AutoCAD · Text Input
A CAD drawing is more than just dimension numbers. Part names, material callouts, notes, machining instructions — there are more situations that require text than you might expect. And text input in AutoCAD is not as simple as a word processor. There is quite a bit to learn: the difference between single-line and multi-line text, font settings, and style management.
“From single-line text (DT) to Match Properties (MA) — everything you need to know about AutoCAD text input, all in one place.”
In this article, we will go through the difference between single-line text (DT) and multiline text (MT), how to configure text styles (ST), and how to unify styles using Match Properties (MA).
1. Single-Line Text (DTEXT · Shortcut: DT)
As the name suggests, this command inputs one line of text at a time. It is mainly used for simple labels such as part names, short annotations, or text inside table cells.
- Basic usage: DT → Enter → Click the text start point → Enter text height → Enter → Enter rotation angle (usually 0) → Enter → Type text → Press Enter twice (or click empty space) to exit
- Pressing Enter once moves to the next line so you can continue typing — but each line is created as a separate object. If you type 3 lines, you get 3 independent text objects.
- To finish, press Enter twice or click on an empty area of the drawing.
To insert special symbols in single-line text, use the following codes:
- %%C → Diameter symbol (Ø)
- %%D → Degree symbol (°)
- %%P → Plus/Minus tolerance symbol (±)
For example, to write “Ø10 hole”, type %%C10 hole and AutoCAD will display Ø10 hole.
2. Multiline Text (MTEXT · Shortcut: MT)
This command inputs multiple lines of text as a single object. It is ideal for long descriptions, machining instructions, or any content-heavy text block.
- Basic usage: MT → Enter → Click the first corner of the text area → Click the opposite corner → Type in the text editor that opens → Close with Ctrl + Enter or by clicking outside the editor
- Since a word-processor-like editor opens, you can freely control font, size, color, line spacing, paragraph alignment, and bullet points.
- Even with multiple lines, the entire block is treated as one object, making it easy to move or copy all at once.
3. DT vs. MT Comparison
| Feature | Single-Line Text (DT) | Multiline Text (MT) |
|---|---|---|
| Object structure | Each line is a separate object | All lines form one single object |
| Formatting | Limited (single font & height) | Rich (font, size, color, alignment, etc.) |
| Editing | Edit each line individually | Edit the entire paragraph at once |
| How to exit | Enter twice or click empty space | Ctrl+Enter or click outside |
| Best for | Part names, short notes, table text | Long descriptions, machining notes, complex formatting |
It depends on team workflow, but in practice: short labels and part names on the drawing floor tend to use DT, while title blocks, lengthy revision notes, and machining instructions often use MT. Knowing both and picking the right one for the job is the real skill.
4. Text Style (STYLE · Shortcut: ST)
Before you start typing, it is worth setting up a Text Style first. A text style is a preset definition of font, height, and width factor — a key element for maintaining consistent text appearance throughout the entire drawing.
- How to open: ST → Enter → The “Text Style” dialog box opens
- Select or create a style from the list on the left; configure font, height, width factor, and oblique angle on the right.
- Click Apply and close — all subsequent text you enter will use that style.
4-1. SHX Fonts vs. TrueType (TTF) Fonts
AutoCAD supports two main types of fonts:
| Feature | SHX Fonts | TrueType (TTF) Fonts |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | CAD-native vector font made of line segments | Windows system fonts with smooth curves |
| Advantages | Lightweight, fast, excellent compatibility | Better aesthetics, wide variety of typefaces |
| Disadvantages | Plain appearance | Compatibility risk (font must be installed on every PC) |
| Best for | Dimensions, general annotation, notes (industry standard) | Drawing titles, cover sheets, decorative emphasis |
In professional environments, SHX fonts are the default choice because drawing compatibility matters most. If a TTF font is not installed on the receiving PC, the text will fail to render correctly.
4-2. Big Font — Displaying CJK Characters (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
SHX fonts natively support only ASCII (Latin) characters. To display CJK characters — Chinese, Japanese, or Korean — you need to enable the Big Font option in the Text Style dialog.
- In the Text Style dialog, check “Use Big Font” and choose a CJK-compatible Big Font from the list.
- Common Korean Big Fonts included with AutoCAD:
| File | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| whgtxt.shx | Single-stroke Gothic | Most widely used in Korean industry |
| whgdtxt.shx | Double-stroke Gothic | Slightly heavier line weight |
| whtgtxt.shx | Double-stroke Bold Gothic | For emphasis or title text |
If you open a drawing and see question marks (???) or rectangular boxes (□□□) instead of CJK characters, the required font file is missing on your system. Here is what to do:
- Step 1 — Identify the missing font: When AutoCAD opens the file, a “Font Substitution” warning dialog may appear listing the missing font name. Note it down.
- Step 2 — Check via STYLE command: Run ST → Enter. In the Text Style list, any style with a missing font will be flagged. The font name shown there is what you need to locate or substitute.
- Step 3 — Copy the font file: If you have the correct .shx file (from the originating PC or a shared drive), copy it to AutoCAD’s font folder: typically C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Fonts\
- Step 4 — Use FONTALT as a fallback: If the original font is unavailable, set the system variable FONTALT to a substitute. In the command line, type FONTALT → Enter → type the replacement font name (e.g., whgtxt.shx) → Enter. AutoCAD will use this font whenever a specified font is missing.
- Step 5 — Reassign via STYLE: Open the Text Style dialog (ST), select the affected style, choose an available font, and click Apply. The drawing will re-render with the new font.
If the drawing was originally created using TTF fonts (e.g., “맑은 고딕”) and those fonts are not installed, the same ??? symptom appears. In that case, install the TTF font or reassign the text style to an SHX + Big Font combination for reliable portability.
5. Match Properties (MATCHPROP · Shortcut: MA)
When you receive a drawing that multiple people worked on, text styles are often inconsistent — different fonts, different heights, mixed colors. Instead of fixing each object one by one, Match Properties lets you copy the properties of a source object onto any number of target objects.
- Basic usage: MA → Enter → Click the source object (cursor changes to a paintbrush icon) → Click each target object you want to update → Press ESC to finish
- The source object’s layer, color, linetype, text style, and text height are all copied to the target objects at once.
- Click multiple targets in sequence — a single MA command can unify as many objects as you need.
5-1. Matching Only Specific Properties
By default, MA copies all properties at once. But sometimes you only want to change the text style while keeping the layer assignment intact.
- MA → Enter → Click source object → Before clicking a target, type S → Enter → The “Property Settings” dialog opens
- Check only the properties you want to copy, uncheck the rest, then click OK → Click the target objects
- This lets you apply a selective subset of properties without affecting everything else.
Match Properties works on any object type — lines, circles, hatches, and more. For example, you can copy the layer, color, and linetype of one line to a group of other lines in a single operation. Its range of use goes far beyond text style unification — it is one of the most versatile productivity tools in AutoCAD.
Quick Reference: Text-Related Commands
| Command | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|
| DTEXT | DT | Single-line text — each line is a separate object |
| MTEXT | MT | Multiline text — all lines form one object |
| STYLE | ST | Create and modify text styles (font, height, width factor) |
| MATCHPROP | MA | Copy properties from a source object to target objects |
| FIND | — | Find and replace text within the drawing |
| SCALETEXT | — | Batch-resize the height of multiple text objects |
| TXT2MTXT | — | Convert single-line text objects into multiline text |
| FONTALT | — | Set a fallback font when a specified font is missing |
Wrapping Up
Text input in AutoCAD may look simple, but once you factor in style management and font configuration, there is quite a bit going on under the surface. Here is the key takeaway:
- Use DT for short labels, and MT for longer, formatted content
- Set up your Text Style (ST) at the start of every project — use SHX + Big Font (e.g., whgtxt.shx) if CJK characters are needed
- If CJK text shows as ???, check for missing fonts via STYLE, supply the .shx file, or set FONTALT as a fallback
- When a drawing has inconsistent styles, MA (Match Properties) unifies everything in seconds