Open dialog when creating new object

[Hai Ly Hoang]

Hi,
whenever dragging an master into drawing area to create new object, i want
an dialog, which allows user to edit the properties of new object, appear.
How to do that ?

And later, when the user double click that object the same dialog will
appear so that user can edit these properties again.

How to do that ?
Thanks

 

[Diane]

you are able to edit shape properties by right-clicking on the shape.
You could define properties for the desired master shape and then only
use that master rather than the preloaded stencil, e.g.:
1- drag desired shape, e.g. "Data"
2- right click onto Data shape, click properties
3- click define.. in properties dialog box. Define/add/delete
properties there for your specific case and click Ok. You can see what
you've done by right clicking and choosing Properties again.
4- Drag the data shape back to the stencil (or onto a new stencil or
whatever). If it prompts you to make the stencil editable, do so. It
should appear at the end with a funny name like Master.43 or something.
5- right click on the shape in the stencil and choose Master
Properties... and rename and set a prompt for the new master that is
relevant to your needs. click ok.
6- the new master shape is now set up with your properties - if you
drag it onto a page you will be able to right click and set properties
for that shape according to the properties you chose in step 3.

There may be a VB script or macro to make it prompt for properties, but
I don't know how to write those. Remember to save your stencil with the
new master as well and propagate it to whoever needs it.

 

[Matt Adereth [MSFT]]

There is a way to make the shape prompt for properties when the shape is
dropped on the page without using macros.

First, make sure you are running in developer mode by going to Tools ->
Options -> Advanced and checking the "Run in developer mode" checkbox.

Now if you go to the Define Custom Properties dialog that Diane references
in step #3, you will see an "Ask on drop" checkbox. If you check this
option, the Custom Properties dialog will appear when you drag the master
onto the page.

This can also be set by setting the "Ask" cell in the Custom Properties
section of the ShapeSheet to TRUE.

 

[Diane]

Hi Matt

Thanks for that tip - I like it. I hadn't been running in developer
mode so hadn't realised that was possible.

Cheers