Commands

AUDIT command in AutoCAD : Evaluates the integrity of a drawing and corrects some errors

If you need a clear, practical guide to using the AUDIT command in AutoCAD, this article explains what the command does, step‑by‑step usage, common problems and fixes, alternative commands, and best practices for keeping drawings healthy. Examples and tips are included for beginners and experienced users alike.

What is the AUDIT command?

The AUDIT command in AutoCAD evaluates the integrity of a drawing’s database and can detect and correct certain errors (invalid objects, database inconsistencies, etc.). It is a basic maintenance tool used to keep .dwg files stable and to reduce corruption-related issues.

Key outcomes of running AUDIT:

  • Detects invalid or corrupted objects.
  • Offers to fix (repair) detected errors automatically.
  • Can reduce file size and remove problematic data.
  • Helpful before sharing or archiving drawings.

When and why you should use AUDIT

Use AUDIT when you notice:

  • Unexpected crashes or freezes when opening or editing a drawing.
  • Strange display artifacts or objects that cannot be selected.
  • Unexplained increases in file size.
  • Errors reported when opening a file in another workstation or version.

Run AUDIT routinely on drawings that are edited frequently, shared across teams, or that contain many external references and third‑party objects.

How to run AUDIT — step by step

Method A — Command line (recommended)

  1. Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Type AUDIT at the command line and press Enter.
  3. AutoCAD will ask: “Fix any errors detected? <Yes/No>:”
    • Type Y (Yes) to allow AutoCAD to fix discovered errors.
    • Type N (No) to only report errors without fixing them.
  4. Wait for the process to complete — AutoCAD will report the number of errors found and fixed.
  5. Save the drawing (use SAVEAS to create a fresh file copy if you prefer).

Typical output example:

  • “1 invalid object found. Fix? [Yes/No]:”
  • “Audit complete. 1 errors found and fixed.”

Method B — Menu / Ribbon

  1. From the menu: Application Menu (A) > Drawing Utilities > Audit.
  2. Follow the same prompts as the command line.

Tips for running AUDIT

  • Always backup the drawing before running repair tools.
  • Run AUDIT then SAVE or SAVEAS to write corrected data to disk.
  • If you have many files, automate via scripts or LISP to run AUDIT in batch.

Alternative and complementary commands

  • RECOVER — Opens and attempts to repair a drawing at open time. Use when a file is corrupted and won’t open cleanly.
  • RECOVERALL — Like RECOVER but also attempts to recover all XREFs referenced by the drawing.
  • PURGE / -PURGE — Removes unused layers, blocks, linetypes, and other named objects to clean file clutter. Use after AUDIT for additional cleanup.
  • OVERKILL — Removes duplicate or overlapping geometry (useful for polylines and line cleanup).
  • WBLOCK — Write objects to a new drawing (create a clean DWG by copying to a new file).
  • SAVEAS (different DWG version) — Save in a newer or older DWG format to strip some corrupted metadata.
  • DWGCONVERT (or use Autodesk DWG TrueView) — Convert files between DWG versions and sometimes rescue data.

Use AUDIT together with RECOVER and PURGE for best results. For drawings with XREF chains, use RECOVERALL so issues in referencing files are also addressed.

Why AUDIT sometimes doesn’t work (common causes) and fixes

  • File is severely corrupted:

    • Fix: Use RECOVER or RECOVERALL. If that fails, try INSERT the corrupted drawing into a new blank drawing or use WBLOCK to export valid objects.

  • Drawing is read‑only, on a network share, or locked:

    • Fix: Copy the file locally and ensure you have write permissions. Run AUDIT on the local copy.

  • Third‑party objects or proxy entities:

    • Fix: Use the original application/plugin that created them or convert proxies via the appropriate Object Enabler. Consider exploding or substituting proxies after conversion.

  • File version mismatch or software bug:

    • Fix: Open with the latest AutoCAD service pack or use DWG TrueView or a newer AutoCAD to resave the file. Try SAVEAS to a different DWG version.

  • Insufficient disk space or I/O errors:

    • Fix: Free disk space, check disk health, and run AUDIT again.

  • Data in XREFs is corrupted:

    • Fix: Run RECOVERALL or individually recover referenced drawings, then reattach XREFs.

  • AUDIT reports zero errors but drawing still behaves oddly:

    • Fix: Use PURGE, OVERKILL, and consider WBLOCK to a new drawing; sometimes cleaning named objects and rewriting the file resolves strange behavior.

Practical workflow examples

Example 1 — Quick check and repair

  1. Open drawing.
  2. Type AUDIT, press Enter.
  3. Respond Y to fix errors.
  4. Type PURGE > All > confirm.
  5. Save or SAVEAS to a new file.

Example 2 — Corrupted file that won’t open normally

  1. In AutoCAD open the application menu > Utilities > RECOVER.
  2. Select the corrupted .dwg file.
  3. If XREFs exist, run RECOVERALL.
  4. Once opened, run AUDIT and then PURGE.
  5. Save as a new file (use SAVEAS).

Example 3 — Create a clean copy of a problematic drawing

  1. Open the problematic drawing.
  2. Run AUDIT and PURGE.
  3. Use WBLOCK to write the MODEL space or desired objects to a new DWG.
  4. Open the new DWG and run AUDIT one more time, then SAVE.

Tips and best practices

  • Always keep an external backup before running repair tools.
  • Add AUDIT to your weekly maintenance routine for active projects.
  • Combine AUDIT, PURGE, and OVERKILL to both fix errors and reduce file size.
  • For batch processing, create a script or LISP routine to run AUDIT and PURGE on multiple files.
  • Keep AutoCAD up to date with the latest patches to avoid known bugs.
  • When exchanging files with partners, encourage consistent AutoCAD versions and run AUDIT before sending.
  • For files with heavy proxy content, install appropriate Object Enablers or request a proxy‑free file from the sender.

FAQ

Will AUDIT delete my drawing objects?

AUDIT does not randomly delete normal geometry. It will attempt to fix or remove invalid or corrupted objects. Always backup before running it. If an object is irreparably corrupted, AUDIT may remove it during repair.

What is the difference between AUDIT and RECOVER?

AUDIT checks and repairs database integrity of an already open drawing. RECOVER attempts to open and repair a corrupted drawing file that may not open properly. Use RECOVER when the file fails to open; use AUDIT for routine integrity checks.

Can AUDIT fix a severely corrupted drawing?

Sometimes — AUDIT can fix many common database inconsistencies. For severe corruption, combine RECOVER/RECOVERALL, WBLOCK, SAVEAS, or use conversion tools like DWG TrueView. In extreme cases, reconstructing the drawing in a new file may be necessary.

How often should I run AUDIT?

Run AUDIT whenever you suspect problems (crashes, display issues, large file size), and consider adding it to a periodic maintenance schedule (weekly or monthly) for active projects.

Why does AUDIT report errors but still leave problems?

AUDIT repairs database inconsistencies but may not address logical problems (incorrect geometry, wrong layer assignments, or duplicate entities). Use PURGE, OVERKILL, and manual checks after AUDIT to resolve logical or layering issues.

Can AUDIT fix issues in XREFs?

No — AUDIT only works on the current drawing. Use RECOVERALL or open and run AUDIT/RECOVER on the referenced drawings individually.

Is there a way to automate AUDIT for many files?

Yes — you can create script files (.scr) or LISP routines to open drawings, run AUDIT (and PURGE), save them, and then close. Use caution and always test on copies first.

If AUDIT fails, what should I try next?

Try RECOVER/RECOVERALL, create a new blank drawing and use INSERT to bring in the corrupted file, use WBLOCK to export valid objects, or convert the file using DWG TrueView. If issues persist, contact Autodesk support or consult backups.

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