Create Fields

Create Fields
You can insert a field within any text object to display data in the drawing or sheet set that you
expect to change. When the field is updated, the latest data is automatically displayed.
Fields can include information such as area, layer, date, file name, page setup size, and so on.
Note: Before you begin the tutorial, if you have not already done so, copy the Tutorials folder
from the Destination Desktop CD-Rom to My Documents.
Create a Field to Display a Polygon's Area
You create a field within multiline text to display the area of a polygon.
1. If you have not already done so, copy the Tutorials folder from the CD-ROM to My
Documents.
2. In AutoCAD, open My Documents/Tutorials/polygon.dwg.
The drawing contains a polygon. You want to create a field inside the polygon that shows
its area. You create a field within multiline text (mtext).
3. On the Draw toolbar, click Multiline Text.
4. Click two points inside the polygon to select a bounding box for the mtext.
The Multiline Text Editor and the Formatting Text toolbar are displayed.
5. In the Multiline Text Editor, enter AREA =. Then, right-click, and on the shortcut menu,
click Insert Field.
6. In the Field dialog box, under Field Category, make sure that All is selected.
When All is selected, the types of fields you can create are listed under Field Names.
7. Under Field Names, select Object.
8. Under Object Type, click the Select Object button.
The Field dialog box temporarily closes so you can select an object.
9. Click the polygon to select it.
The Field dialog box is displayed. Next, you select the property type and format (units) for
the field.
10. Under Property, select Area.
11. Under Format, select Architectural, and then click OK to close the dialog box.
In the Multiline Text Editor, the area of the polygon is displayed in square feet. Notice that
the field text is displayed in the polygon with a light gray background. The background
color is a visual cue that this part of the text is a field. The background color does not
plot.
12. Click anywhere outside the Multiline Text Editor to close the editor.