Management and Update Procedure for AutoCAD Block Host Files

However, there is a powerful (and often overlooked) method to force AutoCAD to recognize updated source files:

If your block is on a custom tool palette, right-click the block icon and select Redefine to pull in the latest changes from the source drawing. Important Commands for Block Management

This method allows you to "Redefine" existing blocks in your current drawing by pulling the updated definition from a host file. Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Open DesignCenter Locate Host File : In the left folder tree, browse to and select the DWG host file that contains the updated block definitions. Access Blocks : Double-click the category under that file to see previews of its contents. Redefine Only