Managing Xrefs
The EXPXREFS command opens the External References section of the Drawing Explorer dialog box.
The XREF command opens the Attachments panel.
The Drawing Explorer - External References dialog box allows you to:
- Attach a drawing as an external reference ( ). ).
- Detach an external reference ( ). ).
- Reload an external reference ( ). ).
- Unload an external reference ( ). ).
- Bind an external reference ( ). ).
- Insert an external reference ( ). ).
- Modify the attachment type: Attach or Overlay.
- Modify the Saved Path of an Xref.
- Modify the Found Path of an overlay.
To detach external references
- Select the Xref(s) you want to detach.Press and hold the Ctrl key to select multiple Xrefs or to unselect a selected Xref. 
- Click the Detach Xref tool button ( ) on the Details toolbar. ) on the Details toolbar.The selected Xref(s) are detached. You are not prompted to confirm the detachment. 
To unload external references
Do one of the following:
- Click the Loaded column of a loaded Xref.
- Select the Xref(s), then either click the Unload Xref tool button ( ) on the Details toolbar or click the Loaded column of one of the selected Xrefs. ) on the Details toolbar or click the Loaded column of one of the selected Xrefs.
To reload external references
Do one of the following:
- Click the Loaded column of an unloaded Xref.
- Select the Xref(s), then either click the Reload Xref tool button ( ) on the Details toolbar or click the Loaded column of one of the selected Xrefs. ) on the Details toolbar or click the Loaded column of one of the selected Xrefs.

