ANNORESET command in AutoCAD : Resets the locations of all alternate scale representations of the selected annotative objects

If you need to reset the positions of Annotative objects that have different locations for different annotation scales, this guide explains the ANNORESET command in AutoCAD in clear, step‑by‑step detail, with troubleshooting, alternative methods, and practical tips.

What is the ANNORESET command?

ANNORESET is an AutoCAD command that resets the locations of alternate scale representations of selected annotative objects. When an annotative object has position data saved for multiple annotation scales (for example, moved to a specific spot in a 1:50 viewport and a different spot in a 1:100 viewport), ANNORESET restores those alternate representations so they match a chosen reference position.

This is useful when annotations appear incorrectly placed across viewports or when you want all scale representations to share the same placement.

When and why you should use ANNORESET

• You added or changed annotation scales and the objects display in different places at different scales.
• Annotative text, leaders, blocks or dimensions behave inconsistently between viewports.
• You want a single, consistent placement for an annotative object across all annotation scales.

Before using ANNORESET, make sure the object is truly annotative and that you are working on the drawing file (not in a locked/frozen layer, xref, or inside a non‑annotative block unless you intend to edit the block).

How to use ANNORESET — Step by step

1. Prepare and back up:

   • Save your drawing (or a copy) before making mass changes.
   • Optionally create a new layer to test changes or isolate the objects you will modify.

2. Identify annotative objects:

   • Use the Properties palette to check an object’s Annotative property (should be Yes).
   • Or use Quick Select (QSELECT) to filter by object type and Annotative = Yes to collect annotative objects quickly.

3. Start the command:

   • Type ANNORESET (or select it from the command line if available) and press Enter.

4. Select objects:

   • When prompted, select the annotative objects whose alternate scale positions you want to reset. You can pick individual items, window/fence select, or use QSELECT to preselect all annotative objects then press Enter.

5. Choose scope (if prompted):

   • Depending on AutoCAD version and the prompt, you may be offered options such as resetting the current scale representation or resetting all alternate scale representations. If you want every scale to use the same position, choose the option that resets all representations (or choose the equivalent option shown in the prompt).

6. Confirm:

   • Press Enter to complete. The command will update the saved locations for the selected objects across the chosen scales.

7. Verify:

   • Check viewports at different annotation scales to confirm the objects now appear in the expected locations.

Practical examples

• Example 1 — Text moved in one viewport: You have a dimension text aligned for a 1:50 viewport but out of place in 1:100. Use ANNORESET on that dimension to make the 1:100 representation match the chosen reference representation.
• Example 2 — Annotative block inside a layout: You select the annotative block and run ANNORESET to make all scale representations use the same insertion point across viewports.

Common reasons ANNORESET doesn’t work (and how to fix them)

• The object is not annotative.

  • Fix: Select the object and set Annotative = Yes in the Properties palette, or recreate the object as annotative.

• The object is inside a non‑annotative block or the block itself is not annotative.

  • Fix: Explode the block (or edit the block definition) and make the nested objects annotative, or create an annotative block version.

• The object is in an XREF (External reference) and you’re trying to reset from the host drawing.

  • Fix: Open and edit the xref drawing directly, or bind the xref into the host drawing and then run ANNORESET.

• The object is on a locked or frozen layer.

  • Fix: Unlock/unfreeze the layer before running ANNORESET.

• The required annotation scales are missing from the drawing.

  • Fix: Add scales via SCALELISTEDIT or use an object in the desired scale to ensure the scale is present.

• Intentional per-scale placement was saved (you or someone else manually moved objects for each scale).

  • Fix: If you want a consistent location, use ANNORESET to overwrite the saved positions. If per‑scale placement is intended, do not reset.

• You expect size changes but ANNORESET only affects position, not size.

  • Fix: ANNORESET only resets location of alternate scale representations. To affect size or scale behavior, check the object’s annotative size or annotation scale settings.

• No visible change after command:

  • Fix: Verify you selected the correct objects and scales; test with a simple annotative object and confirm effect. Undo (Ctrl+Z) and try again on a small set to isolate the issue.

Alternative methods and related commands

• Use the Properties palette:

  • Manually edit an object’s Annotation Scale list (add/remove scales) or set the object to apply changes to all scales or current scale only depending on AutoCAD version.

• Use Quick Select (QSELECT) + MOVE:

  • If only a few objects need repositioning, use QSELECT to pick annotative objects, then MOVE them in each viewport as needed.

• Edit blocks:

  • If annotative content is in a block, open the block editor and convert nested objects to annotative or create an annotative block definition.

• Recreate the annotative object:

  • For persistent problems, recreate the text/leader/block as annotative, assign the correct annotation scales, and replace the old object.

• Manage annotation scales:

  • Use SCALELISTEDIT to add or remove annotation scales globally if scales themselves are causing issues.

Note: AutoCAD versions and UI prompts vary — if your version provides different ANNORESET options, follow the command line prompts. The alternatives above are universal approaches if ANNORESET cannot be applied directly.

Tips and best practices

• Always work on a saved copy before mass resetting annotative data.
• Use QSELECT or FILTER to isolate annotative objects before running commands.
• Keep a consistent annotation scale workflow: add the required scales to the Scale List early in the project.
• Avoid moving annotative objects separately in many viewports unless necessary; prefer resetting once a correct reference position is set.
• When sharing drawings, document whether objects are annotative and which scales are expected to be used.
• If you use annotative blocks extensively, consider a naming convention and store annotative block definitions in your template files.

How do I tell which objects in my drawing are annotative?

Check the Properties palette: selected objects show Annotative: Yes/No. Use QSELECT to filter by Annotative = Yes to list all annotative objects.

Can I reset all annotative objects in the entire drawing at once?

Yes — you can select all annotative objects (for example with QSELECT or FILTER) and run ANNORESET on that selection. Always save a backup first.

Will ANNORESET change the size of annotative objects?

No. ANNORESET only resets locations of alternate scale representations. Sizes are controlled by annotation scale and the object’s annotative settings.

Does ANNORESET work on annotations inside blocks or attributes?

If the annotations are inside a non‑annotative block, ANNORESET won’t affect them. Use an annotative block or edit the block so the contents themselves are annotative, then run ANNORESET.

Can I undo an ANNORESET if the result is incorrect?

Yes — you can use Undo (Ctrl+Z) immediately after running the command to revert changes. Because ANNORESET can update many objects, test on a small set first.

Why do annotative objects still look different between viewports after ANNORESET?

Possible reasons: the object is non‑annotative, resides in an xref, is on a locked layer, or per‑scale positions were intentionally set after reset. Verify the object’s annotative status, Layer state, and whether you edited the xref file.

Which command should I use if I want new annotative objects to inherit the current annotation scale automatically?

Use the ANNOAUTOSCALE system variable (toggle on) so that new annotative objects automatically receive the current annotation scale when created in Model space for paper‑space viewports.