Linking to External Data

I want to create new objects by linking to external data. I can do this, and
attributes in the external data map fine to the shapes. But I can't figure
out how to set some system level attributes through this method - I can't set
the Shape Name or Displayed Text, for example. Is this possible?

The shape name has to be changed using software (a simple macro), displayed
text can also be changed with a macro. For displayed text you can also
create custom shapes by modifying the ones that you normally use to take
advantage of 'text fields', which are documented in the help facilities. For
examples of using macros you might check this out
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...ffice.10).aspx
al


"Brian" wrote in message
...
I want to create new objects by linking to external data. I can do this,
and
attributes in the external data map fine to the shapes. But I can't
figure
out how to set some system level attributes through this method - I can't
set
the Shape Name or Displayed Text, for example. Is this possible?

What version and edition of Visio?
What method are you using to link the data?

"AlEdlund" wrote in message
...
The shape name has to be changed using software (a simple macro),
displayed text can also be changed with a macro. For displayed text you
can also create custom shapes by modifying the ones that you normally use
to take advantage of 'text fields', which are documented in the help
facilities. For examples of using macros you might check this out
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...ffice.10).aspx
al


"Brian" wrote in message
...
I want to create new objects by linking to external data. I can do this,
and
attributes in the external data map fine to the shapes. But I can't
figure
out how to set some system level attributes through this method - I can't
set
the Shape Name or Displayed Text, for example. Is this possible?