AnsweredAssumed Answered

Design table with logic statement

Question asked by David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015
Latest reply on May 26, 2015 by Deepak Gupta

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 11

I am trying to change a dimension that is in a design table with an if then statement. I've tried having the statement reside directly in that cell. I've also tried to complete the logic outside of the cell, and then reference that cell from my dimension driving cell. Is this even possible? I've been able to use the truncate and simple addition as formulas, but anything more complicated seems to get kicked out. I am able to control global variables (then in turn link the dimensions to those global variables) via these more complex functions but this seems like multiple unnecessary steps to get to my end result.

Having a vlookup table directly drive a dimension value would be helpful as well.

I'm using Excel 2007 and Solidworks 2014.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Deepak Gupta Mar 25, 2015 12:13 PM

Correct Answer

David I've seen this behavior specially with setting STATE in the DT (not sure if this is due to SW or Excel). To fix this, copy the formula and paste into a different cell and check to see if the formula is working. If yes then cut that cell (select, ctrl + x) and paste into the desired location (select, ctrl +v). The only downside with this method is that any formula or other cell which are referring to the original cell are broken and needs to be fixed.

See the reply in context

No one else had this question

Outcomes

David Dewey Mar 25, 2015 11:18 AM

I should note that I am trying to change dimensions in a sketch that resides at the top level of an assembly. Not sure if that makes any sort of a difference or not.

Actions

Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:00 PM

I don't see a reason as why this should not work. Can you share some example files where you had the trouble.

I had made few assemblies in the past with driving assembly sketches using the design table in the assembly.

Actions

David Dewey @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 25, 2015 12:08 PM

Deepak,

Thank you for taking a look at this. As you can see, I'm trying to drive a state with a simple if then. This is the same behavior when I try to drive a dimension.

Attachments

assembly.zip6.4 MB

Actions

Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:13 PM

Actions

David Dewey @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 25, 2015 12:27 PM

Thanks Deepak. This works great!

Actions

Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on May 26, 2015 6:12 AM

I also find out that with the cell selected, clicking on clear formats works.

Actions

Mike Pogue Mar 25, 2015 12:12 PM

Can you turn off data validation for those cells?

Actions

David Dewey @ Mike Pogue on Mar 25, 2015 12:27 PM

Mike,

I see that turning off the data validation does also allow this to function as expected. Thank you for the tip!

Actions

Mark Olsen @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:42 PM

I run into this all the time. Data validation is a huge PITA. I really wish that it could be turned off permanently for all DTs. I have to remember to turn it of on every design table I work on as it always causes issues while working on the table (with incomplete forumulas - ie, work in progress). Leaving it on also slows working with tables down when you have large tables. It even comes back when you leave SW, and restart the next day. Horrible idea.

Actions

Deepak Gupta @ Mike Pogue on Mar 25, 2015 12:46 PM

Setting Data Validation to off doesn't work for me always so I use the cut paste method

Actions

Dave Lonsdale May 26, 2015 5:04 AM

I know I'm a little late to the party, but to avoid this issue I edit the design table feature and un-tick "Enable cell drop-down lists (may be slower)" tick box. This stops SW making drop down lists and hence does not create any data validation rules. This is great for a work in progress if you have to edit the cell a few times as the data validation remains cleared. Whereas if this was ticked, the data validation returns the next time you close then open the DT.

Actions

11 Replies

David Dewey Mar 25, 2015 11:18 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I should note that I am trying to change dimensions in a sketch that resides at the top level of an assembly. Not sure if that makes any sort of a difference or not.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:00 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  I don't see a reason as why this should not work. Can you share some example files where you had the trouble.
  
  I had made few assemblies in the past with driving assembly sketches using the design table in the assembly.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - David Dewey @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 25, 2015 12:08 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Deepak,
    Thank you for taking a look at this. As you can see, I'm trying to drive a state with a simple if then. This is the same behavior when I try to drive a dimension.
    Attachments
    assembly.zip6.4 MB
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
    - Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:13 PM
      Unmark Correct
      Correct Answer
      David I've seen this behavior specially with setting STATE in the DT (not sure if this is due to SW or Excel). To fix this, copy the formula and paste into a different cell and check to see if the formula is working. If yes then cut that cell (select, ctrl + x) and paste into the desired location (select, ctrl +v). The only downside with this method is that any formula or other cell which are referring to the original cell are broken and needs to be fixed.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
      - David Dewey @ Deepak Gupta on Mar 25, 2015 12:27 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Thanks Deepak. This works great!
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
        Deepak Gupta @ David Dewey on May 26, 2015 6:12 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        I also find out that with the cell selected, clicking on clear formats works.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
Mike Pogue Mar 25, 2015 12:12 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Can you turn off data validation for those cells?
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- David Dewey @ Mike Pogue on Mar 25, 2015 12:27 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Mike,
  I see that turning off the data validation does also allow this to function as expected. Thank you for the tip!
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - Mark Olsen @ David Dewey on Mar 25, 2015 12:42 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    I run into this all the time. Data validation is a huge PITA. I really wish that it could be turned off permanently for all DTs. I have to remember to turn it of on every design table I work on as it always causes issues while working on the table (with incomplete forumulas - ie, work in progress). Leaving it on also slows working with tables down when you have large tables. It even comes back when you leave SW, and restart the next day. Horrible idea.
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
- Deepak Gupta @ Mike Pogue on Mar 25, 2015 12:46 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Setting Data Validation to off doesn't work for me always so I use the cut paste method
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Dave Lonsdale May 26, 2015 5:04 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I know I'm a little late to the party, but to avoid this issue I edit the design table feature and un-tick "Enable cell drop-down lists (may be slower)" tick box. This stops SW making drop down lists and hence does not create any data validation rules. This is great for a work in progress if you have to edit the cell a few times as the data validation remains cleared. Whereas if this was ticked, the data validation returns the next time you close then open the DT.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

Design table with logic statement

Outcomes

Attachments

Related Content

Recommended Content