2 Undocumented AutoCAD 2006 Commands

EAttExtEdit and EAttExtUpdate are two commands that are no documented in AutoCAD 2006. They are are the behind-the-scenes mechanisms for updating tables when attribute values change. (Both commands require that you first select the table, and then enter the command name.)

EAttExtEdit

The EAttExtEdit command (short for "Enhanced ATTibute EXTraction EDITor") runs a condensed version of the EAttExt command, which generates the attributed-filled tables in the first place.

This command lets you select which new attributes to add to the table. Follow these steps:
1. When attributes change and the yellow warning balloon appears, click x to dismiss it. This prevents AutoCAD from automatic updating the table with the new data.
2. Select the table.
3. Invoke the EAttExtEdit command.
4. Work through the wizard, selecting the attributes to be added to the table.

Here's why this command is usefu: normally, when a lot of attribute-containing blocks are added to drawings, the yellow "Attribute Extraction Table Needs Updating" balloon appears. If you were to click on the blue underlined "Refresh Table Data" item, all of the new attributes are added to the table automatically -- whether you want them or not!

(If you need a drawing to test this command, use the sample drawing "Blocks and Tables.dwg" found in AutoCAD 2006's \sample folder.)

EAttExtUpdate

The EAttExtUpdate command updates the table after attributes have changed in the drawing. This is the command-line replacement for clicking the blue underlined "Refresh Table Data" item in the yellow "Attribute Extraction Table Needs Updating" balloon. Remember to select a table before executing this command!