How can I remove the numerical suffix from a component name?

[user40]

In EAGLE (before it went away) we could name components whatever we wanted. Often there would be numerical suffixes as in C1, C2, … But often we’d also have things like connectors and headers that have more descriptive names like POWER, DEBUG, BOOT, ETHERNET, etc.

Unfortunately, in KiCad 9.0.1, when I give a component a name that doesn’t end in a numerical suffix, I am no longer able to update the PCB or Schematic. I get a box that says “Updating PCB requires a fully annotated schematic.”

I tried several ways of renaming the components (change the property in the sidebar, or in the dialog, in the schematic, in the PCB, or directly in the files). But the result is the same, this “Updating PCB requires a fully annotated schematic.” box comes up and doesn’t let me complete the update.

If I click the Annotate button, then not only is a suffix added, but my footprint instances are ripped out of my PCB, which forgets their locations and messes up the routing.

How to I prevent the “Updating PCB requires a fully annotated schematic.” box from coming up when I want a component to have a name without a numerical suffix?

[retiredfeline]

Short answer: You cannot. A refdes has to be of a certain format.

https://docs.kicad.org/9.0/en/eeschema/eeschema.html#reference-designators-and-symbol-annotation

You need to use another field for the name. In some cases the value field can be used, for example a switch SW1 could have the value RESET. A connector could have the value Ethernet. But in other cases you need to add a new field to the symbol.

PS: In KiCad schematics we talk about symbols rather than components.

[user40]

You need to use another field for the name.

This seems to work. I added a Name field, and replaced the reference text in the symbols and footprints with a new text with contents “${Name}”. Thank you!

PS: In KiCad schematics we talk about symbols rather than components.

To be precise, it’s a symbol or footprint instance. (The symbol or footprint is a library element, which multiple instances in the schematic or PCB can refer to.)

[retiredfeline]

Right, now I’ll go get myself a coffee instance.