Visio2000: Cannot Change Flowchart Shape by Right-Clicking (283162)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Standard
  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Professional
  • Microsoft Visio 2000 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Visio 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Visio 2000 Technical Edition
  • Microsoft Visio 2000 Enterprise Edition
This article was previously published under Q283162

For a Microsoft Visio 5.0 version of this article, see 286369.

SYMPTOMS

After you create a flowchart with the Basic Flowchart solution in Microsoft Visio, you may want to change a flowchart shape by right-clicking it, so that you do not have to delete the old shape and create a new one. However, most of the shapes from the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil in Visio do not allow this change behavior. This may differ from other flowchart programs, which allow this behavior for most or all shapes.

CAUSE

The Flowchart Shapes shape on the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil (Basic Flowchart Shapes.VSS) is the only flowchart shape that can use right-click change behavior. None of the other flowchart shapes from this stencil have this functionality.

RESOLUTION

If you want to change shapes other than the Flowchart Shapes, you must replace the shapes, their formatting, and their contents.

To have the greatest flexibility for change, use the Flowchart Shapes shape to create your flowchart. After you drag the Flowchart Shapes shape onto the page, you can use either of the following methods to change the shape's appearance.

Method 1: Use the Shortcut Menu

  1. Select a Flowchart Shapes shape that is currently on the drawing page.
  2. Right-click the Flowchart Shapes shape, and then click one of the four shape choices on the shortcut menu:
    • Process
    • Decision
    • Document
    • Data
    Your choice appears immediately on the drawing.

Method 2: Use the Shape Menu

  1. Select a Flowchart Shapes shape that is currently on the drawing page.
  2. On the Shape menu, point to Actions, and then click one of the four shape choices:
    • Process
    • Decision
    • Document
    • Data
    Your choice appears immediately on the drawing.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, the Flowchart Shapes shape is in the lower portion of the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil. To move it to a more visible location on the stencil, follow these steps:
  1. Right-click the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil header, and then click Edit.
  2. Drag the Flowchart Shapes shape from the lower portion of the stencil window to the top.
  3. Right-click the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil header, and then click Save.
  4. Right-click the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil header and then click Edit to turn off the editing feature.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/15/2001
Keywords:kbprb KB283162
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