KB: Parameter Visibility Lost After Component Replacement When Parameter Names Do Not Match

Visible Parameter Information Missing After Replacement

After replacing local schematic components with managed components through Item Manager, parameters such as Value, Voltage, and Tolerance may no longer be displayed in the schematic editor. In affected designs, only the component designator remains visible after the replacement process.

Parameter Name Mismatches Cause Data Removal

The issue occurs when parameter names used in schematic components do not match the parameter names defined in the managed components. During replacement, Item Manager evaluates parameter matching rules and may update or overwrite component parameters from the managed source. Any schematic parameters that do not have matching names in the target managed component can be removed, resulting in loss of parameter visibility.

Align Parameter Names Before Replacement

• Rename schematic parameters to match managed component parameter names before running Item Manager.
• Use Parameter Manager for direct parameter renaming.
• Use Find Similar Objects for project-wide parameter updates.
• If parameter names were changed during migration, update managed component templates to match the original naming convention.
• Review parameter matching and update behavior in Item Manager before executing component replacement.

Update Parameters and Replace Components

Verify parameter naming before migration.

1. Ensure parameter names remain consistent when migrating local library components to a server or workspace.
2. Avoid renaming parameters during migration unless a mapping strategy has been defined.

Scenario 1: Simple Parameter Name Difference

Example: The schematic uses VALUE_TXT while the managed component uses Value.

1. Open the schematic sheet.
2. Select Tools » Parameter Manager.
3. Compare the parameter names used in the schematic and managed component.
4. Select the VALUE_TXT column, right-click the column header, and select Rename Column.
5. Rename the column to Value.
6. Apply the changes and execute the ECO.
7. Open Tools » Item Manager.
8. Run Automatch, review the proposed parameter mappings, accept the changes, and execute the ECO.

Scenario 2: Multiple Parameters Mapped to a Single Managed Parameter

1. Identify the schematic parameters that must map to a single managed component parameter.
2. Use Parameter Manager to rename the parameters consistently.
3. Verify the mapping before component replacement.
4. Replace the components using Item Manager.

Scenario 3: Managed Component Contains Additional Parameters

1. Select a parameter value in the schematic (for example, 10VAC).
2. Right-click and select Find Similar Objects.
3. Set the parameter value criterion to Same.
4. Enable Select Matching and select Project Documents.
5. Select Apply, OK, and then Select.
6. Open the Properties Panel.
7. Rename the parameter to AC Voltage.
8. Repeat the process for parameters that should become DC Voltage.
9. Use the project-wide selection created by Find Similar Objects to update all matching components.
10. Replace the components using Item Manager.

Scenario 4: Rename Parameters in Managed Component Templates

1. Record all visible parameter names currently displayed in the schematic.
2. Create a mapping list between DB library parameter names and managed component parameter names.
3. Open Panels » Explorer » Managed Content » Component Templates.
4. Open the applicable component template.
5. Rename the template parameters to match the DB library naming convention.
6. Save the template to the server with Update linked components enabled.
7. Verify the parameter updates in the batch editor and save the changes.
8. Confirm that linked components have been updated because template parameter renames may not automatically update existing components.
9. If lifecycle states differ, enable Preserve lifecycle state during release.
10. After parameter names have been aligned, replace the components using Item Manager.

Final Verification Checkpoint

After the replacement ECO completes, verify that all expected parameters such as Value, Voltage, and Tolerance are visible and displayed correctly in the schematic.

Additional Notes

• This method may affect parameter visibility in Altium sample projects.
• For easier updates, ensure components are in a draft lifecycle state whenever possible.

References

• Item Manager Documentation
• Parameter Manager Documentation
• Find Similar Objects Tool