Default Settings

[Tony Campbell]

How do I chnage the default settings for the tools used in creating
workflows. For example, I mainly use Business Process, Basic Flowcharts.
When I create a new flowchart the Shapes default with blue pattened
backgrounds, huge thick borders, etc. Also the connector tools defaults also
to a blue color, thick size etc..

How can I change these so that they appear how I want them.

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

The simplest thing to do is to start from a different template. Choose the
Basic Flowcharts template from the Flowchart category instead of the
Business Process category. Everything is the same except for the default
formatting.

 

[Tony Campbell]

OK, I did that, but again the shapes have defaults that are not like previous
versions of Visio. Using the template you suggested still gives me shapes
with a blue fill, connectors that are blue. Any further suggestions, or are
you telling me I can't change the defaults.

Is it just me? I would have thought that Microsoft would programme something
to default as plainly as possible, if you want to add colours you would use
the tools... not the other way around?

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Try going to Format > Define Styles and change the formatting settings for
the Flowchart style.

To address your comment, Microsoft mostly hears that customers want great
looking drawings. We then ask whether that means crisp and clean or rich
and vivid. We hear both answers. Hopefully we can find a simple way to
satisfy both sets of users without forcing them to spend a lot of time
formatting or unformatting.

--
Mark Nelson
Microsoft Corporation

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