A dimension is placed, but its text sits on another line, lands in the wrong spot, or needs a note such as "typical" or "steel". That is when you edit dimensions in AutoCAD. Two commands do the job: DIMTEDIT moves and rotates the text, and DIMEDIT rotates, replaces the text and slants extension lines. Each has a trap few people notice.
This article tries every option of both commands in AutoCAD 2027, with the acadiso.dwt template, on a dimension 6000 long. After each step the text position, text angle, override string and measurement are read back from the object. Dimensions in general are covered in dimensions in AutoCAD. For dimensioning taught properly, the Institute runs an AutoCAD course for construction.
Two commands, seven options
| Command | Alias | Options | Menu |
|---|---|---|---|
DIMTEDIT | DIMTED | Left, Right, Center, Home, Angle, or a new point | Dimension → Align Text |
DIMEDIT | DED | Home, New, Rotate, Oblique | Dimension → Align Text → Home |
On the ribbon, their buttons are on the Annotate tab, Dimensions panel (Center Justify, Oblique and so on). Locations and aliases come from the 2027 acad.cuix and acad.pgp files. The Autodesk documentation on DIMTEDIT describes the dimtedit command in a sentence worth reading slowly: "Moves and rotates dimension text and relocates the dimension line."
An easy way to remember them: DIMTEDIT edits one dimension, selected first; the dimedit command asks for the edit first and then applies it to many dimensions at once.
DIMTEDIT: move dimension text left, centre, right
Type DIMTED and the 2027 release asks two questions.
| Step | The prompt | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select dimension: | Select the dimension |
| 2 | Specify new location for dimension text or [Left/Right/Center/Home/Angle]: | Type an option, or pick a new point for the text |
The 6000 dimension starts with its text centred at X = 3000. The results of each option are below.
| Type | Text position | Dimension line |
|---|---|---|
L | X = 7, next to the left end | Unchanged |
R | X = 5993, next to the right end | Unchanged |
C | X = 3000, centred | Unchanged |
A, then 30 | Text at 30°, same position | Unchanged |
The first three options are the quickest way to move dimension text off another line or another dimension when dimensions are packed closely.
The trap: picking a point drags the dimension line
Instead of typing an option you can pick a new point for the text. The dimension line starts at height 800. Pick a new point at height 1500:
| Step | Text | Dimension line |
|---|---|---|
| Original | Centred, height 800 | Height 800 |
DIMTEDIT, pick 4500,1500 | Moved to 4500, 1500 | Moved up to 1500 with the text |
DIMTEDIT → Home | Centred, height 1500 | Still at 1500, not back to 800 |
Moving the text up or down moves the dimension line too. Home only centres the text on the current dimension line; it does not return the line to where it was. In a chain of continued dimensions, this drag knocks one dimension out of line. To move text sideways only, use L, R and C; if you dragged by mistake, type U at once.
DIMEDIT: rotate text and restore it
Type DED; the first question is:
Enter type of dimension editing [Home/New/Rotate/Oblique] <Home>:| Option | Next prompt | Result on the 6000 dimension |
|---|---|---|
R (Rotate) | Specify angle for dimension text: type 45, then select | Text at 45°, value still 6000 |
H (Home) | Select dimensions | Text rotated 30° by DIMTEDIT returns to 0° |
O (Oblique) | Extension-line angle | Slants extension lines; see aligned dimensions |
N (New) | Dimension text <"<>">: | Replaces the text; see below |
Because DIMEDIT asks for the edit before the selection, you can select a dozen dimensions and rotate all their text to one angle, or send them all back Home.
Dimension text override with DIMEDIT New, and how to undo it
New replaces the text. The <> pair stands for the true measurement; anything else is a dimension text override.
Typed at Dimension text <"<>">: | Shows | Stored measurement |
|---|---|---|
<> steel | 6000 steel | 6000 |
5000 | 5000 | 6000 |
<> | 6000 | 6000 |
Typing a number makes the drawing say 5000 while the geometry is 6000, with no warning. It is the most dangerous way to "fix" a dimension, because nobody reading the drawing can tell. The measurement read back from the object is still 6000 in all three rows; only the displayed text changes. So a data extraction or a LISP routine that reads measurements will report 6000 while the sheet says 5000, and the two records of the same drawing no longer agree. When a drawing has been handed over with overrides like this, the quickest audit is to compare the displayed text with the stored measurement for every dimension and list the ones that differ. An overridden dimension also stops following the geometry, as shown in radius dimensions in AutoCAD.
To restore the true value: DIMEDIT → N → type <> → select the dimension. Or clear the override: setting the TextOverride property to an empty string removes the override entirely and the text returns to 6000. For bulk text edits across many dimensions, see the LISP for editing many texts and dimensions.
Choosing the edit for the job
| Job | Use | Effect on the value |
|---|---|---|
| Text sits on a line, move it aside | DIMTEDIT → L or R | None |
| Bring moved text back to the centre | DIMTEDIT → C or Home | None |
| Move the whole dimension line away from the geometry | DIMTEDIT, pick a point | None, but the line leaves its chain |
| Rotate one dimension's text | DIMTEDIT → A | None |
| Rotate many dimensions' text | DIMEDIT → R | None |
| Add a note after the value | DIMEDIT → N → <> plus text | None |
| Restore overridden text | DIMEDIT → N → <> | Shows the true value again |
| Type a different number | Don't | Text disagrees with the geometry |
Only one of these makes the drawing wrong: typing a number over the measurement. Everything else changes presentation only.
Checking a set of dimensions before plotting
Before a drawing goes out, check its dimensions in this order:
- Find text sitting on lines or on other text, and move it with
DIMTEDIT→LorRrather than dragging, so that no dimension line leaves its chain. - If a dragged text has already knocked a dimension line out of its chain,
Homewill not fix it. TypeUif it was the last action; otherwise move the dimension line back into line by hand. - Where hand edits have left text at random angles, select all those dimensions and use
DIMEDIT→Hto return the text to its default angle. - Look for dimensions whose text has been overridden. An override made of a bare number is the dangerous kind; replace it with
<>. - Keep legitimate notes such as "typical" or "steel", as long as they follow a
<>.
After these five steps, every number on the drawing is a true measurement of the geometry, and the only differences left are where the text sits and at what angle. That is exactly what a reviewer should be able to rely on when reading the set without the model open.
It is also worth repeating the check after any late change to the geometry. Associative dimensions that show their plain measurement follow the change by themselves; a bare-number override does not, and will be the first mismatch a site engineer finds.
Three things often repeated that are not true
| Often repeated | What holds on the 2027 release |
|---|---|
| DIMTEDIT only moves text, never the dimension line | Picking a higher point moves the dimension line with it |
| Home restores the dimension as first placed | Home only centres the text on the current dimension line |
| AutoCAD warns when text is changed to another number | It does not; it shows 5000 while measuring 6000 |
Frequently asked questions
Which commands edit dimensions in AutoCAD?
DIMTEDIT moves and rotates the text of one dimension; DIMEDIT rotates, replaces text and slants extension lines on many.
How do I move dimension text to one side?
DIMTED, select the dimension, type L or R. Type C to centre it again.
Why did the dimension line shift when I moved the text?
You picked a point at a different height and the dimension line followed. Type U, then use L, R or C instead of picking.
How do I restore the true measurement?
DIMEDIT → N, type <>, select the dimension. The text shows 6000 again.
How do I rotate the text of many dimensions at once?
DIMEDIT → R, type the angle, then select all the dimensions.
What is the safest way to edit dimensions?
Move and rotate text only; never type a number over the measurement. For notes, type <> followed by the note, so the true value always stays in front of your words.