Symbol Reference Names

[r00n]

Let us assume I have a big knob potentiometer that controls volume.

I want to rename the reference of the symbol from RV1 to VOLUME.

Once I do this, I can see a question mark besides the name. VOLUME? appears in the symbol fields. Trying to update the PCB then throws an error that stating a fully annotated schematic is required.

How do I go about naming a symbol? Input/output/volume/data etc?

hope my question is clear enough.

Thanks.

[jmk]

Hi @r00n

You cannot remove or change the Ref (RVx) unless you create a special pot in a personal library, Ref. it Volume and use that symbol. Doing the fore mentioned will result in a Ref “Volume1”.

Easiest, and probably best way, is to use a different field. See the two examples below.
Use the “+” to add new fields if necessary and the “Show” column to display the information you wish to see.

[Piotr]

@r00n

Once I do this, I can see a question mark besides the name. VOLUME?

It is not a good idea to make symbol which will not be able to be used more than once in the schematic.

[paulvdh]

You are attempting to abuse the Reference (RefDes). They are used for all kind of things, and their names are not arbitrary. For example if you send a BOM to Digikey (just to name a shop) they do not know what a “Volume” is.

Reference designator

If you want to add your own text, that’s OK, but do it as simple text, or as some custom field in the symbol.

[mf_ibfeew]

Every reference designator must end with a digit, otherwise it’s not valid (and get’s the question mark as sign). See manual for schematic editor Schematic Editor | 8.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad , section “Reference Designators and Symbol Annotation”.
This is currently a requirement of trhe software.

[r00n]

Thanks
Crystal clear now.
You are the best