I would like to add some additional data to the components in the default symbol libraries. This data would be something like our internal part codes, supplier details, or any other custom data. I want to do this without creating a new custom library through “Save As”, because that would mean I would miss out on any future updates to the default library.
Is there a way to do this?
No. (and chars to 20)
with the DB Library workflow it could be possible, but you have to jump in a much more complex scenario just to solve a small problem. (if we are talking about 7.x)
There might be a way to do this using KiField.
You could create a CSV or Excel file with the field names and values for each part. Then, apply this file to the default symbol library using KiField to add the additional data. Then if the library ever gets updated, just re-apply the CSV file to it to add all your custom data back in.
Generally when the system libraries packages get updated, it isn’t to tweak existing symbols but to add new ones. So you are not likely to see changes to symbols that you have chosen to make a copy of for the purpose of augmenting the fields.
However one possibility is you could clone the system library from the git repo, add your fields, then check now and then to see if there have been changes to the base version which will then have to be merged (which is another issue).
If I were facing this question, I would experimentally make one new “save as” symbol with added fields. Then use a text editor to compare the parent symbol with it’s offspring. Then see if I could accomplish similar with another symbol using text editor.
Is my thinking FOS (Full of …Spaghetti)?
Enjoying coffee and reading posts…
I recently posted a comment to a Kicad Post asking “… can I do this?”
My response was, basically, “Why don’t you try it before asking”.
I’ve hired and fired many Engineers that somehow made it through school but never fully grasped the concept’s of:
• Self-Education
• Curiosity-investigation
• Perhaps-I-Can-Solve-It-Myself…
A good friend Graduated with Master’s deg from leading college. After Six Months of employment as an Engineer, he quit and took a job as Mailman and did that job for 35 years.
I asked about this - he said,‘My father was an Engineer so, I wanted to be one. I hated the work’
Thanks.
I thought there was too much to NOT respond.
I am an engineer and my dad mostly worked sorting mail for the post office.
I am not certain that I would have quickly thought of my proposed approach if it were MY problem. Sometimes it is easier to solve other people’s problems. 
Make sense to work with a forked version and merge the master, there is a lot of things to do.
And …
@BlackCoffee I don’t know what do you mean, but… can you share a coffee?
I mean, by example:
A User may ask “Can I draw a line from A to B?”
If they hadn’t tried it before asking me, they’d be looking for a new job.
If you don’t know what I mean, you either fall into one of the two categories…
Re: Coffee, here…drink up! It’s Hot and made with Home-Roasted Nicaraguan beans…
Database libraries solve this problem among others. Up to you whether or not you feel like it is too complex for your use case.
Maybe I knew what you were talking about and I’m just in a third category.
Thanks for the coffee, much appreciated! Delicious.
Thanks, it’s exactly what I need.
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