Visio 2003 on WinXP - Remove existing property sets doesn't remove existing property sets

[Susan Ramlet]

I have defined two custom property sets that I wish to apply to existing
shapes in a drawing. The shapes contain existing properties. Following the
instructions in Help, I select the shape(s), then choose Tools | Custom
Property Sets. I check the checkbox on one of my property sets, check the
"Shapes selected in drawing" radio button, and then check the box next to
"Remove existing property sets". I click "Apply". My custom properties are
added, but the old ones aren't removed.

Any ideas why this might not be working and how to work around it? I'd like
to apply a mass custom property set to a bunch of shapes.

I have not applied any service packs, and the MSKB doesn't indicate that
this would be affected, anyway.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

I believe the answer is that those custom properties were not part of a
property set to start with. Therefore, they were not removed when a new
property set was applied. By default, custom properties are not in any
property set. If you want to remove those properties, I suppose that you
could make a property set that contained them and apply it to your shapes.
Then place a different property set on the shapes.

 

[Frustrated!]

I have the same problem. It driving me nuts. This could be such a good
program if only it worked!

 

[Awake]

Actually I've tried this. Doesnt work.

It seems to keep adding more and more fields. It appears that the "Remove
existing property sets" checkbox does not work

All I want to do is to appy some custom properties to shapes in an
organisational chart without getting more and more unwanted and strangely
labeled fields.

Can you help?

I believe the answer is that those custom properties were not part of a
property set to start with. Therefore, they were not removed when a new
property set was applied. By default, custom properties are not in any
property set. If you want to remove those properties, I suppose that you
could make a property set that contained them and apply it to your shapes.
Then place a different property set on the shapes.