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adrianasofiasm_
Booster

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

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.

AC28 USA - MacBook Pro 14" - Apple M1 Pro - 16 GB
45 Replies 45

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


Screenshot 2026-03-25 at 6.55.23 PM.png
Jared Banks, AIA
Shoegnome Architects

Archicad Blog: www.shoegnome.com
Archicad Template: www.shoegnome.com/template/
Archicad Work Environment: www.shoegnome.com/work-environment/
Archicad Tutorial Videos: www.youtube.com/shoegnome

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.

Jared Banks, AIA
Shoegnome Architects

Archicad Blog: www.shoegnome.com
Archicad Template: www.shoegnome.com/template/
Archicad Work Environment: www.shoegnome.com/work-environment/
Archicad Tutorial Videos: www.youtube.com/shoegnome
Barry Kelly
Moderator

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.

One of the forum moderators.
Versions 6.5 to 27
i7-10700 @ 2.9Ghz, 32GB ram, GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB), Windows 10
Lenovo Thinkpad - i7-1270P 2.20 GHz, 32GB RAM, Nvidia T550, Windows 11
BerendvdHeijden
Participant

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.

Claudiu Serban
Booster

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.

Archicad 28/29, macOS 26
Eduardo Rolon
Moderator

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

Eduardo Rolón AIA NCARB
AC29 US/INT -> AC08

Mac Studio M4 Max 64GB ram, OS X 10.XX latest
another Moderator

therealseaboldarch
Participant

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. 

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.

Jared Banks, AIA
Shoegnome Architects

Archicad Blog: www.shoegnome.com
Archicad Template: www.shoegnome.com/template/
Archicad Work Environment: www.shoegnome.com/work-environment/
Archicad Tutorial Videos: www.youtube.com/shoegnome
Claudiu Serban
Booster

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.

Archicad 28/29, macOS 26
Patrick M
Ace

@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.

BIM solutions and trouble shooting (self proclaimed) expert. Using Archicad 26 5002 US on Mac OS 11.5.2

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