How can I prevent Visio from resetting object Labels?

[stevenmcgahey]

Hi guys,

I'm putting together a Process Engineering diagram, which is made up of objects like valves, vessels and pumps, and some associated labels like "valve size", "pump type" etc.

There is a Process template in visio which I have been using as a starting point for these shapes, however this displays a default label, like V-1, V2, V3 (It's called something like

"V-" & PEComponentTag

in the Shape sheet.

Now, I've changed the label text to show a custom user property:

Prop.size

which works well, with one exception. Whenever I copy my modified object, it resets the displayed label to

"V-" & PEComponentTag

In fact, it does this on both the original object, and on the pasted copy.

Now, I've tried dumping the object onto a custom template at the start of this process, but it still seems to reset itself.

Does anyone have any advice on how to preserve all of the other characteristics of this object (it has characteristics which help me compile reports of the object types (valves, pumps etc) on my drawing), but get rid of this problem?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
- Steve.

 

[stevenmcgahey]

Found part of an answer to my own question.

Go to shapesheets, and you'll notice that the "text field" properties are in blue. I think this means these properties are taken from the parent object in the template, and being used to overwrite some other properties. Just hit delete, and I think this wipes the connection to the parent object (for this one attribute).

 

[stevenmcgahey]

I've found the root cause of the problem. Process Engineering templates include the ability to automatically number shapes as they are dropped onto the page. This was overwriting my original ShapeSheet specified numbering system.

Problem solved.

 

[rvnguy]

stevenmcgahey,

Thank you for posting your progress for the rest of the community.

In the future, as there are several versions of Visio, it helps to specify which you are using

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[stevenmcgahey]

Ahh - good point. Sorry, it's been a while since I've been involved in any online forums.

This was all in Visio 2003.

 

[rvnguy]

Just glad that you worked through this.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all