Help powerdraw 5.0
Visio Option Settings
Microsoft Visio is a powerdraw light CAD diagramming tool that is mostly associated with the creation of complex diagrams, such as flowcharts and network layouts, enabling users to visualize and communicate information clearly across business and technical domains.
The default settings work well with flowcharts and organizational chart. They automatically add connecting lines between objects, but this is not needed for WBDs. I recommend that we change a few settings in the Option page and actually turn off a few Visio features which will help with drawing.
I suggest a few other changes as well, that have worked for me, although you may adjust the settings to suit your preference.
Switch off the dynamic Connecting feature
Open Visio and select the File tab and then select the Options on the bottom left of the side panel to open the Options window. Then open the Advanced option window. Uncheck the top 2 features, the ‘Enable Live Dynamics’ and the Enable Connector Splitting.
2. Changes Zoom settings.
I suggest turning off 3 zoom features. The ‘Zoom to Scroll’, the ‘Center on Selection’ options and the ‘Select Shapes partially within area’ features.
I prefer to use the control & shift key method as mentioned at the start of the Help File. I feel it is a bit more intuitive once mastered, and fewer step involved to zoom in and out of the WBD, which you will do quite often. Having said that, it is entirely up to you to find which works best for you.
3. Add Tab for Locking objects and editing objects.
Adding a tab allows quicker access for locking objects on the page. These commands are mostly for embedded Excel tables, but also for any other objects or images (logos) that we do not what to accidentally move or delete. Locking Excel tables ensures the size and position of the table remains the same after you open to make changes, then close.
Just below the Advanced section in your Option Page, open the Customize Ribbon section.
On the right-hand side select the Home Tab. Below it, add a New Tab and name it Lock Tables.
Select the folder inside the Lock Tables. Then on the left-hand side select the All Commands, then scroll down and find the Protection command.
In the center you will see the Add option. Add it to your new group.
Let’s add one more command while we are here.
Go back to all commands and scroll down to Edit Object command and add it to you new group as well.
Click okay to close
You will be back at the Home Tab and you should see the new tab in your Ribbon Tool Bar. You can customize and add other commands to the Ribbon Tool Bar as you get more comfortable using Visio. I would exercise caution in the beginning
In this video I walk through all these steps to help you set up Visio before we explore working with Visio.