Formatting in Data Graphics

Question

I have linked data from an Excel worksheet to my Visio shapes, but am having difficulties with the Data Graphics.  No matter what I select, my text is right-justified in the shape.  I want it centered or left-justified, but it just won't do it.  I've tried selecting other options, applying, then switching back to left-justified, but it remains right-justified no matter what I do.

Anyone else have this issue?

Answer 1

Data Graphic items are defined as (hidden) Masters in the Document Stencil once they are defined for a drawing.  In theory, you can edit the provided ones, and add your own.  If you want to make significant changes, I suggest adding your own and leaving the default ones as they are, but any changes you make in a drawing will be local to the drawing.  If you need to create your own Data Graphics / items, I would suggest reviewing the MSDN documentation from Visio 2007 here :http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa468596(office.12).aspx

For a Text DG item, for instance, the text blocks for the Label field and the Data field are protected by formulas which calculate the position and size based on content.  If you wish you can edit the Masters and replace the PARAGRAPH / HALIGN formulas with static formatting (such as Left or Center justification).  However, you may find that the DG items no longer automatically adjust in relation to the shape or the other objects on a page, so proceed at your own risk.

---

Barb