Layer Name Simplification

[Zdenko]

is there a way i can globally modify layer names? for example i find the A - Annotations..... layers way to long in characters and would like to shorten/abbreviate and would like to eliminate all of the "-" in between words.

Operating system used: Mac Intel-based Sonoma 14.4.1

[Barry Kelly]

Globally edit a list of layers - no.

You have to amend each layer name individually.

Barry.

[Xandros · Accepted solution]

You could try exporting it via the Attribute Manager by Index and do a search and replace in editor / notepad ++ for example and reimport it by Index again.

[Barry Kelly]

Good thinking Xandros, that does work.

You just have to be very careful with the find & replace that you are only editing the layer name in the XML file.

The '-' for example is also used in the GUID numbers.

But if you are searching for ' - ' (space -  space), then it should be easier to find just in the layer name.

Barry.

[Xandros]

I'd love to do so in Excel since it can handle xml-files and it would definitely be safer (not changing things that doesnt need to be changed) and there are more tools at hand to do systematic replace of text, but haven't figured out a way of saving it back to an xml that is still readable for ArchiCAD.

[Ahmed_K]

Archicad XML files use complex XML mapping tables, that can be read by excel , but it can't be exported back to XML

you need to use Notepad ++ or some advanced coding skills with python

[Zdenko]

thanks Xandros and Barry! I am very comfortable with Excel and XML, will give it a try here shortly on my TPL file.

[Zdenko]

bouhmidage - should have read your message before trying! does not work in XML which s..ks... will try Notepad

[Zdenko]

well i am SOL? Notepad++ is Windows based and requires too much brain damage to get it running on OS, if i come across anything will chime back in.

[Ahmed_K]

Try this,

Easy XML Editor - XML Software (edit-xml.com)