How to Export Lateral Connection Data from AutoCAD to Excel (Attribute Block Workflow)

Automating Lateral Connection Documentation in AutoCAD: A Time-Saving Guide

Designing and documenting lateral connections in civil infrastructure projects can be a repetitive and time-consuming process—especially when transferring geometry and annotations from AutoCAD to Excel. While tools like Site3D make manhole exports easy, laterals often require manual transcription.

This guide walks you through a faster, smarter way to handle this using attribute blocks and batch export tools, eliminating the need to manually retype values into spreadsheets.

Tested with AutoCAD 2025 on Windows 11.

Problem Overview

Typical workflow issues include:

• Laterals are drawn and annotated in AutoCAD manually.
• Values like invert level, pipe size, and gradient are added as MText or Text.
• The same data is then manually entered into Excel for reporting.
• High risk of errors and inefficiency when managing dozens or hundreds of connections.

Solution: Use Attribute Blocks with Export Script

Step 1: Create a Custom Block for Laterals

Instead of placing standalone text annotations, you can create a reusable block with attributes. This allows data to be structured, tagged, and easily extracted.

How to do it:

1. Use the BLOCK command.
2. Define insertion point (e.g., lateral origin).
3. Use ATTDEF (Attribute Definition) to create fields such as:
   • Lateral ID
   • Invert Level
   • Pipe Size
   • Gradient
   • Cover Level
   • Manhole Reference
   • Material Type
4. Save the block and insert it into your drawing.

Tip: If every lateral is unique, the attribute values can still be edited individually while maintaining consistent structure.

Step 2: Extract Data Using a LISP Tool

To avoid manually copying attribute data into Excel, use Lee Mac’s Attribute Extractor LISP, which automates this entire step.

• Tool: LMAC Attribute Extractor
• Functionality: Select blocks across one or multiple DWG files, extract attributes, export to Excel or CSV.

Instructions:

1. Download and load the LISP into AutoCAD via APPLOAD.
2. Run the MACATT command.
3. Select your lateral blocks.
4. Choose output format (CSV/Excel).
5. Save the exported data and open in Excel.

Bonus: This works across multiple DWGs, perfect for large infrastructure projects.

Optional Enhancements

• Use Fields for Dynamic Annotations: You can link attribute values to visible text objects that update automatically.
• Combine with Data Extraction Wizard (DATAEXTRACTION): Built-in AutoCAD feature for structured tables.
• Batch insert blocks using scripts or AutoLISP if working with repetitive layouts.

Tools Used