I am often asked if there is a way to keep your attribute values when you Explode an AutoCAD block. Unfortunately, the short answer there is no, at least if you are using the EXPLODE command. However, if you use the BURST command instead it does just what you are looking for. The BURST command explodes the block while keeping all the attribute values as ordinary AutoCAD text using the original attribute’s layer and text style. It’s that easy, just use the correct command.
One important note for Civil 3D users, the BURST command does not work on Civil 3D objects, like Points, Alignments, or Civil 3D Labels.
If you are thinking, “why doesn’t the EXPLODE command work this way to begin with?” or “why do we need two similar yet different commands?” There are times that you may want to EXPLODE the block back to the attribute definitions, for example, for use when you are editing or creating blocks.
