Use this to change an instance of a documentation symbol in a PCB or Schematics design to use a different symbol from the Documentation Symbol Library.
If you simply want to replace the doc symbol with a newer version from the library, use the Reload From Library option.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: I or Alt+Enter
Default Menu: Edit
Command: Properties
Locating this option
Available from: Properties option Doc Symbol tab > Change option
How To Change A Documentation Symbol
Select the documentation symbol that you wish to change. Use the Properties option from the Edit menu, or from the shortcut menu. Now switch to the Doc Symbol Properties tab.
From this Properties page, select the Change button to the right of the current Symbol name. The following dialog will be displayed:
Look In
Use this to choose a documentation symbol library to search for the required symbol. The library list is set up in Library Folders in the library manager. Two special entries exist:
Use [All Libraries] to choose from symbols in all of the documentation symbol libraries. If the same symbol is in more than one library, the first found will be used, so library order is important.
Use [Current Design] to choose from the documentation symbols already added to the design.
Which Symbols
Use the Filter box to enter a string containing the ”*” or ”?” wildcard characters to filter the list to only matching names e.g. “A*“. Use the No. Pins box to limit the matching symbols to those of a set number of pins (blank means any pin count). The dialog will be primed with the number of pins on the Doc Symbol you are currently editing. Press Apply to alter the list of names accordingly. The count of symbols that matched the filters is shown in the dialog.
Symbol
This listbox contains the symbol names to choose from. Select the one required. The number of pins on the selected symbol is displayed in the Pins box.
Preview
Use this to optionally display what the symbol will look like when added to the design.
Performing The Change
Press OK when you have selected the new documentation symbol in the dialog. You will be returned to the properties dialog where you can change other properties of the symbol.
Connected Symbols
If your symbol was connected, like a ground symbol in schematics for example, you really should change it to a symbol with the same number of pins. If you choose a doc symbol with no pins the connection will be changed to end in space.
Related Topics
Library Folders | PCB Doc Symbol Library | SCM Doc Symbol Library | Properties - Documentation Symbol | Reload From Library