How to Use Direct Manipulation Controls to Modify Stair Components in Revit
After selecting the stairs you want to edit and the specific stair components, you can use the modification controls to directly manipulate these elements.
Modifying Stair Components
Select the staircase, then go to the Modify | Stairs tab and click on the Edit panel to enter the Edit Stairs mode.
In stair component editing mode, you will see kick index numbers displayed as references throughout the editing process. These numbers indicate the first and last kick surfaces in each flight, updating dynamically as you make modifications.
Click to select the component you wish to modify. If needed, press the Tab key to cycle through and highlight components before selecting.
Note: If multiple connected components are selected—such as stairs and platforms—direct manipulation controls will not be available.
Use the direct manipulation controls to modify stair components. (For details about the numbered controls shown in the illustration below, please refer to the accompanying table.)
Moving Staircases
You can move an entire flight of stairs by multiples of the kick height value. Connected components, like automatic platforms, stay linked, and the heights of the staircase components remain unchanged.
To move a stair run, select it and drag it to the desired location. For example, the staircase can be shifted to the left as shown below.
Adding or Removing Steps at an Open Stair End
Steps or kickboards can be added or removed at the open end of a staircase. When steps are added to the open end of the top flight, they extend beyond the staircase’s top elevation. The kick index number will update to reflect the added steps.
Select a stair run and drag the solid dot control at the stair end to add or remove treads or kicks. In the example below, three steps are added at the top of the staircase.
Rotating the Staircase
Rotate a stair run by dragging the solid dot control at its open end or by using the Rotate tool found under the Modify panel.
Select the stair run component and drag the solid dot control to rotate it. If the stair is connected to an automatic platform, the platform’s shape will automatically adjust to fit the new stair angle.
Balancing Steps in a Staircase
For staircases like diagonal or spiral stairs, you can balance the number of steps by manipulating one end. This changes the step configuration while maintaining the overall staircase height.
Drag the arrow-shaped control at one end to adjust the step layout. In the example below, the diagonal step leg on the right is extended while the adjacent leg adjusts to preserve the original height.
Balancing Steps Between Two Staircases
If an automatic landing was not specified during stair run creation or was deleted afterward, you can still balance steps between two stair runs.
Drag the solid dot controls at the ends of each flight to modify the step counts and maintain balance.
You can create a platform by selecting two flights or by drawing a platform to connect them.
Repositioning Legs of an Inclined Step Staircase
Legs in an inclined step staircase can be repositioned while keeping the other diagonal legs in place. Steps are added or removed on connected legs to maintain the staircase’s original height.
Select a flight and drag the square control to move the diagonal leg. The position of this control is based on the initial flight creation setting called Positioning Line. In the following example, the positioning line is set to Stairway: Left side, so the control appears at the staircase’s left boundary.
Drag the square control of the top diagonal step leg downward to create the inclined step staircase shown below.
Adjusting Clearance Gaps
To meet clearance requirements, you can modify the platform height, reposition stairs, or balance the number of treads and kickplates between flights.
To adjust platform height, select the platform in an elevation view and use the Move tool to reposition it. Alternatively, you can edit the platform’s Height property in the instance properties. When the platform height changes, the steps between flights automatically adjust to fit.
Modifying Stair Width
You can directly modify the width of a stair run while in stair component editing mode.
Select a flight and drag the arrow-shaped control at the edge to change its width. Connected platform widths will adjust accordingly.
Shaping Platforms
Automatic platforms can be reshaped while maintaining their connection to the stairs as designed.
Select the platform and drag the arrow-shaped control at its edge to modify its size and shape.
Related Skills
Creation and Related Operations of Revit Stairs
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