How do I change a shape in Visio for a process flow diagram

[Chris]

How do I change a shape in Visio for a process flow diagram? I have an
existing process flow diagram in Visio and want to change multiple shape
types to other shape types without losing the data on the current shape. I
don't want to have to redo the connector lines & text inside each box. Help.

Thanks.

 

[Paul Herber]

How do I change a shape in Visio for a process flow diagram? I have an
existing process flow diagram in Visio and want to change multiple shape
types to other shape types without losing the data on the current shape. I
don't want to have to redo the connector lines & text inside each box. Help.

Did you not read the response I gave you in the developer group on
Tuesday?

Would you care to try out
http://www.visio-utilities.sandrila.co.uk/
There is a shape substitute feature which can do all this.
Select the shape (or type of shape) you with to change
from the new menu choose Shape -> Shape Substitute.
From the drop down list you can choose just this shape, or all shapes
of this type, then select the items from the original shape you wish
to keep, text, fill and line colours etc.
Connections are kept and grouped shapes are dealt with as well as
possible at the moment.

 

[Chris]

Yes, I read your response. Not interested in buying software.

 

[Al Edlund]

Unfortunately the options are either to write your own or to purchase a
product.
al

 

[Barb Way]

As pointed out previously, there is no Search and Replace function built
into Visio. There are several third party tools available, such as the one
Paul provided the link for. Otherwise you can try writing your own - which
is not a trivial task if you use custom properties or tie into solution
based code.

Barb Way
Product Support - Visio
Microsoft Corporation
[This posting is provided "As Is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.]
--------------------
From: "Al Edlund" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: How do I change a shape in Visio for a process flow diagram
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:05:20 -0500

Unfortunately the options are either to write your own or to purchase a
product.
al

 

[David Parker]

I have always been concerned that third-party tools for Master swapping are
going to miss something in complex shapes, or connected shapes, or something
simple as getting a different Shape GUID when this is being used by my
code....
It is certainly not a trivial task for non-trivial shapes!

As pointed out previously, there is no Search and Replace function built
into Visio. There are several third party tools available, such as the
one
Paul provided the link for. Otherwise you can try writing your own -
which
is not a trivial task if you use custom properties or tie into solution
based code.

Barb Way
Product Support - Visio
Microsoft Corporation
[This posting is provided "As Is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.]
--------------------
From: "Al Edlund" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: How do I change a shape in Visio for a process flow diagram
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:05:20 -0500

Unfortunately the options are either to write your own or to purchase a
product.
al

Yes, I read your response. Not interested in buying software.

 

[Paul Herber]

I have always been concerned that third-party tools for Master swapping are
going to miss something in complex shapes, or connected shapes, or something
simple as getting a different Shape GUID when this is being used by my
code....
It is certainly not a trivial task for non-trivial shapes!

As the shape's UniqueID is a read-only property can it be possible to
maintain this?
A complicated grouped shape where each shape within the group contains
vital information can never successfully be replaced by a simple
shape.
Maintaining connections may rely on certain connection points, the
connection points may not suit the geometry of the new shape, or the
connection points may be part of a shape within a grouped shape.
Any shape substitution can be, at best, only a compromise.

 

[Michel LAPLANE \(MVP\)]

A little but complicated trick :
Save as XML
Open the vdx file with an xml editor
look at the correct ID of the master you want in the Masters collection
Change the Master ID in your shape (Pages=>Page=>Shapes=>Shape)
Reopen the file

Enjoy with visio.

 

[Paul Herber]

Shall I just give up helping here? Besides, if the XML solution is so
good why don't Microsoft try that rather than badger me to give (what
am I, a charity?) them the algorithm I use for shape substitute in my
utilities.

 

[Michel LAPLANE \(MVP\)]

Hi Paul
Keep cool, the sun is shinning
Enjoy with visio