topic Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance in Modeling

Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

adrianasofiasm_ — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:32:11 GMT

I’m having an issue when entering distances in Archicad. Previously I could move an element with Command + D and simply type the distance (for example 20' or 5"). Now Archicad automatically inserts a feet symbol ' immediately after the first digit, before I finish typing.

For example:

If I try to type 20, it automatically becomes 2'0.
If I want 10, it becomes 1'0.
If i want 5", it automatically becomes 5'.

Because of this I cannot type multi-digit values normally. I have to delete the ' symbol or use the Reference Distance (R) every time, which I did not have to do before.

Nothing in my Working Units (Feet & Inches, fractional) has changed, and I already checked Tracker and Coordinate Input settings, but the behavior persists.

Has anyone encountered this before or knows what setting could cause Archicad to automatically insert the feet symbol after the first digit during numeric input?

Additional info:
I recorded a short video showing the issue. In the first attempt at drawing the line, I press R for reference distance and I’m able to enter the 20' distance I want without any problem.

In the second attempt, I try to simply type 20' directly without pressing R or any other key. You can see that after I type the 2, Archicad automatically inserts the feet symbol (') before I finish typing the number. I then have to delete that symbol in order to type the 0 and complete the distance.

In the last attempt, you can see what usually happens when I’m working quickly. I’m typing distances fast and don’t notice that the ' symbol was inserted automatically, so the value becomes incorrect and I have to stop and go back to fix it.

Previously I was able to work quickly and type distances directly without Archicad automatically inserting the feet symbol after the first digit. Now it happens every time unless I use R for reference distance, which slows down the workflow.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Lingwisyer — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:22:57 GMT

Might be to related your Auto-Update Delay setting. Refer to this thread?

Ling.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

adrianasofiasm_ — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:35:42 GMT

Unfortunately that didn't fix the issue.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

jnkng — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:17:48 GMT

Been having the same issue, out of the blue.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

therealseaboldarch — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:41:47 GMT

I am having the same issue here in AC29. I didn't have this problem in 28.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

JaredBanks — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:18:00 GMT

I heard of someone else having this issue after updating to macOS 26.4. I'm about to update tonight, so will get to discover if that's connected.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Patrick M — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:23:36 GMT

never hunt for that bleeding edge... always stay on the OS and AC versions until the computer no longer supports them <sarcasm>

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Patrick M — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:24:24 GMT

you can edit working units... but I have a feeling thats not the issue here. 20 should never be 2.0

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Patrick M — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:28:30 GMT

I'm on Tahoe 26.3... if its related to 26.4... maybe i'll hold off

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

JaredBanks — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:59:18 GMT

just upgraded to macOS 26.4 and can confirm that's what triggers this. Very bad.

Doing some experimentation. If you start an input into the tracker by typing a number, Archicad will immediately add the ' symbol. If you hit tab first or do cmd+D or shift+R or whatever first, then it doesn't trigger this insane behavior.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

JaredBanks — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:56:04 GMT

On further investigation, Archicad will add either ' or " depending on your working units.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

JaredBanks — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:16:55 GMT

Out of curiosity, I checked. Not only is this an issue with Archicad 29, it is also an issue with Archicad 26, Archicad 27, and Archicad 28 on macOS 26.4.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Barry Kelly — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:33:28 GMT

Which suggests it is a change in the Operating System that Graphisoft have not allowed for, because they didn't know about it.

The question now is, is there a setting in the OS that can fix this or has Graphisoft now got to issue a hotfix to compensate, which will only be for versions 28 & 29 now.

Barry.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

BerendvdHeijden — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:09:16 GMT

As of today, my Archicad has started adding a comma right after the first digit input whenever I try to specify a length. It leads to problems like when I try to place a 550mm wall, I end up with a 5,50mm wall. I have found some bandaids but they are not the solutions I am looking for. If I remove decimals from my working units, it gets rid of the problem but it also gets rid of my ability to see decimals when I actually use them on purpose. I have also noticed it is not an issue when I press tab before specifying the dimension which just adds extra unnecessary steps.

Moderator edit.

This post merged with existing topic.

Re: Archicad adds a comma after the first digit during dimension input

Claudiu Serban — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:52:52 GMT

It's a bug that got introduced after updating to macos 26.4. hopefully it will be fixed asap. meanwhile, my fix is to type tab before inputing the number.

Re: Archicad adds a comma after the first digit during dimension input

Eduardo Rolon — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:27:40 GMT

Typing "R" or "Shift+R" also avoids the extra feet/comma.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

therealseaboldarch — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:24:16 GMT

I submitted a support ticket on it late yesterday for 29. At their request, I switched work environments, but that has had no effect. It is not a "dialogue timing delay" setting issue. They suggested I perform the preference cleaning, but I am holding out on that step.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

JaredBanks — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:28:55 GMT

I also submitted a support ticket and encourage others to as well. I haven't cleared the preferences (https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Installation-update/Preferences-Cleaning/ta-p/303676) either, but even if that works, that's not an acceptable solution as the average Archicad user should not be expected to do that.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Claudiu Serban — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:56:29 GMT

I did the preferences cleaning, as i have my work environment saved. In AC29 it fixed the problem after deleting /Library/Preferences/Graphisoft/AC xx.0.0 yyy v1 folder. On 28 it fubared Archicad (The application “Archicad 28” can’t be opened.) so non tech or no time to waste users, be careful using that solution on AC28.

Gonna test some more on 28, as all my current projects are still on 28, and get back with the results.

Meanwhile, i managed to force start Archicad from terminal, and it did NOT fix the problem.

Re: Archicad automatically inserts ' (feet) after first digit when entering distance

Patrick M — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:03:46 GMT

@Claudiu Serban ; when you get that "can not be opened" issue, try opening a blank out of the box template file, rather than your project file. We've run into similar issues with missing plist and translator support docs/files after a prefs clean up. Opening a blank archicad default template usually rebuilds them.