AutoCAD attributes are an easy way to add metadata to drawing blocks which can be used for a variety of reports as well as populating searchable Vault properties. Attributes have many different configurations and settings which are often either missed during their creation or their properties need to be changed to match their end use. AutoCAD Block Attribute Manager, also know by its command name of "Battman", can manipulate most any attribute configuration or setting except one, it cannot create attributes. It can even remove attributes from a block without exploding it. Once block attributes are created, the command is an invaluable tool.
I will be creating a block from a drawing of the plan view of a office copier. It will be a nested block with the Copier Control Panel being nested inside the Office Copier main block. There will be one attribute in the Copier Control Panel block containing the "Access Code" and three attributes in the main block for "Make and Model", "Location" and "Price". All entities are drawn on layer "0" so the block will take on the layer properties it is inserted on.
After the block is created, one of the best features of the Block Attribute Manager is needed. When I created the Office Copier block, I failed to select the attributes in the order I wanted them to appear in the block attribute editor. Starting the Block Attribute Manager, I can either select the block or pick it from the list of drawing blocks.
Once the Office Copier block is selected, the dialog box will list all the attributes found in that block. I can then use the "Move Up" or "Move Down" commands to make sure they appear in the right order when the block is inserted. This will save a lot of time compared to the only other option (explode the block) to accomplish the order change.
One of the beauties of the Block Attribute Manager is that it can even be used to edit attribute properties in nested blocks. In my example, the Copier Access Code attribute value should have been set to "Invisible" but it was missed. This is quick work for the Block Attribute Manager.

After selecting "OK" to return to the main panel, make sure you select "Apply" at the bottom of the dialog box to set you changes. Note that one of the configured columns will display all the modes of an attribute. This particular one is showing "Invisible" and "Locked". You can change the columns to the ones you desire by selecting the "Settings" button at the bottom of the dialog box.
This is a list of the possible reporting columns. Two options at the bottom of this dialog are of particular interest. A block should never have duplicate attribute tags. The first check box will warn you if this condition occurs by turning the duplicate tags red. You then can change to Tag value right in the manager. The second check box will apply all the changes you make with these tools to other blocks, of the same name, already in the drawing.

There will be times when the changes to existing blocks will be made but they will not appear immediately. That is a good time to use the "Sync" button in the main dialog box.
There are a lot more features inside this marvelous tool but I think I will save them for part 2 of this article. Check back real soon.