reviting

Keynotes seem to be a bit of an unused or mysterious tool to most new Revit users. It is, however, extremely useful.

Keynotes are a simple method of associating a number or code and a name to any object (sort of like your little black book). Names and numbers are specified in a plain text file with a single 'tab' between the Number and the Name.

To locate your default Keynotes text file, create a new project and select Settings -> Keynoting... and note the 'Full Path'. Once you have created your own Keynotes file you can specify it here by clicking Browse...

In this example we will be creating a new Keynotes file and using it within a new project. You may also want to check out the default Keynotes file for reference.

Creating a new Keynotes file -

This must be done outside of Revit, so open up Windows Explorer (Shortcut: Windows Key + E). Navigate to the location of your default Keynotes file, right click in an empty space here and then select New -> Text Document. Rename this new text file to say 'newkeynotes.txt'.

Now double click on the file you created to open it up in Notepad.

Keynotes files have a simple format, that is:
'Value' <Tab> 'Name' <New Line>

Create 3 lines as per below and then save the file with File -> Save:

WA1 Wall 1
WN1 Window 1
DO1 Door 1

Remember to use the Tab key, not spaces, between the value and name.