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Shape Data

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Using the Cross-Functional Flowchart Phases in Visio

The cross-functional flowchart template is possibly one that I use most frequently, and I do like the way that the Function Shape Data value is automatically evaluated from the Swimlane that is is within. But why did Microsoft issue the template without the same feature for the Phases? This article describes how to fix that issue, and is also a plea to Microsoft to correct it in a future release….

So, all of the flowchart shapes contain a Shape Data row named Function, as in the following screenshot, and the value is automatically updated to that entered into the Swimlane header. If the user updates the header text, or moves the shape between lanes, then the value gets updated.

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Visio Shape Data Linking Tips

I often use the Microsoft supplied OrgData.xls sample file to demonstrate linking to external data in Visio, however there are a few gotchas lying in wait for the unwary if you try to link to the Microsoft supplied Org Chart shapes …

In the following screenshot, I have the OrgData table showing in the External Data window and I have the ShapeSheet open for the selected Executive Belt shape. Notice that the Shape Data section rows are all black which indicates that they are inherited from the master shape. Also note that there is a Shape Data row with the label “E-Mail” in the ShapeSheet, and one called “E-mail” in the Personnel table.

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My SQL and SharePoint Saturday additional content

I am presenting my view of using Visio to Visualize data with SQL Server and SharePoint today. The slideshow is available for viewing at https://doc.co/Q43c2m but, whilst I wait for my turn to talk, I have created a smart prism shape to demonstrate many of the smartness of shapes and the data linking features of Visio. The file can be downloaded from http://1drv.ms/1FDAZgI .

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Formatting Shape Data in Visio

One of the best aspects of Visio is the ability of shapes to hold data, and the easiest way to do this is to define rows of Shape Data. Each row can be defined as holding one of eight different types, and most of these can have their values formatted for display. In this article I discuss the formatting of these values, using either ShapeSheet functions or automation methods. The driver for this is my on-going frustration with the Microsoft provided standard Shape Data window because of its shortcomings … for example, its lack of multi-line support even though it can hold 64k characters in each row, and its lack of a time control, even though it can store dates and time.

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My first Office Mix … and it’s about visViewer

As I have been using PowerPoint a fair bit recently, I noticed a template for Microsoft Office Mix. It lead me to install a free PowerPoint add-in that enables me to add optional audio and video to the presentation before uploading to the Mix website ( see https://mix.office.com/ ).

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At first, I didn’t realise that my voice was being recorded, so I did it again … but maybe I should keep my mouth shut!

You can see my initial efforts at : https://mix.office.com/watch/1xf8jyin4s364

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Filter Visio External Data to Drop Shapes

I have recently been demonstrating how to automatically drop data point shapes into the correct latitude \ longitude position over a map image in Visio, and in this instalment I show how to automatically filter the dropped data points by a rectangular area. This will only work after calibrating the map image as in my previous article http://blog.bvisual.net/2015/05/26/calibrating-a-map-in-visio/ and then using the Data Point shape (or similar) from http://blog.bvisual.net/2015/05/27/distributing-data-points-automatically-on-maps-in-visio/

The principles of reading the Shape Data value from a selected shape to automatically drop rows from the active External Data window using the selected master shape could be applied to many scenarios.

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