Visio - workflow diagram, how to change a shape already on a diag

[TCC]

When using Visio for workflow diagrams, how can I change the shape (ie from
process to decision) without having to deleting the original shape and adding
the new one? I see that I use the "Flowsheet Shapes" option under basic
flowchart template that I can toggle between "process, decision, document,
data", but would like to modify the choices??

 

[Chris Roth [MVP]]

The "Flowchart Shapes" shape is specially built to have the four standard
shapes built in. It's not easily modifiable for adding new shapes.

One possibility is to get a utility to help you do this. Visimation offers a
Search & Replace tool:
http://www.shapesource.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=115 for a nominal
sum.

You can also write VB scripts to accomplish this, if that's something you're
comfortable with.

--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

More Visio shapes, articles, development info and pure diagramming fun at:
www.wanderkind.com/visio

 

[mikeodial]

When using Visio for workflow diagrams, how can I change the shape (ie from
process to decision) without having to deleting the original shape and adding
the new one? I see that I use the "Flowsheet Shapes" option under basic
flowchart template that I can toggle between "process, decision, document,
data", but would like to modify the choices??

Another option would be to use an application that uses the same shape
for both the decision and the action tasks. Take a look at
www.taskmap.com which uses a limited shape model (6 symbols) and the
same shape for decisions and action based tasks.

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Six shapes sounds very limited. There are a couple of third party solutions
that will get around the problem of changing shapes. Recommending an
inferior product is not a solution.

As I have said before, do not flog your wares in the Microsoft newsgroups.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[Paul Herber]

To be fair, John, it is a Visio add-on. It may not be too obvious from
all the marketing speak on their web site. However, I must admit they
are also one of our customers (via their Harvard Computing Group),
having purchased a single license for our Visio Utilities.

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Thanks Paul.

I got lost when I did the research, but I could not find anything that
relates their product to Visio. I was going to let it slide when I saw the
first one, but I changed my mind when I saw the rest of the posts. The
perception given is that mike is a disinterested third party that just
stumbled across the product. He never mentions that his paycheque is
directly tied to sales of this product. Questionable marketing tactics like
this put the quality of the product in question.

Microsoft provided these newsgroups so that users can find free help with
problems with Microsoft products. The general rule is that solicitation and
advertising is not allowed. Those who have actually supported the community
are allowed the occassional transgression, but it is usually in the context
that it solves a specific problem and they do not hide their relationship
with the product. The Visio newsgroups have been relatively free of problems
that have occurred in other Microsoft newsgroups.

In the past, the use of the sigline as an advertising vehicle has been
questioned, but the general consensus is that as long as the body of the
post is on topic and useful, the sigline is not an issue.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm