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Creating Legends Using TABLE Command

3 Comments Jan-16-2009 | Posted by Erhan Toker | Printable Version | Level |

In order to prepare the legends for drawings with letterheads, a new command named as TABLE was included in AutoCAD 2005® and later versions. It is possible to prepare the tables as seen in Fig.1.

Operation of command is conformable with AutoCAD’s command/style structure. Just like TEXTSTYLE in TEXT command, there is also a TABLESTYLE in TABLE command.

This table is composed of three parts: (1) Title, (2) Column Headers, and (3) Data Cells. AutoDESK handles the table like a small MS EXCEL spreadsheet. You can set format for each cell. Default format for numbers is same as the default format that is set by the UNITS command in AutoCAD. Now, let’s look at the operation of the command.

Command: _TABLE

TABLE command works with a dialog box like the new generation commands in AutoCAD (Fig.2).

Fig.2 Table dialogue box

If STANDARD table style works fine for you, you can immediately prepare a table by entering column and row numbers. Row number is incrementing automatically as you enter new data. It is also possible to change the column number or merge them later on. After we press “OK” button, we place our table by selecting the point from screen, where we place our table (from upper left corner). Immediately after, AutoCAD prompts us to fill the table starting from the title. You can exit by pressing ENTER and continue working with your table by zooming to the view you want to work.

Fig.3 Cell edit toolbar

AutoCAD uses the standard text formatting toolkit while editing the cells (Fig. 3). With these tools, you can make all of the necessary changes for fonts, text heights etc. In order to change the content or format of a cell, it is enough to double click on a cell with your mouse. Moreover, it is possible to choose multiple cells by choosing with WINDOW or CROSSING WINDOW method, and make multiple changes.

Fig. 4 Select the cells you want to edit

You must click on right side and drag CROSSING WINDOW to left without releasing the button, as seen in green in Fig. 4. By this way, you have selected the 2nd column, those cells which the green dashed window touches. By pressing the right mouse button at any point over the marked region, relevant menu with possible operations will pop-up (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5

AutoCAD sets the format automatically while filling the table cells. Actually, this is making the things work out a little harder. However, as we know the options mentioned in Fig. 5, it is better not to ignore auto formatting while filling the table; and adjust the format after filling out is finished. You can add, remove or merge columns, rows by using again the same menu.

Finally, let’s talk about the table style editor shortly. In order to open up the editor, ‘TABLESTYLE‘ command (short command: TS) is used.

Command :_TABLESTYLE

Fig. 6 Table Style dialogue

Just like formatting the dimension styles, table styles can also be modified (Fig. 6). Each table style has a name. After choosing the relevant name from table and clicking ‘Modify…‘ button, modify table style dialog box opens up (Fig. 7). From this dialog box, you can modify format of the title, column header and cells of your table. However, all the changes made here, especially for columns and cells affect the complete table. As I mentioned before, I suggest you to make formatting of cells after you fill out your table.

Fig. 7

Tip: If you copy a table you work out with EXCELL, and paste into AutoCAD as AutoCAD objects from ‘Paste Special…‘ in ‘Edit‘ menu, you can create tables very easily.

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