What is a ʼDesign Tableʼ (using Excel) in SolidWorks?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

A Design Table in SolidWorks is an Excel-based table used to create and manage multiple part or assembly configurations from one model. The most common method is inserting a Design Table from the Insert menu, then driving dimensions, features, and suppression states with Excel rows and columns. Limitation: it depends on Excel-compatible table behavior and clean configuration naming.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Design Tables can easily break if dimension names, feature names, or configuration names are changed after the table is created. A very common failure is rebuilding the model and finding cells no longer control the intended parameters because the linked names no longer match.

How to Use a Design Table in SolidWorks

  • Command: Design Table

  • Shortcut: No default keyboard shortcut

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the part or assembly, then go to Insert > Tables > Design Table.
    2. In the PropertyManager, choose Auto-create or Blank, and enable the option to allow SolidWorks to add controlling dimensions and features automatically if needed.
    3. Edit the embedded excel table, add configuration names in rows, then define dimensions, feature suppression, or parameter values in columns and rebuild the model.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Auto-create option in the Design Table PropertyManager

  • Expert Setting: This option lets SolidWorks automatically populate the Excel table with editable dimensions, feature states, and existing configurations. It is the fastest professional setup method, but it can add unnecessary columns if the model is not already organized.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Driven dimensions, renamed features, or deleted model dimensions can break the link between the Design Table and the model.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): If the embedded Excel worksheet is not editable due to file access restrictions, read-only status, or external Excel handling issues, updates may not write back correctly.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Invalid configuration names, incorrect suppression syntax, or mismatched parameter headers prevent SolidWorks from generating or updating configurations properly.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Right-click the Design Table, choose Edit Table, then verify the exact dimension and feature names using the FeatureManager and rebuild with Ctrl+B or Ctrl+Q.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use Design Tables when you have many repeatable size or option variations to manage. Avoid them for small one-off models or poorly named legacy parts, where direct configurations are usually faster and safer.

FAQ

Can a Design Table control feature suppression?

Yes, it can suppress or unsuppress features by configuration through table entries.

Does a Design Table require Microsoft Excel?

In most standard workflows, yes, because SolidWorks uses Excel-style table functionality for editing.

Is a Design Table better than manual configurations?

Yes, when you need to manage many similar configurations efficiently and consistently.

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