If you have multiple text blocks, then you need to use a group of shapes. Usually you have your variables, parameters, data fields at the top level (the group) so your subshapes have to refer to the cells in the group, which is a bit trickier.

So your group could have a Shape Data field:

Prop.FontSize = 15 pt (be sure to specify points or you’ll get a 15-inch font!

In a subshape, you could enter a formula to control it’s character size as so:

Char.Size = Sheet.5!Prop.FontSize

Where Sheet.5 is the id of the group, and will likely be different in number.

See: What’s My Shape’s ID for more info about shape ids.

In my example, I have different formatting variables for font size mainly, and it is generally an aesthetic reason. But to try to figure out the tabbing, left and right formatting, etc.. is really difficult. I am imagining that within that shape, there should be a way to have independent text boxes that are linked to the Smart Shape data in the same fashion as your example. In that scenario, you could then move the individual text fields around, format them as needed, align with other objects, etc…

Thanks for your time… Tom

When you insert a field into a shape, the Insert > Field dialog allows you to specify some formatting.

Once the field is inserted, you’ll see some rows in the Text Fields section of the ShapeSheet. Two of the columns in this section are Format and Value.

I just referenced the Format for my date to one of the Shape Data fields: Prop.dateFormat, instead of hard coding it from the list of formats.

So the inserted field is now more dynamic in that the format can be changed by editing the Shape Data field (“M/d/Y HH:mm:ss”, etc.) — even by users through the UI.

There is also a ShapeSheet function called FORMAT that allows you to format values in various ways. This function is very similar to Excel’s.

Thank you for your time and site,

Jon

I haven’t read your question very carefully, but an article from David Parker sprang immediately to mind. Check this out and see if it helps:

Using SharePoint Calendars with Visio Timelines

I hope you can guide me in the right direction – I’ve been banging my head against this for a while!

I have a Sharepoint List connected to Visio where the user can define project milestones. Data is connected to Visio and works, but Visio milestones by default will work only with START date. I don’t want to use the INTERVAL shape, but I’d like to be able to drag the same milestone date onto a timeline twice – aligning the first copy using START date, and the second copy using FINISH date.

Alternately, is there a way to use the Interval shape to do this? The only graphic elements I really want are a circle or triangle on START and END, with the date showing above. Not the filled in interval or outline, because my timelines get too cluttered that way. I tried this approach first but could not figure out how to use just line ends vs. having the entire interval outlined/filled in.

Please help!!! If I can do this I can make my bosses very happy….

I find it works well if you select just the article–without the side bars–then choose “Selection” in the print dialog.

If you have a print to pdf “printer” installed, that gives you another chance to check the output before wasting any paper.