Quick links to procedures on this page:

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To locate a symbol
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To insert a symbol instance
•
 
To modify a symbol instance
•
 
To update a link
•
 
To revert a symbol instance to an object or objects
•
 
To delete a symbol instance
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To purge unused symbol definitions

Using symbols in drawings

You can insert a symbol into a drawing, which creates a symbol instance. A symbol instance can be modified in ways which do not affect the symbol definition in the library. For example, you can modify the size and position of a symbol instance, without affecting the symbol definition. You can also have the symbol instance scaled automatically to match the current drawing scale.

For a list of object properties that can be modified in a symbol instance, see Modifying symbol instances.

If a symbol stored in a library is changed, you can update the link to refresh the symbol instances.

You can revert a symbol instance to an object or objects while preserving its properties. You can also delete a symbol instance, and purge unused symbol definitions. Purging removes all symbol definitions that are not instanced in a drawing.

You use the Symbol manager docker to work with symbols.

Symbol manager docker

The preview area shows a symbol and information about it, including

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name
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number of instances in the active document
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type of link:
linked — the symbol definition is added from a library file
local — (also known as “internal”) the symbol was created in the active document or was made local by breaking a link
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type of symbol: nested or un-nested

Just below the preview area, a tree view lets you see all linked and local symbol definitions in the active document, including symbols that are not instanced. You can also navigate to symbol libraries.

Examples of symbols

To locate a symbol Back to Top
1.
 
Click Edit Symbol Symbol manager.
2.
 
Click the active document at the top of the tree view to see symbols in the current document.
Click a folder to choose a collection, and click a symbol library to see symbols in a file.
To insert a symbol instance Back to Top
1.
 
Click Edit Symbol Symbol manager.
2.
 
Choose a symbol library in the tree view.
3.
 
Choose a symbol from the Symbols list.
If you want the symbol scaled automatically to match the current drawing scale, ensure that the Scale to world units button is enabled.
4.
 
Click the Insert symbol button .
You can also insert a symbol instance by dragging a symbol from the Symbol manager docker to the drawing window.
To modify a symbol instance Back to Top
1.
 
Select a symbol instance in the drawing window.
2.
 
Make any changes.
If a symbol contains multiple objects, all objects in the symbol instance are treated as if they were a group. You cannot modify individual objects in a symbol instance.
Not all properties of a symbol instance can be modified. For a list of properties that can be modified, see Modifying symbol instances.
To update a link Back to Top
1.
 
Select a symbol in the active document.
2.
 
Click Edit Symbol Update from link.
You can also click Window Link manager and use the Links and bookmarks docker to update links to symbols. An exclamation mark appears next to objects that need to be updated.
To revert a symbol instance to an object or objects Back to Top
1.
 
Select a symbol instance.
2.
 
Click Edit Symbol Revert to objects.
The symbol definition remains in the active document.
You can also revert a symbol instance to an object by right-clicking the symbol instance and clicking Revert to objects.
To delete a symbol instance Back to Top
1.
 
Select a symbol instance.
2.
 
Press Delete.
The symbol definition remains in the active document.
To purge unused symbol definitions Back to Top
1.
 
In the Symbol manager docker, click the active document.
2.
 
Click the Purge unused definitions button .
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