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After 7+ hours including several reading posts here I've reached the conclusion that either there is a defect in ACAD (very, very unlikely), or, there is some secret, undocumented way to create a usable template file that ATTEXT can use to extract attribute information from blocks. The goal is to construct a small building within ACAD (before the first piece of material is cut or even bought) exclusively from blocks with attribute information for each block and then to extract what will end up being a bill of materials and cost sheet. (in lieu of my normal approach of hand sketching, trial and error cutting and fitting as I go along). I have read the manual 4 - 5 times, followed instructions exactly (or at least think I have), reviewed postings here (and then trying different ways as suggested in this forum). Nothing works. I have even created a single block in single file with one attribute to simplify it. Once I can figure out what's wrong, I can get back to it. Anyway, same error comes back every time. The current, extremely simplified, PracticeExtractAttributes.txt (template file) file reads: BL:MYBLOCK C01500 STICKNAME C01500 with MYBLOCK being the block name and STICKNAME being the tag name for one attribute from the drawing. Same error. Note: although I use ACAD very infrequently I have been using it since (if I recall correctly) 2.56 back in the 80s and currently use 2000. I am missing something but have no idea what. What's the secret? JEH PS the ATTEXT will create a DXX file with the information in it (hence my conclusion the problem is in the template file), but that would require me to spend hours and hours writing code to parse the DXX file (once I had the format figured out) to get the info out.

What I know from office programs, is that if I make a template file, upon saving the file, it will ask for new name, like as it is a new file. I was expecting same concept in AutoCAD, so I made a template with dwt extension and save it in template folder of cad. I opened it to draw a drawing and upon saving I was expecting it to ask for a name and save location, but it saved under same template file. What is wrong with my steps and is template concept different in AutoCAd from other programs?