Instances doesn't get updated when the master stencil changes

[Maxwell2006]

Hi,



I am trying to create a stencil master shape in such way that when I change
the master, all instances also get updated according to the new master
shape.



At this point I have a master shape in a stencil and I have hundreds of
instances in different visio drawing based on the very same stencil. When I
change the master shape, I have to change all instances (several hundreds)
and this is such a pain.



How can I solve this problem?



Any help would be appreciated,

Max

 

[Markus Breugst]

Hi Max,

you have to edit the master in the "Document Stencil" in order to change all
your instances.

To open it, select "File -> Shapes -> Show Document Stencil".

Visio automatically adds masters to the so-called "Document Stencil". Please
note that, if you change a master in your own stencil and drag it into the
drawing, Visio adds a new version(!) of the master to the Document Stencil.
Thus, after a while, the Document Stencil will contain multiple versions of
each of your masters. Editing one of these masters will result in a change
of all shape instances that are based on this master version. Shapes based
on later or previous master versions will remain unchanged.

You can delete masters from the Document Stencil "by hand". Visio will not
do this automatically, even if you remove all shapes from your drawing page.

Best regards,
Markus