Revit Tip: Shared-Parameter Filters to Auto-Display Design Options

Need each view to display only the intended Design Option without manual toggling? Use a parameter-driven filter strategy that scales across templates and keeps documentation consistent.

Goal: Drive visibility by a shared parameter (e.g., “OptionCode”) so views automatically show one option and hide the rest.

Set up once

• Create a Shared Parameter “OptionCode” (Text).
  • Manage > Shared Parameters > New (or select an existing file).
  • Manage > Project Parameters > Add > Shared parameter > pick “OptionCode.”
  • Apply to the categories you commonly place in options (Walls, Doors, Windows, Furniture, Casework, Generic Models, etc.).
• Establish naming: use a consistent prefix for options, e.g., OPT-A, OPT-B, OPT-C.

Tag the option elements

• Edit each Design Option, select its elements, and set “OptionCode”:
  • Activate the option (Manage > Design Options > Edit Option).
  • Select all relevant elements, then set OptionCode = OPT-A (or B, C) in the Properties palette.
  • Tip: Use window selections + Filter to target categories quickly.
• Leave main-model elements blank (no OptionCode). This prevents them from being affected by “hide non-active” filters.

Create filters that hide non-active options

• Manage > Filters > New:
  • Name: OPT_Hide_NonActive_A
  • Categories: the same categories you assigned “OptionCode” to.
  • Rules (Text):
    • OptionCode begins with “OPT-”
    • AND OptionCode does not equal “OPT-A”
• Open a target view > VG (Visibility/Graphics) > Filters:
  • Add OPT_Hide_NonActive_A and uncheck Visibility (to hide all options except A).
  • (Optional) Add a second filter OPT_Show_A (OptionCode equals OPT-A) with bold lineweight or color to emphasize the active option.
• Save this configuration as a View Template (e.g., VT_Option_A) and apply it to all relevant views. Duplicate the template for Options B, C by swapping the code in the filter(s).

Linked models with Design Options

• Set the displayed option per link in VG > Revit Links > Display Settings > Basic > Design Option. Filters in the host don’t control a link’s internal options.

Best practices

• Keep option geometry lean; complex options still regenerate even when hidden.
• Use consistent codes (OPT-A/B/C) across the whole team and document them in your BIM standards.
• Bundle per-option View Templates into your office template for one-click view setup.
• After “Accept Primary,” remove or normalize OptionCode values to keep schedules and filters clean.

This method avoids per-view Design Option toggles, reduces coordination errors, and standardizes deliverables. Need help refining your Revit standards or choosing the right add-ins? Talk to the experts at NOVEDGE. If you’re evaluating licensing or upgrades, explore Autodesk Revit at NOVEDGE. For visualization and QA add-ons that pair well with this workflow, browse Revit-compatible tools on NOVEDGE.