How to Create Custom Property in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

To create a custom property in SolidWorks, open the part or assembly, go to File > Properties, then under the Custom tab, add a new property name and value. This lets you store extra information like material, project name, or revision directly in your model.

Syntax

In SolidWorks, custom properties are added through the File Properties dialog. The key parts are:

• Property Name: The label for your custom data (e.g., "Material").
• Type: The data type like Text, Number, Date, or Yes/No.
• Value/Text Expression: The actual information you want to store.

You access this dialog via File > Properties in your open document.

arm_architecture

File > Properties > Custom tab > Add Property Name > Select Type > Enter Value > OK

Example

This example shows how to add a custom property named ProjectName with the value BridgeDesign to a part.

arm_architecture

1. Open your part file in SolidWorks.
2. Click on <strong>File</strong> in the top menu.
3. Select <strong>Properties</strong>.
4. In the <strong>Custom</strong> tab, click <strong>Add</strong>.
5. Enter <code>ProjectName</code> as the property name.
6. Choose <code>Text</code> as the type.
7. Enter <code>BridgeDesign</code> as the value.
8. Click <strong>OK</strong> to save.

Output

Custom property 'ProjectName' with value 'BridgeDesign' is saved in the part file.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when creating custom properties include:

• Not saving the file after adding properties, so changes are lost.
• Using inconsistent property names, which makes searching and linking difficult.
• Entering values in the wrong type field, like putting text in a number field.
• Forgetting to update properties when the design changes.

Always double-check property names and save your document after editing.

arm_architecture

Wrong:
File > Properties > Custom > Add > Property Name: "material" (lowercase inconsistent)
Value: "Steel"

Right:
File > Properties > Custom > Add > Property Name: "Material" (consistent capitalization)
Value: "Steel"

Quick Reference

Step	Action
1	Open part or assembly file
2	Go to File > Properties
3	Select Custom tab
4	Click Add to create new property
5	Enter Property Name, select Type, and enter Value
6	Click OK to save changes

Key Takeaways

Access custom properties via File > Properties > Custom tab in SolidWorks.

Use clear and consistent property names for easy management.

Always save your file after adding or editing custom properties.

Choose the correct data type for each property value.

Update custom properties regularly to reflect design changes.