Define Shape Data dialog box

Each shape in your drawing can have data associated with it in the Shape Data dialog box (formerly Custom Properties).

Note: If you are running in developer mode, additional options are displayed in this dialog box. To turn on developer mode, on the Tools menu, click Options. Then, on the Advanced tab, select Run in developer mode.

Label

Specifies a name for the data. The label appears next to the field where the user enters data. A label consists of alphanumeric characters, including the underscore (_) character.

Name

Specifies the name of the data in the ShapeSheet spreadsheet. For example, if you use the name Location, the ShapeSheet shows the row name Prop.Location. This option provides solution developers with control over row naming for writing formulas, code, and so on.

The Name option is only available when you are in developer mode.

Type

Specifies the data type for the data value:

String  Alphanumeric data.

Number  Numeric data.

Fixed List  A fixed list of options from which the user can select. The list is defined in the Format box.

Variable List  A list of options from which the user can select or add a new entry. The list is defined in the Format box.

Boolean  Boolean (TRUE/FALSE) data.

Currency  Monetary data, using the regional settings of Microsoft Windows for decimal and currency symbols.

Date  Dates and times. The calendar type is set in the Calendar box and affects the date formatting selections available in the Format list.

Duration  Period of existence in time.

Language

Identifies the language associated with the Date and String data types. Visio uses this setting to correctly display the date and time.

Format

Specifies how the specified data is displayed. How you use this field depends on the Type and Calendar settings.

• For string, number, currency, date, and duration data types, click the Format arrow to select from the list of available formats.

• For the fixed list and variable list data types, type the list items separated by semicolons (;). For example, "red;black;green" sets the list to include the items red, black, and green. If the data type is a fixed list, the user must select one of the three options. If it is a variable list, the user can select one of the three options or type any other data to add it to the list.

Note: The Format box is not available for the Boolean data type. In this case, the user has two options: TRUE and FALSE.

Calendar

Sets the type of calendar to use for the selected language: Arabic Hijri (Islamic), Hebrew Lunar (Jewish), Saka Era (Hindu), or Western (Gregorian). The calendar type affects the options available in the Format list. When the user enters a date, it is converted to the date for the selected calendar.

Value

Contains the initial value for the data.

Prompt

Specifies descriptive or instructional text that appears when the property is selected in the Shape Data dialog box or when the mouse is paused over the data label in the Shape Data window.

Sort key

Specifies the placement of the data in the Shape Data dialog box and the Shape Data window. For example, an item with a sort key of "a" appears above one with a sort key of "b". Within the Define Shape Data dialog box, the properties appear in the order in which they were created.

The Sort key option is only available when you are in developer mode.

Ask on drop

Prompts users to enter data for a shape when they create instances of the shape or when they duplicate or copy a shape.

The Ask on drop option is only available when you are in developer mode.

Hidden

Hides the property from the user. This option is useful for solution developers who need to store properties for certain operations that don't need to be made visible to users.

The Hidden option is only available when you are in developer mode.

Properties list

Lists all the properties defined for the selected shape or data set. Select a property to edit or delete it.

New

Adds a new property to the list of properties.

Delete

Deletes the selected property.