ATT2TXT-bgol (Text from Selected Attribute Block)

Command Type: AutoLISP routine (works in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD and most AutoLISP-compatible CAD platforms)
Developed by: BGol Community, bgol.in

Inspired by the general concept of extracting attribute values to plain text used in survey benchmark and station labeling workflows. This is an original, independently written routine, new file name, new command name, new source code, created so the CAD community has a free, editable, open-source alternative.

Overview

A2TX reads every attribute value from one or more selected attribute blocks and creates a new plain TEXT entity for each value, placed on a dedicated layer. This preserves the entered attribute data as independent, editable plain text, even if the source attribute block is later exploded, which would otherwise revert its attributes to their tag/prompt definitions and lose the actual entered values.

How to Use

1. Load ATT2TXT-bgol.lsp into your CAD session (drag-and-drop the file onto the drawing window, or use the APPLOAD command).
2. Type A2TX at the command line and press Enter.
3. Select the attribute block(s) whose attribute values should be converted to text, then press Enter to finish selection.
4. The routine reads every attribute field's current value from each selected block and creates a matching plain TEXT entity at the attribute's own position, on a dedicated layer, BGOL-A2TX (colour yellow).

Why Use It

• Preserves data, keeps attribute information accessible as plain text even if the attribute block is later exploded.
• Broader command compatibility, many editing/analysis commands only work on TEXT entities, not attribute blocks; converting to text unlocks those workflows.
• Flexible, works regardless of how many attribute fields the block definition contains.
• Organized, output text is placed on a separate layer, keeping converted values distinguishable from the original block geometry.

Where to Use It

• Preparing a drawing containing benchmark/station attribute blocks (e.g., TBM markers with elevation, description, and ID attributes) for operations that require plain text, such as text-based QA checks, FIND, or export routines.
• Archiving or migrating attribute data into a more universally-editable text format before block cleanup or exploding.
• Any workflow needing to extract and retain attribute block data as standalone, independently movable/editable text.

Notes

• Only blocks that actually contain attributes are matched by the selection filter (equivalent to AutoCAD's "has attributes" flag).
• New text height matches each source attribute's own height where available; otherwise falls back to *bgol-a2tx-height* (default 2.5) near the top of the .lsp file.
• Source code is fully open, feel free to study, modify, and redistribute it under the same open, free-for-all spirit.

Credits

Developed and shared for the CAD community by BGol Community. Website: https://bgol.in/ Free and open-source, use it, modify it, share it, for personal or commercial work alike.