How to Use Wildcard Match in AutoCAD

Understanding Wildcard Use in AutoCAD

Using wildcards can significantly enhance your productivity when working in AutoCAD, especially when you need to search and select specific elements within your drawings. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to perform a wildcard match in AutoCAD 2025.

Accessing Quick Select for Wildcard Match

1. Initiate Quick Select: Begin by typing QSELECT in the command line and hit Enter. This command brings up the Quick Select dialog box, which is essential for filtering objects.

2. Set the Apply To Value: In the dialog box, look for the "Apply To" dropdown. Choose “Entire drawing” to ensure you are filtering through all elements in your current drawing.

3. Choose the Object Type: From the "Object type" dropdown menu, select "Text." This specifies that you want to work with text entities in your drawing.

4. Select Properties: Move to the "Properties" panel. Here, choose “Contents” to filter based on the text contents of the objects.

5. Select the Matching Operator: In the "Operator" dropdown, find and select “* Wildcard Match.” This option allows you to search for text patterns using wildcards.

6. Enter the Wildcard Expression: In the value field, input your wildcard expression—e.g., if you want to identify all text that begins with “LIFT,” you would type “LIFT.” The asterisk () acts as a placeholder for any characters that may follow.

7. Execute the Selection: Once you have completed the above steps, confirm your selections. AutoCAD will highlight all the text instances that match your wildcard criteria.

Utilizing Wildcard Searches in Text Operations

Wildcards can also be beneficial when searching for text in AutoCAD. To do this:

1. Access Multi-line Text Editor: Double-click on any multi-line text object (mtext) to open the text editor.

2. Find and Replace Tool: Navigate to the “Text Editor” tab and click on the “Tools” panel. From there, select “Find & Replace” to reveal the search dialog.

3. Enable Wildcard Option: Within the dialog box, check the option for “Use wildcards.” This allows the search tool to recognize your wildcard characters.

4. Input Your Search Text: In the “Find what” field, type your search phrase, including any wildcard elements.

5. Search for Matches: Click the “Find Next” button to cycle through the instances of the text that matches your criteria. For replacements, use the “Replace” button as needed for specific instances.

Advanced Wildcard Usage

Wildcards aren’t limited to just text searching. They can also streamline searches across various elements in your AutoCAD projects:

1. Initial Setup: Use the FILTER command to access an advanced selection filter that includes wildcard capabilities.

2. Define Object Properties: In the Filter dialog, specify the object types and the attributes you want to target.

3. Employ Wildcards: Just like in Quick Select, you can utilize wildcards within the properties you specify in your filter.

4. Apply and Review: Once you set your filtering criteria, click OK to apply. The results will show all elements that meet your wildcard expression, making it easier to manage complex drawings.

FAQ

What is a wildcard in AutoCAD?
A wildcard in AutoCAD is a character like an asterisk (*) or question mark (?) that can be used to represent one or more characters when performing searches or selections.

How does using wildcards improve my workflow in AutoCAD?
Using wildcards enables you to quickly find and manage similar objects or text entries without manually scanning through your entire drawing, saving time and increasing efficiency.

Can wildcards be used in other AutoCAD commands?
Yes, wildcards can be used in several other AutoCAD commands, such as FIND, QSELECT, and various command filters, to enhance searching and selection capabilities throughout your projects.