Use Properties to change a Block Instance to use a different Block from the Library.
There are two aspects to a block instance. The contents of the block (components & connectivity), and the symbol which is displayed on the containing page. Change Block is primarily for updating the contents of the block, but you can also choose to update the symbol.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: I
or Alt+Enter
Default Menu: Edit
Command: Properties
Locating this option
Available from: Edit menu > Properties option
Available from: Context menu > Properties option
Available from: Shortcut key > I
How To Change A Block
Select the Block Instance that you wish to change. Use the Properties option from the Edit menu, or from the shortcut menu. Now switch to the Component Properties Tab.
From this property page, select the Change button to the right of the current Part name. The following dialog will be displayed:
Look In
Use this to choose a block folder to search for the required block. The library list is set up in Library Folders in the library manager. Two special entries exist:
Use [All Folders] to choose from blocks in all of the parts libraries. If the same part is in more than one library, the first found will be used, so library order is important.
Use [Current Design] to choose from the blocks already added to the design.
Which Blocks
Use the Filter box to enter a wildcard string. The number of Pins box will be primed to contain the same number of pads as the block you are changing, so when you enter the dialog the list of blocks all have the correct number of pins.
Press Apply to alter the list of blocks names accordingly. The number that matched the filter is shown in the dialog.
Block Name
This listbox contains the names of all the matching blocks to choose from. Select the one required.
Description
The description is the string entered in the Block Properties when the block was created.
Change Symbol
The Change Symbol check box allows you to update the symbol, as well as the block contents. The symbol name shown in the dialog is the name of the symbol defined in the selected block. If no symbol is defined in the block, the field is blank, meaning that the symbol would be generated.
Preview
Use this to optionally display what the block will look like when added to the design.
Performing The Change
Press OK when you have selected the new block in the dialog. You will be returned to the properties dialog where you can change other properties of the block.
Related Topics
Library Folders | Insert - Block Instance | Properties - Block | Properties - Block Instance | Generate Block Symbol | Hierarchy