Problem with Connectors

[Netting]

I am using Visio 2007 with Office 2003 and Windows XP.
I am using an Organisation Chart to show ownership of some subsidiary
companies but cannot connect more than two shapes to one other. e.g. Using
the Head Office as 1 and branches as 2, 3, and 4 I need to connect shape 1 to
the other three but also connect shape 2 to shape 4 because Company 2 also
owns part of Company 4.

I have succeeded doing this in the past but now, each time I connect 2 and
4, the connector from 1 to 4 is deleted or disappears. Likewise if I then
try to connect 1 and 4 again, the connector between 2 and 4 disappears.

It does not make any difference whether I make point to point connectors or
shape to shape.

Any ideas please?

 

[WapperDude]

The Org Chart is hard coded to only allow 1 direct parent. That's why the
previous parent disconnects when you add a new one. The way around this is
to use the dotted connector. You can make the line style solid if you wish,
but do so with caution. It becomes easy to lose track of the regular and
dotted connectors. If you use the Wizard to export the drawing, the dotted
line connectivity does not get reported.


wapperdude

 

[Netting]

Hi Wapperdude,

Thanks for your prompt response. The dotted line works but how do I make it
solid?

I have also checked on other parts of the chart and think that I may have
succeeded by using a point to shape connection or otherwise by taking a
connector from another side, but it won't work now. It is almost as if Visio
is tempramental!

 

[WapperDude]

To change the line to solid, select it, go to menu bar > Line Pattern icon >
click and then select the line style you desire.

Al's point is worth considering. If you have a lot of cases where you have
multiple parents and need to add a lot of dotted line connectors there is
very little point in using the Org Chart, which is really just an embellished
subset of Block Diagrams. Obviously, has a Wizard, but, that does no good
with the dotted lines.

But, if you're too far along, and all of your dotted connections will be
solid, then, you can edit the document master, and all present and future
placements will be solid. Go to menu bar > Shapes Icon > scroll to the
bottom > select document stencil. Double click the dotted-line report to
edit. Select the line in the new window, change the line pattern. Close.
Apply to all if you wish every placement to have the new line style. Future
drag and drops will now have the solid pattern.

Wapperdude