How to Use Design Table in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

In SolidWorks, use a Design Table to create multiple configurations of a part or assembly by linking an Excel spreadsheet that controls dimensions and features. Insert a design table via Insert > Tables > Design Table, then edit the table to add or modify configurations easily.

Syntax

The design table in SolidWorks is created through the menu path Insert > Tables > Design Table. You can choose to create a blank table or import an existing Excel file. The table rows represent different configurations, and columns control dimensions, features, or properties.

Key parts:

• Insert > Tables > Design Table: Opens the design table creation dialog.
• Blank or From File: Choose to create a new table or import an Excel file.
• Columns: Control parameters like dimensions or suppress features.
• Rows: Define different configurations by setting values for each parameter.

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Insert > Tables > Design Table
Choose 'Auto-create' or 'From file'
Edit the Excel table:
| Configuration Name | Dimension1 | Feature Suppress |
|--------------------|------------|------------------|
| Config1            | 50         | 0 (unsuppressed) |
| Config2            | 100        | 1 (suppressed)   |

Example

This example shows how to create a design table that controls a part's length dimension and suppresses a feature in one configuration.

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1. Open your part in SolidWorks.
2. Go to Insert > Tables > Design Table.
3. Select 'Auto-create' and click OK.
4. SolidWorks generates a table with existing dimensions.
5. Add a column for a feature suppression (e.g., 'Suppress-Feature1').
6. Add rows for configurations 'Short' and 'Long'.
7. Set length dimension to 50 for 'Short' and 100 for 'Long'.
8. Set 'Suppress-Feature1' to 0 (unsuppressed) for 'Short' and 1 (suppressed) for 'Long'.
9. Close the table to apply configurations.

Output

Two configurations created:
- 'Short' with length 50 and feature unsuppressed
- 'Long' with length 100 and feature suppressed

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using design tables include:

• Not naming configurations correctly, which causes confusion.
• Using incorrect values for feature suppression (use 0 for unsuppressed, 1 for suppressed).
• Editing the design table outside SolidWorks without refreshing, causing sync issues.
• Forgetting to save the design table after changes.

Always verify configuration names and parameter values carefully.

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Wrong:
| Configuration Name | Length | Suppress-Feature1 |
|--------------------|--------|-------------------|
| Config1            | 50     | Yes               |

Right:
| Configuration Name | Length | Suppress-Feature1 |
|--------------------|--------|-------------------|
| Config1            | 50     | 0                 |

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Notes
1	Insert > Tables > Design Table	Start design table creation
2	Choose Auto-create or From file	Auto-create generates from model dimensions
3	Edit table to add configurations	Rows = configurations, Columns = parameters
4	Use 0/1 for feature suppression	0 = unsuppressed, 1 = suppressed
5	Save and close table	Applies configurations to model

Key Takeaways

Use Insert > Tables > Design Table to create or import a design table in SolidWorks.

Design tables control multiple configurations by setting dimension and feature values in rows and columns.

Use 0 and 1 to control feature suppression in the design table.

Always name configurations clearly and save changes to keep them synced.

Avoid editing design tables externally without refreshing in SolidWorks.