Extra information within graphics

[asmart82]

I have a room layout of a lab with 164 computers. I want to be able to
double-click or move my mouse over the location where a computer is and have
it give me all the information that I want to input about each individual
computer that I choose. IE, hardware/software info, serial number, etc. Is
this possible to do?

 

[David Parker]

Yes, you are describing Custom Properties/Shape Data.
If you have Visio 2007 Professional, then you can easily add this
information from an Excel spreadsheet for example, or use the Database
Wizard in earlier versions.

 

[John Goldsmith]

Yes, absolutely , although it depends on what version of Visio you're using.

Basically, shapes can contain there own data and this viewed in the specific
window (click View/"Shape Data Window" in 2007, or "Custom Properties
Window" in previous versions). You can use existing fields in predefined
shapes, add and remove fields within those shapes or create your own new
shapes with you as you wish.

You can also link the data in shapes to an external source such as a
spreadsheet or database, which I guess is something you might want to
consider if you've got 164 to get through.

For 2007 Professional you could use Link Data to Shapes functionality. Take
a look at the following link. There's four Link Data... links here:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/training/CR101109221033.aspx

For 2007 Standard and 2003/2 you could use the Database wizard
functionality:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/visio/CH010191751033.aspx

Have a browse through the above and let me know if the above helps and if
you have any further questions.

Best regards

John

John Goldsmith
www.visualSignals.co.uk