Export Expressions

This facility is used to link and push properties about AutoCAD objects into Excel. It can evaluate and export lengths, areas, dimension measurements, etc.

Keyboard Command: XL2CADTEM

Property Expression Manager:

The Expression Manager is used to establish a link between the AutoCAD property and the single cell in Excel. The flow of information is from AutoCAD to Excel and it is linked.

Procedure:

1. Open the source drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Open the target spreadsheet.
3. Place the Excel cursor in the desired cell.
4. Launch the Property Expression Manager.
5. Click the Object dropdown and choose an Object Type.
6. Choose the specific object. This may be a drawing object (such as a line) or a symbol object (such as a layer name).
7. Choose Property dropdown and select a desired property.
8. The file and cell name fields are used for changing existing expressions; leave these blank.
9. If needed, choose a factoring option and enter a value (see note).
10. Choose a Cell Advance option (see note).
11. Choose the Add button.
12. To repeat, go to step 3 and continue until done.
13. Choose the OK button to finish.

Notes:

• The factoring can be used to convert to practical units. Such as /144 to convert architectural units to square feet or /43560 to convert square feet to acres.
• If you plan to create multiple links, it is advisable to set the Cell Advance to an appropriate button, such as down.
• To change a record, click the item on the list, make changes, and choose the Update button.
• To delete a record, click the item on the list, and choose the Delete button.
• The expression list is stored inside the drawing.

Expression Update:

After expressions are established, you can update the Excel spreadsheet using one or more of the items in the list.

Notes:

• To update only those cells tied to specific objects, choose the Clear All button, then choose the Select ByObjects button to choose the objects in the drawing.
• Choose the Exit button when finished.