If you have ever had to add a frame around your text and then have had to edit that text and re-adjust or even recreate the frame, today’s tip will help save you the time from having to edit both the text and frame by simply editing the text.
The following tip has been tested successfully with AutoCAD 2013 and 2014. AutoCAD 2011 doesn’t have the controls to make this tip work as easily and adjustable and I don’t have a way to test this tip in AutoCAD 2012.
Tip: after placing the multileader, adjust the width of the text column since multileaders width are collapsed…
The first thing needed is to set up a multileader “Style” that has the desired text style and height defined
Open the MultiLeader style dialog by entering MLS <enter> in the command line or by clicking on the diagonal arrow in the bottom right of the “Leaders” oanel of the “Annotate” ribbon.
Set the desired text style and heights to your new multileader style and make sure to apply the check mark next to “Frame text” under the “Content” tab. This applies the frame around your text that automatically adjusts.
Apply the Multileader style to the desired multileaders. Notice that there is now a frame around the text. But also notice that there is a leader attached…
To remove the leader:
- Select the Multileader
- Hover over the arrow endpoint of the Multileader
- Select “Remove Leader”
Enjoy your new auto-adjusting text box…
Note: the size of the gap from the text to the frame is controlled by the “Landing gap” setting found in the “Content” tab of the Multileader “Style”
Adding Background Mask to Hide background Objects:
- Double click inside of the Multileader to activate the “Text Editor” contextual ribbon tab.
- Click the “Background Mask” button that is found on the “Formatting” panel of the ribbon
- In the Background Mask” dialog box, check the mark next to “Use background mask”
- Also notice that the offset distance of the background mask is controlled from this dialog box.
AutoCAD Tips 
Instead of creating the leader then deleting it, why not just set the ‘type’ in Leader Format to “none”?
Even better.
Thanks for that tip
~Greg
Now if it would just mask I’d be thrilled. shrug..
I updated the post that shows the steps to add the background mask to the multileader text.
Thanks for the suggestion
~Greg
Hi! Your tip helped a lot. In autocad 2011 it takes a few more clicks but still better than the alternative. THANKS!!
I have trouble adjusting the offset of the textframe (border around the text). There seems to be no control over the distance this frame has to the text. As It is now it’s way too close.
Do you know of a way to adjusti this ? I’d love to be able to give the texts more “breathing” room
Sorry. After a bit of reading I learned that the “landing gap” setting does control this, but only in version 2012 or higher.
I’ve tested this tip in AutoCAD 2012 and it works there as well. 2012 included the ability to both remove the leader or set it to none in the style definition. Agree with others – this is a very cool tip!
Hi Greg, Nice blog you have here. Can you please help me with this cad problem of mine. I want my text to rest on a poly curve line. If the line curve upwards, my text should also curve going to upward direction. Is this possible? Thank you.
I’m happy that the blog is useful to you.
I think that Lee-Mac might have a solution for your needs called “Slinky Text” http://lee-mac.com/slinkytext.html
I like Lee’s solution better than the Express Tool ARCTEXT
This does not seem to work in CIVIL 3D 2013. I can create new MLeader with boxes but cannot modify existing MLeaders to add a box. Am I doing something wrong?
What version are you using (2015? 2014?)…
if pdf file converted in dwg. then how is take dimension in correct form mm or m.?
You would need to scale the converted file by referencing a known length or dimension.
Is it possible to control the linetype on the frame text box, e.g. make the line continuous around the text when the layer containing the leader has a dashed linetype ?
Unfortunately no
That would be a nice option though
Thanks for the reply. I have been trying to do this for a while now, and that is how I came across your tips page. I will have to persevere with changing the text box linetype under Multileader/ General/ Properties which does the job. I dont suppose it would be too difficult for AutoDESK to include an option in the Multileader Style Manager to set the default (General) linetype… but I don’t know how to go about requesting features in AutoCAD.
How about making it an oval instead of a rectangle? One that adjusts with the text like the rectangular frame does. I tried the slot block and can’t figure it out. Thanks!
I make on cad 2010 . Useless! background mask bigger, but text frame not change.
@colombus -adjust the grips of your text to keep the frame and background mask tight. Works a treat !!
Thanks for help. This is very informative article. And a very well experience in you.