Displaying shape data

[Darius Blaszyk]

Hi,

I have a design issue with linking data from a database (Excel in this
case) to a shape. Linking a shape to a record is straightforward, but
the problem I have is that the shape data for the same shape could be
different. So for instance in one shape I would like to show (A B C) and
in another shape (same master shape) I would like to show (X Y Z).

I have been thinking of defining the shape data per shape at creation
time (yes I autogenerate the visio file from excel). Is this possible or
are there better alternatives available within visio?

I'm using visio 2007.

Regards, Darius

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

If you are linking the data, why not let Visio define the shape data rows at
link time? If you are not sure what data fields might be linked, don't
include any in the master.

Also, it is possible to set up a data graphic to show all six fields (A B C
X Y Z). However, when you apply the data graphic to a specific shape, Visio
will ignore any field not present on the shape. Because of this behavior it
is possible to define a single data graphic for use no matter what set of
fields you have.

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

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