How to Convert DWG to Excel: Extract AutoCAD Data Without a License

DWG™ files are everywhere in construction. Floor plans, MEP layouts, site plans, detail drawings: opening them needs AutoCAD® or a compatible viewer.

Many tasks need the data rather than the drawing: entity counts, layer names, block attributes, text content, coordinates. Those fit in a spreadsheet.

The CAD2DATA Pipeline includes a DWG to Excel converter that reads .dwg files directly and exports the data to .xlsx + .pdf. No AutoCAD. No AutoCAD license. Runs offline on Windows® and Linux. Workflows and documentation are in the cad2data repository on GitHub.

What data can you extract from a DWG™ file?

DWG files contain geometric entities, not building elements. The data you get is different from Revit® or IFC:

Data	What you get
Entities	Lines, Polylines, Circles, Arcs, Text, MText, Dimensions, Hatches, Blocks
Layers	Layer name, color, line type, visibility
Block attributes	Block name, attribute tags and values (door schedules, room labels, equipment tags)
Text content	All text and MText strings with coordinates
Geometry	Start/end points, vertices, insertion points, bounding boxes
Properties	Color, line weight, line type, scale

Block attributes often hold structured data such as door schedules, equipment tags and room numbers. The converter writes them as Excel columns.

Quick start

git clone https://github.com/datadrivenconstruction/cad2data-Revit-IFC-DWG-DGN.git
cd cad2data-Revit-IFC-DWG-DGN

# Windows (use full paths!)
DDC_WINDOWS_Converters\DDC_CONVERTER_DWG\DwgExporter.exe "C:\Projects\FloorPlan.dwg"

# Linux
sudo apt install ddc-dwgconverter
ddc-dwgconverter input.dwg output_dir/

Output: FloorPlan_dwg.xlsx (data) + FloorPlan_dwg.pdf (visual rendering).

Supported DWG™ versions

The converter reads AutoCAD DWG files from 1983 to 2026. The most common format codes:

Format	AutoCAD® versions
AC1032	AutoCAD 2018–2026
AC1027	AutoCAD 2013–2017
AC1024	AutoCAD 2010–2012
AC1021	AutoCAD 2007–2009
AC1018	AutoCAD 2004–2006
AC1015	AutoCAD 2000–2002

Older DWG versions back to 1983 are covered too. Files from AutoCAD® LT, BricsCAD®, ZWCAD, and other DWG-compatible software work the same way.

Batch processing

import subprocess
from pathlib import Path

converter = Path(r"C:\DDC\DwgExporter.exe")
for dwg in Path(r"C:\Projects").glob("*.dwg"):
    result = subprocess.run(
        [str(converter), str(dwg)],
        capture_output=True, timeout=300
    )
    status = "OK" if result.returncode == 0 else "FAIL"
    print(f"{dwg.name}: {status}")

The same loop works over a project archive. Every file gets the same table structure, so the results can be loaded into one database.

n8n™ workflows

Same workflow system as our other converters. Import n8n_1_*.json, change the converter path to DwgExporter, set your file. The n8n workflows are converter-agnostic, they just call different executables.

Typical uses

• Legacy project migration: extract structured data from thousands of old DWG files into a database or ERP
• Equipment inventories: pull block attributes (equipment tags, specifications) into Excel for asset management
• Layer audits: check naming conventions, identify non-standard layers across hundreds of files
• QTO from 2D drawings: when you only have floor plans, not 3D models, entity counts and measurements still matter
• Text extraction: pull all text from drawings into a searchable spreadsheet

FAQ

Can I convert DWG™ to Excel® without AutoCAD®?

Yes. The converter reads DWG files directly. No AutoCAD, no viewer, no Autodesk® account needed.

Does it extract block attributes?

Yes, all block attributes with their tag names and values. Useful for pulling door/window/equipment schedules from 2D drawings.

Does it handle DXF files too?

The converter is optimized for DWG. For DXF, convert to DWG first using any free tool, or use the DXF as-is if your workflow supports it.

What about 3D DWG files?

3D entities (3D solids, meshes, surfaces) are extracted as data rows, not as a 3D model. The DWG converter outputs XLSX and PDF, no DAE geometry. For full 3D BIM data, consider using the Revit or IFC converter instead.

Download

Free Community version of the DWG converter (personal and research use; commercial licence on request). Extracts entities, layers, block attributes, text to structured Excel. CLI + batch processing. No AutoCAD needed.

Get it on GitHub
DWG to Excel converter: download and details

Working with other formats? See our guides for Revit to Excel, IFC to Excel, DGN to Excel, and Revit to IFC conversion.

AutoCAD® and DWG™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. Revit® is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Excel® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. BricsCAD® is a registered trademark of Bricsys NV. n8n™ is a trademark of n8n GmbH. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.