Reference file levels do not update within master design file

	Product:	MicroStation
	Version:	V8i, CONNECT
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Levels
	Subarea:	General

Problem

Reference levels in my master file do not update. When you make a change to a level in the reference file, the reference level does not change in the master file.

*This article was originally written for MicroStation V8 version 08.00.00.00, but the concepts still apply for the current v8i & CONNECT versions of MicroStation.

Solution

If you want the level settings in your master file to match the level settings in your reference file, there are three different methods that can be used to achieve that result.

Solution 1 - Manually Update Levels within the Level Manager

If you manually want to update the reference levels in the master file to match the level settings in the reference file, you can update the levels from within the Level Manager. From the Home tab>Primary Ribbon Group, open the Level Manager and select and highlight the reference file. Right click on the mouse and select "Update Levels' from the row of tools in the dialog box. The levels will update to the levels in the reference file.

Solution 2 - Automatically Update Levels for Specific Master Files

If you want the reference levels in your master file to update automatically when the file is open but only for specific master files, you need to use the file setting REFLEVELOVERRIDES within the master file.
First, open the master file that you want the reference file levels to match the levels in the reference files. Open the key-in dialog (Home tab>Primary Ribbon Group>Key-In). In the Key-in window, type
SET REFLEVELOVERRIDES OFF and press enter on your keyboard. Be sure to save the settings. Now when you open this particular master file, the reference levels in this file will update to match the levels in the reference file.

Solution 3 - Automatically Update Levels for All Master Files

If you want the reference level settings to update automatically for all files, you need to use the system variable MS_LEVEL_AUTO_SYNC_ATTRIBUTE_LIST.
This variable can be set to a list of valid values. Each value will determine what level setting will be updated. There is a list of valid values in the online help documentation or in the Configuration Variables dialog box as shown below:

This variable will affect all files when they are open. You will need an understanding of configuration variables to use this method.

Any of the methods above will work, but it will depend on your situation as to which method is best suited for your needs.