Setting defaults for arrows at the end of lines

[A. J. Alwin]

I am creating a new flow chart and can't get the "format" "line" function to
create arrows at the end of my lines when I create them. The "format"
settings indicate that I have an arrow, but not when I draw the line. As I
recall, the older version of VISIO was easier to set up in this regard.

I have a lot of flow charting to do today - HELP!

Al

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

If you are using the Line Tool to make your arrows, click on a blank part of
the page to clear the selection. Then use the toolbars to set the
Formatting properties you want. Now when you use the Line Tool, the lines
will adopt these settings.

If you are using the Connector Tool to draw connectors with arrows, go to
File > Shapes > Show Document Stencil. Then double-click the Dynamic
Connector master shape to edit it. Apply your formatting to the connector
and then close the window. Now when you use the Connector Tool to draw, the
connectors will adopt these settings.

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[A. J. Alwin]

Mark,

I tried your method and was able to change the setting in the Dynamic
Connector Master Shape, but it didn't make any difference when I went to
create a new connector line in the flow chart I am working on. What now??

Al

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Are you able to manually change the formatting on the connector after you
draw a new one?

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[A. J. Alwin]

Yes - I can change the formatting of lines by selecting them after I draw
them. A colleague of mine showed me that after setting the Dynamic Connector
Master Shape that by dragging a connector from the "menu" on the left side of
the screen it works. I guess I can use that method. I've just been used to
clicking onn the connector at the top of the toolbar to make my lines.
(which I would think should be the same thing)

 

[Priya Raghavan]

Hi, I too am facing the same issue.

1) If I choose the arrow connector from the Shapes window (where I have
saved the arrow conenctor), I can use it as an arrow.
2) When I choose the 'Connector Tool' from the tool bar, I only get a line,
and not an arrow. I can change the properties of the line and get the arrow
after I draw the line. I tried to set the default setting of the line from
the menu Format->Line. It still does not work.
It is tedious to change the property of every line, or to drag from the
Shapes window.
I would like to use the 'Conenctor Tool' to draw arrows directly.
Please help.

 

[David Parker]

If you open the Drawing Window, then expand the Masters node, and
double-click Dynamic connector - then you will be able to edit the default
appearance for the connector. When finished, just close the edit window and
carry on using the Connector Tool.

 

[Priya Raghavan]

I tried that. However, when I use the connector tool in the toolbar or when I
click Shape-->Connect Shapes, I still get a line and not an arrow.

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

You may need to make the change in the Connector style for the document.
Look in Format > Define Styles.

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Priya]

Hi,

I tried that too. Did not work.

I have tried the following:
1) Without selecting anything on the page, set the Format-->Line option
2) Format-->Define Style

I can only do the following:
1) Drag the conenctor from the Shapes pane on the left.
2) Manually format each line

I would like to be able to conenct shapes using the Shape-->Connect Shapes
option. It just gives me a line and not an arrow.

Please help. I am working on a project that involves a lot of flowcharts and
this is driving me crazy.

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

If you start a new Basic Flowchart diagram and draw a connector, does it
have an arrow on it? If so we need to figure out how that shape is
different from one you get in your template.

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Priya]

I closed Visio, opened it again, opened a new drawing, set the Format-->Line
option to display an arrow, created two shapes, and used Shapes-->Connect
Shapes. It is still a line. :-(

 

[Priya]

Forgot to mention. I am using the default template, Basic flowchart.

 

[Priya]

So, I am not getting the arrow either in the default template or my
organization's template.

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Thanks for the extra information. It is important to distinguish between
lines and connectors in Visio. Lines are drawn with the Line Tool and
Connectors are drawn with the Connector Tool. You can also get a connector
using the Connect Shapes command or may drag a connector shape out from a
stencil.

When you go to Format > Line with nothing selected, you are changing the
formatting of future lines that you draw with the Line Tool. This does not
affect the formatting of connectors you draw with the Connector Tool or add
by other means. Visio looks for a master shape called Dynamic Connector to
determine the formatting of connectors. You can go to File > Shapes > Show
Document Stencil to find the Dynamic Connector master in use with the
document. Double-click to edit this and format it how you like. If there
is no Dynamic Connector master yet, use the Connector Tool to add a
connector to the drawing and Visio will automatically generate a Dynamic
Connector master for you.

--
Mark Nelson
Office Graphics - Visio
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.