Shape Protection Error

It's unfortunate that you can't attach screenshots; let's try with written descriptions instead:

When the diagram is open, are there any tabs that appear to the right of the Help tab on the Visio ribbon?

What stencils are open in the Shapes window on the left of the diagram?

Assuming that Basic Flowchart Shapes is one of the open stencils, what happens when you drag a Process shape onto the page? Are you able to edit its text without any problem?

Ralph's suggestion may be technically correct, but following those instructions may break important functions within a protected shape.

Many shape designs include locks or protections on some shape attributes. Often, the protections are there because of interdependencies among various parts of a shape. For example, a shape that consists of several subshapes may be locked to prevent you from changing something in one part of the shape that will have a negative effect on another part.

Which template are you using to create your diagram? And which specific shapes are you trying to edit or delete when you see this error message?

Hello Helmers,

Thanks for reaching out.

I am using the standard format and boxes (for preparing flowchart). The file is an old file used from past few years and I am trying to edit and update the file. However, the message that shows error is ""An unspecified error occurred."" Also, error occurred while editing text in box is "" An error (1317) occurred during the action Set Text. An unspecified error occurred.""

Please support further.

Regards

Nikunj Bagaria

Dear Nikunj Bagaria,

 

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

 

We are sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with. I deeply understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

Seems like your objects have Shape protection could you please try the below steps:

1. Enable the Developer Tab:
   • Go to File > Options.
   • Click on Advanced and scroll down to the General section.
   • Check the box for Run in developer mode and click OK.
2. Unlock Shape Protection:
   • Select the shape you want to edit.
   • Go to the Developer tab, and in the Shape Design group, click Protection.
   • Uncheck the attributes you want to unlock (e.g., From selection, From group, etc.) and click OK.
3. Edit Master Shape:
   • Right-click on the shape and select Edit Master > Edit Master Shape.
   • In the Shape Editor, go to Format > Protection and disable the protection settings.
   • Save and close the editor.
4. Check Layer Properties:
   • Go to the Home tab, in the Editing group, click Layers > Layer Properties.
   • Ensure that the layers are not locked.

For reference you can check this article: Prevent or allow changes to shapes - Microsoft Support 

We appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial response may not resolve the problem immediately. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. So, please let me know if you have any further questions or if there are any misunderstandings. You can also provide a screenshot related to the issue/error if need be? You can upload the screenshot using this feature:

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

 

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator

Hello Ralph,

Greetings of the day!

Thank you for your suggestion. However, I am still facing the issue. I'm unable to share screenshot due to office system restrictions, however the message that shows error is ""An unspecified error occurred."" Also, error occurred while editing text in box is "" An error (1317) occurred during the action Set Text. An unspecified error occurred.""

Please support further.

Regards

Nikunj Bagaria

Ralph's suggestion may be technically correct, but following those instructions may break important functions within a protected shape.

Many shape designs include locks or protections on some shape attributes. Often, the protections are there because of interdependencies among various parts of a shape. For example, a shape that consists of several subshapes may be locked to prevent you from changing something in one part of the shape that will have a negative effect on another part.

Which template are you using to create your diagram? And which specific shapes are you trying to edit or delete when you see this error message?

Dear Nikunj Bagaria,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

We are sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with. I deeply understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

Seems like your objects have Shape protection could you please try the below steps:

1. Enable the Developer Tab:
   • Go to File > Options.
   • Click on Advanced and scroll down to the General section.
   • Check the box for Run in developer mode and click OK.
2. Unlock Shape Protection:
   • Select the shape you want to edit.
   • Go to the Developer tab, and in the Shape Design group, click Protection.
   • Uncheck the attributes you want to unlock (e.g., From selection, From group, etc.) and click OK.
3. Edit Master Shape:
   • Right-click on the shape and select Edit Master > Edit Master Shape.
   • In the Shape Editor, go to Format > Protection and disable the protection settings.
   • Save and close the editor.
4. Check Layer Properties:
   • Go to the Home tab, in the Editing group, click Layers > Layer Properties.
   • Ensure that the layers are not locked.

For reference you can check this article: Prevent or allow changes to shapes - Microsoft Support 

We appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial response may not resolve the problem immediately. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. So, please let me know if you have any further questions or if there are any misunderstandings. You can also provide a screenshot related to the issue/error if need be? You can upload the screenshot using this feature:

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator