Chapter 24. Using External Databases

External databases are files that store information. The files are typically composed of tables that look similar to a spreadsheet, with similar data organized in columns called fields, and each unique set of data stored in rows called records. When external databases are used to organize and store data, tremendous volumes of data can be created, edited, and retrieved.

AutoCAD 2002 provides tools that allow you to work with external database files. You can open a database table and view or edit its data. You can link database records to AutoCAD objects, such as lines, circles, and polylines. You can run queries, which retrieve a subset of records based on certain criteria. By using AutoCAD’s tools, you can work with external database files from entirely within AutoCAD.

This chapter reviews AutoCAD’s database tools and explains the steps for working with external database files from directly within AutoCAD. This chapter covers the following subjects:

• Setting up AutoCAD to work with external databases

• Working with database tables

• Working with data and objects

• Using queries