Multisim provides the ability to handle increasingly complex designs. In addition to multi-sheet designs, users can create sub-circuits (SC), and hierarchical blocks (HB) to modularize repetitive circuits, or to abstract sophisticated designs.

Subcircuits are useful for compacting existing designs that would be best kept in a single file. Hierarchical blocks are better suited for design reuse because they are stored in separate files and can be accessed for other designs.

Hierarchical blocks and subcircuits are functionally identical; the only difference is in how their contents are stored on disk.

Hierarchical blocks and subcircuits can be created using two methods, the first method is to highlight an existing section of a circuit, and select Place/Connectors/HB/SC Connector. The second method is described below.

Figure 1: Hierarchical Block Properties Dialog Box

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Note: If you move or re-name a hierarchical block relative to the main circuit, Multisim will not be able to find it. A dialog box will ask you to provide the new location for the hierarchical block.

To place an existing hierarchical block from a file, select Place/Hierarchical Block from file and follow the same procedure.

Multisim allows users to easily replace existing components with a hierarchical block or subcircuit. Simply select the components which comprise the desired subcircuit or hierarchical block, and select Place/Replace by Hierarchical Blockor Place/Replace by Subcircuit.

The Spreadsheet View provides a global perspective on object properties. It allows fast advanced viewing and editing of parameters including component details such as footprints, Reference Designators, attributes and design constraints.

The Spreadsheet View can also be used to modify groups of components at a time. The view can be sorted by any column in either ascending or descending order. You can also export the contents to Microsoft Excel® for further reports.