Working with a Sheet Symbol File Name Object on a Schematic Sheet in Altium Designer

Created: Januar 26, 2016 | Updated: September 26, 2016 | Applies to versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1 and 17.0

Now reading version 17.0. For the latest, read: Working with a Sheet Symbol File Name Object on a Schematic Sheet in Altium Designer for version 21

Parent page: Schematic Objects

Sheet Symbol Filename

Summary

The Sheet Symbol Filename is a non-electrical child object of an electrical design primitive. It provides the link between the sheet symbol and the schematic sub-sheet that the symbol represents.

Availability and Placement

The Sheet Symbol Filename is automatically placed when the parent sheet symbol object is placed.

While attributes can be modified during placement (Tab to bring up associated properties dialog), keep in mind that these will become the default settings for further placement unless the Permanent option on the Schematic – Default Primitives page of the Preferences dialog is enabled. When this option is enabled, changes made will affect only the object being placed and subsequent objects placed during the same placement session.

Graphical Editing

This method of editing allows you to select a sheet symbol filename object directly in the workspace and change its location graphically. Sheet symbol filenames can only be adjusted with respect to their size by changing the size of the font used (accessed through the Sheet Symbol File Name dialog). As such, editing handles are not available when the sheet symbol filename object is selected.

Click anywhere inside the dashed box and drag to reposition the sheet symbol filename object as required. The object can be rotated or flipped while dragging.

Press the Spacebar to rotate the filename. Rotation is counter-clockwise in increments of 90°.

If you attempt to graphically modify an object that has its Locked property enabled, a dialog will appear asking for confirmation to proceed with the edit. If the Protect Locked Objects option is enabled on the Schematic – Graphical Editing page of the Preferences dialog and the Locked option for that design object also is enabled, that object cannot be selected or graphically edited. Double-click on the locked object and disable the Locked property in the Sheet Symbol File Name dialog or disable the Protect Locked Objects option in the Schematic – Graphical Editing page of the Preferences dialog to graphically edit the object.

Non-Graphical Editing

The methods of non-graphical editing are described in the following sections.

Via an Associated Properties Dialog

Dialog page: Sheet Symbol File Name

This method of editing uses the Sheet Symbol File Name dialog to modify the properties of a sheet symbol filename object, independent of the parent sheet symbol object.

The Sheet Symbol File Name dialog

After placement, the Sheet Symbol File Name dialog can be accessed in the following ways:

Double-click on the filename field of the placed sheet symbol object.
Select the filename field of the sheet symbol object and choosing Properties from the right-click pop-up menu.
Click Edit » Change then click once over the filename field of the placed sheet symbol object.

The Sheet Symbol File Name dialog can be accessed prior to entering placement mode by double-clicking Sheet Symbol Filename in the Primitives region of the Schematic - Default Primitives page of the Preferences dialog (DXP » Preferences » Schematic » Default Primitives). This allows you to change the default properties for the sheet symbol filename, which will be applied when placing subsequent sheet symbols.

The Filename of the sheet symbol, which can also be set on the Properties tab of the Sheet Symbol dialog, must be set to the file name of the schematic sub-sheet that the symbol represents.

Multiple sub-sheets may be referenced by a single sheet symbol. Separate each filename by a semi-colon in the File Name field. With the effective use of off-sheet connectors placed on the sub-sheets, you can effectively spread a section of your design over multiple sheets treating them as though they were one giant (flat) sheet. Note, however, that use of off-sheet connectors is only possible for sheets referenced by the same sheet symbol.

Via an Inspector Panel

Panel pages: SCH Inspector, SCHLIB Inspector, SCH Filter, SCHLIB Filter

An Inspector panel enables the designer to interrogate and edit the properties of one or more design objects in the active document. Used in conjunction with appropriate filtering - by using the applicable Filter panel, or the Find Similar Objects dialog - the panel can be used to make changes to multiple objects of the same kind, from one convenient location.

Via a List Panel

Panel pages: SCH List, SCHLIB List, SCH Filter, SCHLIB Filter

A List panel allows the designer to display design objects from one or more documents in tabular format, enabling quick inspection and modification of object attributes. Used in conjunction with appropriate filtering - by using the applicable Filter panel, or the Find Similar Objects dialog - it enables the display of just those objects falling under the scope of the active filter – allowing the designer to target and edit multiple design objects with greater accuracy and efficiency.

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