AutoCAD PURGE command
Shortcut: PUHousekeeping
Removes unused blocks, layers, linetypes, text styles and other named objects, shrinking the file and cleaning imported junk.
Syntax
PURGE → check nested items → Purge AllStep by step
- Type PU and press Enter.
- Tick the option to purge nested items.
- Review the list — anything still in use will not appear.
- Click Purge All, then repeat until nothing remains.
- Run AUDIT afterwards to fix any reported errors, then save.
Cleaning a file received from a consultant
PURGE with nested items on, run three times, then AUDIT with fix errors. A 40 MB drawing full of imported styles routinely drops below 10 MB, and the layer list becomes readable again.
Common mistakes
- Purging once and assuming it is done — nested definitions need repeated passes.
- Expecting purge to remove layers still referenced inside a block or an xref.
- Purging registered application data blindly, which can strip third-party object data.
Questions
Why won't a layer purge?
Something still references it: an object, a block definition, an xref layer, or a viewport override. Use the LAYDEL command with care, or find the reference first.
Does purging reduce file size?
Yes, often dramatically on files that have been copied between projects. Combine PURGE, AUDIT and a save, and consider WBLOCK for badly corrupted drawings.