How do I fill background of Textbox from Common Controls template

[Khooseeraj Moloye]

I am using Visio 2003. From the Common Controls template I add the Textbox
obj and try to change the background of the object using the Fill property.
However, the change is not visible, although the setting is there when you
check it back. Is this by design or is there something else to be done?

I found a similar post by Robertwy dated 12/2/2004 under General newsgroup,
but no one had an answer. I am hoping to have some better luck!

Thanks
Raj

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

These shapes were designed to stick to the Windows User Interface guidelines
and thus prevent non-standard formatting. But I find it necessary to crack
open the shapes and make some changes occasionally.

The Textbox shape is a group, so select it and go to Edit > Open Textbox
(last item in the menu). Then select the shape in the group window and
choose Window > Show Shapesheet. Scroll down to the Fill Format section and
look at the formula for the FillForegnd. This shape uses color 1 (White) if
the Enabled checkbox on the RMA is True and a custom color if the Enabled
checkbox is False.

If you want to set up your own color, you need to edit the formula and
replace either the true condition or the false condition. I suggest drawing
your own rectangle on the page first, setting the color you want and then
looking at its Shapesheet formula to check the value. Then put this value
into the formula for the Textbox shape. If you use these steps to modify
the shape, you won't break the functionality built into it.

 

[Khooseeraj Moloye]

Great tips Mark!
I do not quite understand what RMA means (even the help did not help!), but
have managed to change the background following the steps you mentioned. I
never worked with the Shapesheet before (still a novice!), but it seems it
will open up for some interesting readings.

Thanks,
Raj

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Apologies. RMA stands for Right Mouse Action. It refers to the context
menu that appears when you click with the right mouse button. I was
explaining that the formula in the FillForegnd cell has an IF( ) function
that will return one of two possible values. There is an item on the
shape's context menu that toggles between the two choices.