How to Re Order the columns in a parts library Definition.

As a library evolves user attributes are added which can be seen within the parts library on the Definitions tab, however as you add them there is currently no ability to sort the columns within the Library Editor.

I have discovered that there is a way to sort them using a non-formatting text editor such as Notepad.exe.

How it works.

It appears to me that when opening a parts library the first part entry is used to setup the column order for the attributes display, so I think that if we order the first part entry then all our columns will fall into order.

How to change the order.

1) First ensure that you have a backup of your parts library files. (<<<< Very Important bit!!)

2) Open your chosen parts library .lib file in the Library Editor on the Definitions page.

3) At the same time open the same parts library file in your preferred text editor.

An unsorted list of User Attribute Columns:

Note: All attributes must have a value\content for the first part – use a dash “-“ if not.

In your text editor scroll down until you find the first part entry (Search for a full stop “.”).

E.G.

.2N4856 :2 ;N-CHANNEL JFET

S_TO18 (1)

*STM TR

*SYM S_N_JFET

*EXT 1 2 3

*DFN 2N4856

@Value (2N4856)

~Manufacturer (MOTOROLA)

~Attribute1 (2)

~Attribute2 (3)

~Attribute (1)

~Attribute3 (4)

~Attribute4 (5)

~Attribute6 (6)

S_N_JFET (S_N_JFET_1)

1.0 2.1 3.0

Here you can see the attribute names displayed as: “~Attribute2 (3)”

Take note that they are not in order.

If you edit this list for the first part only, so that they are in the order from top to bottom as you would like them left to right in the Library Editor.

E.G.

.2N4856 :2 ;N-CHANNEL JFET

S_TO18 (1)

*STM TR

*SYM S_N_JFET

*EXT 1 2 3

*DFN 2N4856

@Value (2N4856)

~Manufacturer (MOTOROLA)

~Attribute (1)

~Attribute1 (2)

~Attribute2 (3)

~Attribute3 (4)

~Attribute4 (5)

~Attribute6 (6)

S_N_JFET (S_N_JFET_1)

1.0 2.1 3.0

Then save the file in your text editor.

Then within the Library Editor simply File\Reload and the display should change to reflect the new order.

An ordered list of user attribute names.

 Simples.

Disclaimer...  This is at your own risk, the consequences of this have so far not shown to cause any problems. Also the other part entries do not get ordered so the first part must have ALL user attributes filled. 
If you have multiple part library files then the other files need doing also.

This will not change those that are before the "Spice" column.