What linking a revision number means in SolidWorks
Linking a revision number to a property in SolidWorks means connecting a number you define (like "Rev 1" or "Rev A") to a custom field in your file so that the revision appears automatically wherever you place it — in drawings, title blocks, or reports. Instead of typing the revision number into each location by hand, you set it once in the file's properties, and SolidWorks pulls that value into any field that references it.
This matters because design files change. When you update a part and increment the revision, you want every drawing, every title block, and every bill of materials to show the new number without you having to hunt down and edit each one separately. A linked revision property does that automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Custom properties in SolidWorks are user-defined fields you create to store information like revision numbers, part numbers, or dates.
- You create a custom property by opening File > Properties, clicking the Custom tab, and typing a property name and value.
- Once a custom property exists, you insert it into a drawing or title block by clicking Insert > Field and selecting the property name from the list.
- When you change the custom property value, every field linked to it updates automatically across all drawings and documents that reference it.
- The most common workflow is to create a custom property called "Revision" in the part file, then insert that field into the title block of the drawing.
Creating a custom property for revision in your part file
Open the part file in SolidWorks and go to File > Properties. Click the Custom tab. You will see a blank table with columns for Property Name and Value.
In the Property Name field, type Revision (or whatever you want to call it — some teams use "Rev", others use "RevisionNumber"). In the Value field, enter your starting revision, such as 1, A, or Rev 1 — whatever your company standard is. Click OK to save.
The property now exists in that part file. You can see it again anytime by returning to File > Properties > Custom. When you need to update the revision, you come back here, change the value, and click OK. Every drawing and field linked to this property will reflect the new value the next time you open or refresh that drawing.
Inserting the revision property into a drawing title block
Open the drawing that uses this part. Navigate to the title block — this is usually a table or text area in the lower right corner of the sheet. Click inside the cell or text box where the revision number should appear.
Go to Insert > Field. A dialog box opens showing available fields. Look for a dropdown or list that shows custom properties. Select Revision (or whatever you named the property in the part file). Click OK.
SolidWorks inserts a field code into that location. The revision number from the part file now appears in the title block. If you later change the Revision property in the part file and then open or refresh the drawing, the title block updates automatically.
Linking revision to multiple drawings from the same part
If one part file has multiple drawings — a front view, an assembly drawing, a detail sheet — you can insert the same Revision field into the title block of each drawing. They all reference the same custom property in the part file, so updating the property once updates all of them.
This is where the workflow saves time. Instead of opening each drawing and manually changing the revision number three times, you change it once in the part file's properties, and all three drawings reflect it the next time someone opens them or refreshes the view.
If you are working with an assembly, you can also create a custom Revision property in the assembly file itself and link drawings to that property instead. The principle is identical — one source of truth, multiple documents pulling from it.
Updating the revision number when your design changes
When you make a significant change to the part — a new hole, a different material, a dimension change — you increment the revision. Open the part file, go to File > Properties > Custom, and change the Revision value to the next number or letter in your sequence (2, B, Rev 2, whatever your standard is). Click OK.
Save the part file. The next time someone opens a drawing linked to this part, or the next time you refresh the drawing view, the new revision number appears in the title block automatically. No manual editing of the drawing needed.
Some teams automate this further by using SolidWorks' revision table feature, which creates a formal change log in the drawing itself. But the basic linked property approach works for most small to medium shops and is simpler to set up.
Common mistakes when linking revision properties
The most common mistake is creating the custom property in the drawing instead of in the part file. The drawing can reference the part's properties, but properties created only in the drawing do not sync back to the part. Always create the Revision property in the part file first.
Another mistake is forgetting to save the part file after changing the property value. If you update the Revision property but do not save, the drawing will not see the change. Save the part, then open or refresh the drawing.
A third issue is using inconsistent property names. If one drawing looks for a field called "Revision" but the part file has a property called "Rev", the link breaks. Check that the property name in the part file matches exactly what you reference in the drawing field.
When to use linked properties versus manual entry
Linked properties are worth setting up if you have more than one drawing per part, or if you update designs regularly and want the revision to stay in sync across documents. For a one-off drawing that never changes, manual entry is faster.
If your company uses a PDM system (Product Data Management) like SolidWorks PDM or Vault, those systems often manage revisions automatically and override manual linking. Check with your IT or engineering team about whether your shop uses PDM before building a custom property workflow.
For small teams or individual designers, linked custom properties are a practical way to keep drawings accurate without extra work each time you update a design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a revision property to a drawing without linking it to the part file?
No. The drawing can only pull from properties that exist in the part file or assembly file. You must create the custom property in the source file first, then insert a field in the drawing that references it. A property created only in the drawing does not sync anywhere else.
What happens if I change the revision in the part but forget to save?
The drawing will not see the change. Custom properties are stored in the file itself, so they only update when you save. Always save the part file after changing the Revision property value, then refresh or reopen the drawing to see the update.
Can I use a linked revision property in a title block template?
Yes. If you create a title block template with a field linked to a Revision property, any new drawing that uses that template will automatically pull the revision from its associated part file. This is one of the most efficient ways to standardize revisions across your shop.
What if I have an assembly with multiple parts — do I link to the assembly revision or each part's revision?
That depends on your workflow. If the assembly itself is the design unit and parts rarely change independently, create a Revision property in the assembly file and link the assembly drawing to it. If individual parts are revised separately, link each part drawing to its own part's Revision property. Most shops do one or the other, not both.
Does SolidWorks update linked properties automatically when I open a drawing?
SolidWorks checks for updates when you open the drawing, but sometimes you need to manually refresh. If you changed the part's Revision property and the drawing still shows the old number, try right-clicking the field and selecting Update Field, or close and reopen the drawing.