Copy a shape from one stencil to another

A stencil (.vss file) is a collection of shapes, and each collection is available to Visio templates (.vst files). For convenience, you can copy a shape in a particular stencil to your Favorites stencil, a new stencil that you create, or an existing custom stencil.

1. In the open stencil that contains the shape that you want to copy, right-click the shape, point to Add To My Shapes on the shortcut menu, and then click Favorites, Add To New Stencil, or Add To Existing Stencil.

2. To open the stencil that contains the copied shape, in the Shapes window, click More Shapes, and then point to My Shapes or another folder that contains the stencil.

   Notes: 

   • Shapes in Visio stencils are often referred to as master shapes. When you drag a master shape onto a drawing page, you create a copy (or instance) of the master. The master itself remains on the stencil so that you can use it repeatedly to create new copies of the master on drawing pages.

   • Visio master shapes supplied by Microsoft Corporation are copyrighted. You may copy and reorganize them for your own use, modify them for your own use, and distribute drawings that contain them. You may not sell or distribute original or modified Visio master shapes.

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