Reference Number

The Reference Number command allows you to increase or decrease the numeric part of the Reference Designator value of components by a specified amount. You can execute this command for the current circuit or sheet, or for the components that you select on the canvas. It is launched by selecting Component > Change > Reference Number on the ribbon in eCADSTAR Schematic Editor. In Component Browser, select Home > Change > Reference Number.

  • When running this command for a component that you select on the canvas, the Reference Designator value is updated on the canvas, and the new value is shown in the Reference Designator row in the Properties panel.
  • When running this command for a component that you select in Component Browser, the new value is shown in the Reference Designator column in Component Browser.

 

Target

Note
If you change the Reference Designator value for a gate component, then the value is updated for all parts in the design with that Reference Designator value.
Item   Description
Whole circuit

 

 The command is executed for the whole circuit. All sheets are updated, including sheets in blocks. When you click Apply, all sheets in the circuit are locked. This prevents other users opening them. They remain locked until the design is saved. If another user is editing a sheet in the circuit, then the command cannot be executed, and an error message is shown. This option is selected by default.
Whole sheet

 

The command is executed for all components in the current sheet.
Selected items   The command is executed for the components that you select on the canvas. Multiple components can be selected using the Ctrl or Shift keys.
  • If components are selected when you execute this command, then this option is selected by default.
  • If components are not selected when you execute this command, then select them on the canvas.

The Apply button is made available when a component is selected on the canvas.

Reference

Item   Description
Increment value by

 

 For a selected component, the value that you specify is added to the numeric part of the Reference Designator value. Positive and negative values can be specified. Each time the command is executed, the last specified value is displayed.
Use same number of digits

 

 Allows you to retain the number of digits in the numeric part of the reference designator when changing its value. This value can be used to preserve the number of leading zeros in a Reference Designator value.

 

 Selected The following example demonstrates how the reference designator is updated.
  • Value in Increment value by box: 2.
  • Use same number of digits check box: selected.
  • Reference designator before execution: IC003.
  • Reference after execution: IC005.

 

 Not Selected

The following example demonstrates how the reference designator is updated.

  • Value in Increment value by box: 2.
  • Use same number of digits check box: not selected.
  • Reference designator before execution: IC003.
  • Reference designator after execution: IC5.

 

Item   Description

Apply

 

For the components associated with the selected target, the Reference Designator value is increased or decreased by the specified value. The Reference Number dialog remains open. Alternatively, right-click and select Apply on the assist menu.

Exit

 

Closes the Reference Number dialog. Alternatively, right-click and select Exit on the assist menu or press the Esc key.

 

Note
  • Reference designators are not checked for duplicates after executing this command.
  • The Reference Designator value is not updated for components without a numeric part to their reference designator.

 

Related Topics
Component Browser