highlighted.
Click Start button to continue

Step 8
As shown below, change text height from 10 to 2, width from 10 to 2.
Click OK button to continue

45

Step 9
A rubber band box will show the imported table outline ( this feature is not available in AutoCAD 2000
version )
Place the table on your desired location in AutoCAD.
Users may have to Zoom Extent in AutoCAD to view the whole table.

46

47

Linking Excel to Text -- Update

Step 1
In Excel, open the sample file C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut01.xls and make some changes.
Save the Excel file before switching to AutoCAD for update.

Step 2
Click on CADTool>>UpdateAll Tables from pull down menu. The changes are updated in the
drawing.

Step 3

48

There is a dialog box showing you how the changes are made

Step 4
The update contents shown above are automatically written to a *.txt format log file in the same
directory of drawing.
You can trace all update history of your drawing in this log file

49

Linking Excel to Text -- Explode Grouping

When users click on CADTool>>Import Excel Linking To Text to import Excel data, there is a check
box Group All Import Contents. If users uncheck this box, all imported texts will not be grouped
together. Users can move single text to other locations in the drawing and the text is still linking to Excel.

If users import the Excel data as a group, they are still able to explode the grouping using CADTool
command Explode Group command.

Click on CADTool>>Explode Group from pull down menu

Double Click on the group name and the group will be highlighted

Click on Explode Selected button

The grouped contents will be exploded and can be manipulated separately

50

Linking Excel to Text -- Populating Data Feature

Considering a drawing title block management scenario:

You may have 100 drawings and all their title block info, drawing no., name , scale,
rev no etc, is in an Excel table

All 100 drawings' title block texts are linking to the Excel table

When you make a change in Excel, the corresponding drawing's title block will be
automatically updated when it is open

You can prepare everything in Excel and have only one copy

You can import one drawing's text (one row or column in Excel) into one CAD
drawing, position the texts in title block

Office2CAD takes the drawing you done as a template, automatically populating

the rest 99 drawings' title block for you in one minute !

All populated texts are linking to the Excel table.

How can you take advantage of the table populating feature

You can utilize Office2CAD's table populating feature in all single Excel table to multiple
drawings cases.

Prepare all you calculation in Excel and export it to CAD drawing without any
additional work

Prepare all you Bill of Material in Excel and link it to CAD drawing

51

Prepare all you specification data in Excel and export it to CAD drawing

52

Linking Excel to Text -- Populate Data

In this tutorial, we will show users how to populate Excel data into multiple drawings.
Step 1
Users already tried Linking Excel to Text -- Import to import Excel data linking as single text. Now we
follow the same procedure to import some data into the template drawing.
Open sample border drawing in
C:\CADTool\tutorial\acad\borderR15.dwg (AutoCAD 2002, 2000)
C:\CADTool\tutorial\acad\borderR16.dwg (AutoCAD 2004, 2005, 2006)
Step 2

Click on CADTool>>Import Excel Linking To Text from pull down menu

Click Browse button. Open Excel file tut02.xls in C:\CADTool\tutorial\office

Step 3

53

Click on the Sheet combo box and select Sheet 1, Excel will show Sheet 1 content as shown
below

Import the highlighting part into drawing

Step 4
Select No Border, uncheck Empty Cell Is Updateable and Group All Import Contents, Click OK to
continue

54

Step 5
Place table as shown below

Step 6
Move imported text to its location in title block. You can move, rotate, scale these texts. All the changes
will be applied to populated drawings

55

Step 7
Save you completed drawing as Template.dwgin any location.
Step 8
Click on CADTool>>Populate Excel Data from pull down menu
Complete the form as shown below. Click Start to continue

56

Step 9
All populated drawings will be dumped into C:\CADTool\tutorial\ouput directory as specified in
above form

57

How to import Word text into AutoCAD or MicroStation

Step 1
Click on CADTool>>Import Word File from pull down menu
Open C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut03.doc

Step 2
Accept all defaults, click on OK button to continue.
Place the imported text in AutoCAD. User may need to Zoom Extent to view all the contents.

58

Note:
If users find every page's first line goes to last page, or every page's last line goes to next page, they
can check/uncheck the switch below to fix it.
If above line shifting applies to you, try a new import with check box below checked.

59

Step 3
Follow the same procedure to import C:\CADTool\tutorial\office\tut02.doc
User can find that all the format and symbol in Word are retained in AutoCAD.

60

Step 4
Make some changes on Word file and save the changes in Word.
Click on CADTool>>Update Selected Word File from pull down menu to update the imported
text.

Step 5
All the imported texts are grouped together with group name starting with WG_**. User can explode
the grouping using AutoCAD's group command.

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62