database wizard rearranging shapes

[Matt]

Hi -

I have a Visio page that is linked to an Excel spreadsheet using the
database wizard. I rearranged the various db-linked shapes on the page into a
specific format. I want to keep that format even when the data is changed and
refreshed in Visio.

The problem is that if I delete a row in the middle of the spreadsheet, the
shapes that match the rows of data after the deletion all get rearranged and
take the place of the previous table rows data.

For example, say I have these rows of data in my excel spreadsheet:
1
2
3
4

If I delete row 2 in Excel, then reload my Visio page, the shape for row 2
now contains row 3's data, and the shape for row 3 now contains row 4's data.
Row 4's shape has completely disappeared.

Ideally, what I would like is for row 2's shape to disappear from the sheet.

Any ideas about what I am doing wrong, and how I can fix it?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Dick Hamilton [MSFT]]

Hi Matt,

There's an option in the Database Wizard when creating a linked drawing to
automatically distribute the shapes on the page. If you have your drawing
setup to use the Database Drawing Monitor, there's an option there for the
same thing. If you wants to turn it off there, select the desired page in
the monitor dialog and uncheck the option.

There are a couple of ways that you could be refreshing the data in your
drawing after modifying the spreadsheet. The method that you use will
affect how you prevent the shapes from being repositioned.

 

[Matt]

Hi Dick, thanks for the response.

From what I can tell, I have all of the options for automatically
distributing shapes turned off. When automatically distribute is on the
shapes do not move how I have outlined below, every shape gets completely
moved to the upper left corner of the page and placed in order by the key.

What I am seeing is a bit different than that - only the shapes after the
deleted row are deleted, and they are moved to "take the place" of the
deleted shape - the positions I put the shapes in are still pretty much
intact.

Could you outline some of the other ways to refresh the drawing that may
work for me? I have tried every way I know of and none of them have helped so
far.

Thanks again,
Matt

 

[Dick Hamilton [MSFT]]

Hi Matt,

I can't think of additional options, however it might help to have a look at
an example drawing and XLS so that we can try to reproduce the behavior
here. I'll send you an email in case this is possible.

 

[Matt]

Dick - sure this is possible. Shoot me an email at:

iggywiggum45 @ hotNOSPAMmail.com

remove the spaces and NOSPAM


Thanks,
Matt