To create levels in Revit, open an elevation or section view, go to the Architecture (or Structure) tab, Datum panel, click Level (or type LL) and click the start and end of the new level line. Then rename it, type its elevation and make sure your grid lines cross it.
Part 2 of my Revit structural series. In part 1 we laid out the grid, which controls where things go in plan. Now we add levels, which control heights. Every footing, column and beam we place later will hang off these levels, so it’s worth getting them right.
Download the file
Download the Revit file from the previous part for free. It’s saved in Revit 2021 format. Revit can’t save to older versions, so you need Revit 2021 or newer to open it.
Video walkthrough
How do I create levels in Revit?
- Open the project from part 1.
- Open any elevation view. I use the South elevation.
- On the Architecture tab, Datum panel, click Level.
- Line the cursor up with the left end of an existing level and click to start. Then line it up with the right end and click again. The new level is created.
- Add as many levels as you need the same way.
How do I rename a level and its views?
Double-click a level’s name and type the new one. When Revit asks “Would you like to rename corresponding views?”, click Yes, so your plan views match.
How do I change a level’s elevation?
Double-click the number under the level name and type the elevation you want. Do the same for every level.
How do I fix overlapping level tags?
If level tags overlap, click the small break symbol under the name and drag the grips to where you want the tag.
Why don’t my grid lines show on a new level?
- Stretch the grid lines so they extend below the new levels. If they don’t cross a level, the grid won’t show up in that level’s plan view.
- To change how level lines look, select one, go to Properties > Edit Type and change the settings. I set the color to green, and every level line in the project changes with it.
Why is my level head black instead of blue?
A blue level head has a plan view linked to it, and you can double-click it to open that view. A black head has no plan view. That happens when you copy a level instead of drawing it. To fix it, go to View tab > Plan Views > Structural Plan (or Floor Plan) and pick the level.
Why can’t I create levels in a plan view?
Levels are heights, so Revit only lets you draw them in an elevation or section view.
Next: Part 3: Spread footings.
