Can't synchronize within a Timeline diagram

[Melissa]

Hello
I am new to Visio and am trying to construct a timeline showing a critical
path that is constantly changing. I am using Visio Professional 2003,
product id 72085 640 0572601 55992 and am having real trouble synchronizing
milestones and intervals so that each time I change a date, it amends the
subsequent dates. Each time I try to synchronize (right click on mouse
whilst hightlighting interval/ milestone) a pop-up appears saying 'There are
no miles on the page with which to synchronize' when clearly there are
several before. I keep thinking it must be a glitch or fault with this
version but can't find any reference to it anywhere on the internet.
Cheers to anyone who can help!
Melissa

 

[AlEdlund]

Your issue is that it is normal operation. The individual shapes on a
timeline are exactly that, they are individual and not linked to each other.
Thus changing one does not impact any of the rest. If you are using v2007
professional you can link the shapes to an external source (excel?) and get
some of the functionality you are looking for. Ultimately it's a pretty
static implementation and those with more dynamic requirements might want to
consider a real project management tool.
imho,
al

 

[Melissa]

Hi Al
Many thanks for that. So my understanding is that the description of
'synchronization' is incorrect and should never have been incorporated into
the 2003 version - am I correct? What does synchronization achieve? Sounds
as though I should get 2007 or MS Project.
Many thanks
Melissa

 

[AlEdlund]

You might check this out to see if it matches what you need. Timelines are
an example of add-in software that provides additional functions beyond
Visio. They can be very specific to the release and version that you are
using. One of the difficulties is trying to help folks is that the on-line
help almost always refers to the current released version of Visio and may
be different than older versions.
al