In brief
- Dimension or label text boxes can be selected with the Quick Selection cursor or by clicking a corner of the text.
- Selected text boxes can be positioned using editing functions such as Move, Rotate, and Mirror.
- The pointer line’s starting angle can be set between 0 and 90 degrees; the default is 90 degrees.
- When copying dimension text, only simple text elements are transferred; superscripts are not copied.
Graphisoft’s Archicad 29 help documentation explains how to position text boxes used with dimensions and labels, edit pointer lines, and copy dimension text. These tools help keep annotations clear and organized in drawings that use dimensions, fill text, and labels. The steps below are limited to the functions described in the Archicad 29 documentation.
1. Select and reposition the text box
To edit dimension or label text, first select its text box. Graphisoft describes two ways to do this: use the Quick Selection cursor or click a corner of the text with the Checkmark Arrow cursor. Once selected, the text box can be moved, rotated, or mirrored using the editing functions.
Find the dimension or label text you want to edit.
Select the text box with the Quick Selection cursor. Alternatively, click a corner of the text with the Checkmark Arrow cursor.
Use editing functions such as Move, Rotate, or Mirror to change its position or orientation.
To select the pointer line as well, click the line rather than the text. This selects the text box and line together and provides additional editing options.
Selecting the text box and pointer line together lets you adjust the line connection and text placement in the same edit. If you only want to move the text, make sure the text box itself is selected.
2. Adjust the pointer line’s appearance and connection
A pointer line can be used with text labels and dimension text. According to Graphisoft’s instructions, first enable the line using the Pointer button, then set the line type and pen color. You can choose to connect the line to the top, middle, or bottom of the text box. If needed, the line can be extended to run below the text line.
For multiline text, the line can also connect to the first or last line of text. The connection point can be set to the top, middle, or bottom of the line. The line can be configured as straight, curved, or flipped. These options can make it clearer which annotation the line refers to, but the right choice depends on the drawing layout.
The documentation states that the starting angle can be set to a value between 0 and 90 degrees. The default angle is 90 degrees, measured from the dimension line. The lock icon can prevent the angle from being changed graphically. When the lock is on, the starting angle stays fixed, but graphical editing options are limited.
| Setting | Suggested value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Pointer starting angle | 0–90 degrees; default 90 degrees | Sets the line’s starting angle relative to the dimension line. |
| Text box connection | Top, middle, or bottom | Chooses where the pointer connects to the text box. |
| Text line connection | First or last line; top, middle, or bottom of the line | Sets the connection point for multiline text. |
| Pointer style | Straight, curved, or flipped | Changes the line’s appearance. |
You can also set the arrowhead style, pen color, and size. There is also an option to hide pointer line arrowheads in views beyond a specified scale; enter the desired scale in the relevant field. The documentation does not recommend a single ideal scale or arrowhead size for this field, so decide based on the readability of the project drawing.
3. Understand automatic pointer lines and locking behavior
Even if a pointer line has not been enabled manually for dimension text, it may appear automatically when the text box is dragged beyond a certain range. Graphisoft does not specify a numerical value for this range. Rather than assuming a fixed distance at which the automatic line will appear, check the result as you position the text.
An automatically added line can be removed by turning off the pointer line in Dimension Text Settings, moving the text box back within the range, or checking the Revert to Automatic Position option. Locking the pointer line’s starting angle keeps the angle fixed, but also limits graphical editing. It is therefore best to use the lock when a consistent angle is needed and keep in mind that it may reduce editing flexibility afterward.
4. Copy dimension text and check an important risk
To transfer dimension text to another text box or onto a Layout, select only the text; do not include the dimension line in the selection. Then use Edit > Copy or the Ctrl/Cmd + C shortcut. At the destination, paste using Edit > Paste or Ctrl/Cmd + V. The documentation states that this method copies only simple text elements and does not transfer superscripts. Check for this formatting difference before using the copied content.
There is also an important deletion warning: deleting dimension text also deletes the corresponding dimension segment. So deleting the text should not be treated as merely clearing the annotation. If you want to adjust the text placement while keeping the dimension value or segment, select the text box and use editing functions instead of deleting it.
Use in architectural drawing and interior design workflows
In plans, sections, and details with many dimensions and labels, repositioning text boxes can help reduce overlapping annotations. The pointer line’s connection point and style can help clarify the relationship between text and the drawing element it refers to. These options are useful for managing multiline labels and tight layouts, but the final appearance of the text should still be reviewed in the context of each drawing.
This guide is based on the behavior described in Graphisoft’s Archicad 29 help documentation. Since the documentation does not provide specific hardware requirements, licensing terms, or a separate compatibility list for these functions, no recommendations can be made on those topics. When setting team standards, use settings such as starting angle, connection point, and arrowhead visibility consistently across project drawings. Also check for lost superscripts in copied text and remember that deleting dimension text also removes the segment.
Common mistakes
Selecting the dimension line instead of the text box when trying to edit only the text.
Overlooking that graphical editing options are limited after locking the pointer angle.
Forgetting that deleting dimension text also deletes the corresponding dimension segment.
Assuming that superscripts will be transferred when copying text.
Assuming a fixed distance for the automatic pointer line to appear when the documentation does not specify one.
Sources
2 sourcesSource texts are not republished; short quotes are marked, everything else is our own summary and commentary.
For architecture and interior design offices in Turkey, the practical value of these tools lies in providing more control over the readability of dimensions and labels on a drawing sheet. In crowded plans especially, reviewing the text box, line connection, and arrowhead settings together can help maintain drawing standards.
The documentation does not provide hardware requirements or licensing information for these functions, so they should not be treated as a reason to purchase or upgrade a system. The two most important practical checks are that deleting dimension text also removes the segment and that superscripts are not transferred when copying. Adding these behaviors to a team’s sheet-checking list can help prevent unwanted losses during last-minute edits.
Frequently asked questions
How do you move dimension text in Archicad 29?
Select the dimension text box with the Quick Selection cursor or click a corner of the text with the Checkmark Arrow cursor. Then use an editing function such as Move.
How do you set the pointer line angle in Archicad?
The pointer starting angle can be entered as a value between 0 and 90 degrees; the documentation gives 90 degrees as the default. The lock icon keeps the angle fixed against graphical changes.
Are superscripts copied along with dimension text in Archicad?
No. According to Graphisoft’s documentation, only simple text elements are copied; superscripts are not transferred.
