Altium Designer Documentation
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Dialog Reference
A to F
File Export IDF
Created: April 20, 2018 | Updated: July 09, 2021
| Applies to versions: 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2 and 21
Now reading version 19.0. For the latest, read: File Export IDF for version 22
The File Export IDF dialog
Summary
The File Export IDF dialog provides controls to configure the properties of exported IDF files.
Access
The dialog is accessed by clicking Save in the Export File dialog after clicking File » Export » IDF Board.
The IDF Board command is only available if the IDF extension is enabled. To enable the extension, go to the Installed tab on the Extensions & Updates page, click the 
button to access the available platform Importers\Exporters, and confirm the IDF exporter is enabled (show image).
You will be prompted to restart the software to complete the installation of the extension.
Options/Controls
- Version - selected the appropriate version.
- Units - select the appropriate units: Imperial or Metric.
- Exported Drilled Holes
- All - select to export all drilled holes.
- Selected - select to export only the selected drilled holes.
- Larger Than - select to export only drilled holes that are larger than the size specified in the text box.
- Exported Sections - enable the checkbox of the desired sections.
- File Compatibility
- Replace '.' With '_' In Component Names - check this box to replace a period character with an underscore character within names of components.
- Replace Blank Component Fields With - enter text for which you want to replace blank component fields.
- Override Part Number With - enable to override part numbers during file generation. From the drop-down menu, you can choose to override the Part Number with any of the following options. The drop-down menu is available only when the Override Part Number With option is enabled.
- Comment
- Item HRID
- Revision HRID
- Library REF
- <Enter Schematic Parameter>
- Component Outlines From Multiple Component Bodies
- Use Bounding Component Body - select to use a bounding component body.
- Create Sub Components - select to create sub-components.
- Generated Files - exporting IDF files will generate two files – one containing information about the physical size and shape of the PCB and positions of components, the other containing information about each component including name, size, and shape. These are typically referred to as the board and library files, respectively. Different CAD packages use different file extensions for the board and library files. Use the drop-down to select the board file and library file extensions of the generated files. Choices include:
.brdand.pro.brdand.lib.emnand.emp.bdfand.ldf.idband.idl.idfand.lib
- Use Unicode - check this box to use the Unicode standard for text in the generated files.