How to embed a file/object in a standard shape?

[ScottFisher2004]

I'm trying to find out if there's a shape available that links to an embedded
attachment -OR- some way to modify shape behavior to embed a file that would
launch upon double-click. I don't want the object that appears when I do
Insert-Object.

To date, I've been pasting a blank/no-description object into my flow and
then resizing it and putting it on top of the object shape I want...typically
the 'Document' shape. That makes the flow look and basically work like I
want for users...it is just cumbersome and there are a few minor issues with
it.

 

[Al Edlund]

Visio supports hyperlinking to office documents if that might be a
solutions. This has the advantage that you can have one master copy of the
document rather than possibly several different versions depending on which
visio document that is opened.
al

 

[Chris Roth [MVP]]

Hi Scott,

I think you can do this, but it might be a bit awkward. And there's no way
to really insert the embedded object into existing Visio Flowchart Shapes,
but you could make your own.

I did a quick test by grouping an embedded Excel object with a circle shape.
You can sub-select the excel object by selecting the group, then clicking
again on the Excel object sub-shape. Right-click this shape and you'll see
WorkSheet Object > Edit which will allow you to in-place edit the
spreadsheet.

A bit clunky, but kind of cool too...and the object moves with your shape!

--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

Free Visio shapes:
http://www.visguy.com/category/shapes
Visio programming info:
http://www.visguy.com/category/programming/
Other Visio resources:
http://www.visguy.com/visio-links/