What is a ʼSheet Formatʼ in SolidWorks?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

A Sheet Format in SolidWorks is the reusable border, title block, notes, logos, and linked properties applied to a drawing sheet, typically edited through Edit Sheet Format. It standardizes drawings and speeds documentation using the most common template-based workflow. Limitation: changes may not update older drawings automatically.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Editing the sheet format directly can overwrite title block notes, linked properties, or company border data across future drawings if you save over the source format file. A common failure is confusing Sheet Format with Sheet Properties, which causes users to edit the wrong layer of the drawing.

How-to

  • Command: Edit Sheet Format

  • Shortcut: [No default keyboard shortcut]

  • Quick Steps:

    1. In a drawing, right-click the sheet background or Sheet1 tab, then choose Edit Sheet Format.
    2. Edit the border, title block notes, logo, anchor points, or linked note fields in the graphics area.
    3. Right-click again and choose Edit Sheet, then save the format as .slddrt using File > Save Sheet Format.

  • Use the fastest common professional method: right-click the sheet and switch between Edit Sheet Format and Edit Sheet.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Use custom property links in title block notes, such as $PRPSHEET:"Description" or $PRP:"DrawnBy".

  • Expert Setting: These linked note properties control whether title block values update from the model, sheet, or drawing custom properties. Using the wrong property link is a common reason title block fields appear blank or show outdated values.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Border entities, note anchors, or title block blocks were moved or deleted while in Edit Sheet Format, breaking alignment or note placement.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Notes, sketch entities, or inserted blocks may be on hidden or locked layers, making parts of the sheet format appear missing or uneditable.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users edit the sheet format when they actually need Sheet Properties or the drawing template, so sheet scale, projection type, or format behavior does not change as expected.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Right-click the sheet, choose Properties, then use Reload or reapply the correct Sheet Format (.slddrt) if the border or title block is wrong.

  • Manager’s Verdict: Use Sheet Formats for company-standard borders and title blocks, but control them centrally and avoid ad hoc edits in production drawings. For enterprise workflows, lock down approved .slddrt and drawing template files.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Sheet Format and a drawing template in SolidWorks?
A Sheet Format stores the border and title block, while the drawing template stores document settings like units, standards, and dimensions.

What file type is a SolidWorks Sheet Format?
A SolidWorks Sheet Format is saved as a .slddrt file.

Can I apply a new Sheet Format to an existing drawing?
Yes, use Sheet Properties to browse to and load a different .slddrt file.

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