[SOLVED] Updating reference values without changing the layout

[crgarcia]

Is there any way to update the reference values without shuffling the layout?
I would like refresh all reference values, to get consecutive numbers on components that are close to each other:

But when I update my PCB, all the components are moved (deleted and added again?)

Is there any way to avoid that?

Thanks!

[eelik]

Do NOT use “Re-link footprints to schematic symbols based on their reference designators”.

Update PCB from Schematic's match methods

Updating an existing layout from its schematic requires KiCad to determine which footprint was previously connected to which symbol to avoid undoing your past work. For this reason every symbol is assigned a unique identifier (timestamp based unique ID). This ID is also tracked by the footprint instance. The alternative option is to use the reference designator assigned to your symbol either by the annotation process or by hand. Using the ID allows, changing the reference designator of a symbol…

[crgarcia]

Thank you!! That worked