Linking Multiple Text Fields in a Shape to Database

[BillyGeneKing]

I have been trying to use "PERT 1" shape. "PERT 1" shape has many
"fields" like duration, early start, task name, and late start.

I would like to link each of these fields to the data in my Excel
Data.

Currently, when I use the Database Wizard, all I can find is
Shape.Text, which happens to control the text for "Task Name" in the
"PERT 1" shape. So, while I can populate the "Task Name", I can't see
the other fields like early start, late start, or duration.

How do I get these fields to show up in the Cells column of the
Cellsatabase Fields:Links dialog box of the Database Wizard?

My assumption is the issue is I am using a grouped shape which is
actually multiple shapes, each with its own "Shape.Text" field. Since
the "Task Name" shape happens to be the primary shape in the group, it
is the one that is selected for control by the database.

I am using Office 2003 with Visio 2003.

How can I get the Cells field to have all the Shapes of the Group PERT
1 to show up in the Cells area of the Cellsatabase Fields:Links
dialog box?

Less immediate question is how does the Database Wizard select which
cells are going to be a part of the Cells list in the Cellsatabase
Fields:Links dialog box?

 

[Fred Diggs]

You'll need to modify the Pert 1 shape in order to do what you want. As is,
its a pretty dumb shape with no custom properties and no text fields for
displaying data. It is designed to be typed into by the user.

This is an approach that will work:
1. Add custom properties to the shape for Task Name, Early Start, Late
Start, Duration, Slack, Early Finish, and Late Finish.
2. Replace the text in the shape with text fields that reference the new
custom properties.
3. Now run the database wizard against this new shape and map your database
fields to the custom properties. When you link a shape to a row of data, the
values are copied into the custom properties of the shape. The text fields
are what display this data as text on the shape.

Good luck!