Understanding Variable List Shape Data

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 93 views

Introduction

Microsoft Visio is a powerful diagramming and vector graphics tool that allows users to create a wide range of diagrams, from flowcharts to network diagrams. One of the key features of Visio is its ability to assign shape data to shapes, which can be used to store information about the shape, such as its properties or relationships. In this article, we will explore how to assign to "Variable List" type of Visio shape data in VBA.

Background

In Visio, shape data is stored in a shape's ShapeSheet, which is a spreadsheet-like interface that allows users to view and edit the shape's properties. Shape data can be assigned to a shape in several ways, including through the ShapeSheet, through the Visio user interface, or through VBA code. In this article, we will focus on assigning shape data through VBA code.

Understanding Variable List Shape Data

Variable List shape data is a type of shape data that allows users to store a list of values. This type of shape data is useful when you need to store a list of items, such as a list of parents or a list of children. In Visio, Variable List shape data is represented by a list of values, where each value is a separate item in the list.

Assigning Variable List Shape Data in VBA

To assign Variable List shape data in VBA, you will need to use the Shape.Data property, which allows you to access and modify the shape's data. Here is an example of how to assign a Variable List shape data to a shape in VBA:

Sub AssignVariableListShapeData()
    Dim vis As Visio.Application
    Dim shape As Visio.Shape
    Dim data As Visio.Data
&#39; Get the active Visio application
Set vis = Application.ActiveVisioApplication

&#39; Get the active shape
Set shape = vis.ActivePage.Shapes(1)

&#39; Get the shape&#39;s data
Set data = shape.Data

&#39; Create a new Variable List shape data
data.Add &quot;Variable List&quot;, &quot;Parents&quot;

&#39; Add a value to the Variable List shape data
data.AddValue &quot;Parent1&quot;
data.AddValue &quot;Parent2&quot;
data.AddValue &quot;Parent3&quot;

&#39; Save the shape&#39;s data
shape.Data.Save

End Sub

In this example, we first get the active Visio application and the active shape. We then get the shape's data and create a new Variable List shape data. We add a value to the Variable List shape data and save the shape's data.

Working with Variable List Shape Data in VBA

Once you have assigned a Variable List shape data to a shape, you can work with it in VBA using the Shape.Data property. Here are some examples of how to work with Variable List shape data in VBA:

Getting the values of a Variable List shape data: You can get the values of a Variable List shape data using the Data.Values property. For example:

Dim values As Visio.Values
Set values = shape.Data.Values

Adding a value to a Variable List shape data: You can add a value to a Variable List shape data using the Data.AddValue method. For example:

shape.Data.AddValue "New Value"

Removing a value from a Variable List shape data: You can remove a value from a Variable List shape data using the Data.RemoveValue method. For example:

shape.Data.RemoveValue "Old Value"

Clearing a Variable List shape data: You can clear a Variable List shape data using the Data.Clear method. For example:

shape.Data.Clear

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to assign to "Variable List" type of Visio shape data in VBA. We have seen how to create a new Variable List shape data, add values to it, and work with it in VBA. We have also seen how to get the values of a Variable List shape data, add a value to it, remove a value from it, and clear it. With this knowledge, you can now work with Variable List shape data in VBA and create more complex diagrams in Visio.

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common issues and solutions that you may encounter when working with Variable List shape data in VBA:

Issue: The Shape.Data property is not available.
Solution: Make sure that the shape has shape data assigned to it. You can do this by right-clicking on the shape and selecting "Data" > "Define Shape Data".
Issue: The Data.AddValue method is not available.
Solution: Make sure that the shape's data is a Variable List shape data. You can do this by checking the shape's data type in the ShapeSheet.
Issue: The Data.Values property is not available.
Solution: Make sure that the shape's data is a Variable List shape data. You can do this by checking the shape's data type in the ShapeSheet.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices that you should follow when working with Variable List shape data in VBA:

Use meaningful variable names: Use meaningful variable names to make your code easier to read and understand.
Use comments: Use comments to explain what your code is doing and why.
Test your code: Test your code thoroughly to make sure that it is working correctly.
Use error handling: Use error handling to catch and handle any errors that may occur when working with Variable List shape data in VBA.

Conclusion

Q: What is Variable List shape data in Visio?

A: Variable List shape data is a type of shape data that allows users to store a list of values. This type of shape data is useful when you need to store a list of items, such as a list of parents or a list of children.

Q: How do I assign a Variable List shape data to a shape in VBA?

A: To assign a Variable List shape data to a shape in VBA, you can use the Shape.Data property. Here is an example of how to assign a Variable List shape data to a shape in VBA:

Sub AssignVariableListShapeData()
    Dim vis As Visio.Application
    Dim shape As Visio.Shape
    Dim data As Visio.Data
&#39; Get the active Visio application
Set vis = Application.ActiveVisioApplication

&#39; Get the active shape
Set shape = vis.ActivePage.Shapes(1)

&#39; Get the shape&#39;s data
Set data = shape.Data

&#39; Create a new Variable List shape data
data.Add &quot;Variable List&quot;, &quot;Parents&quot;

&#39; Add a value to the Variable List shape data
data.AddValue &quot;Parent1&quot;
data.AddValue &quot;Parent2&quot;
data.AddValue &quot;Parent3&quot;

&#39; Save the shape&#39;s data
shape.Data.Save

End Sub

Q: How do I get the values of a Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: To get the values of a Variable List shape data in VBA, you can use the Data.Values property. Here is an example of how to get the values of a Variable List shape data in VBA:

Dim values As Visio.Values
Set values = shape.Data.Values

Q: How do I add a value to a Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: To add a value to a Variable List shape data in VBA, you can use the Data.AddValue method. Here is an example of how to add a value to a Variable List shape data in VBA:

shape.Data.AddValue "New Value"

Q: How do I remove a value from a Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: To remove a value from a Variable List shape data in VBA, you can use the Data.RemoveValue method. Here is an example of how to remove a value from a Variable List shape data in VBA:

shape.Data.RemoveValue "Old Value"

Q: How do I clear a Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: To clear a Variable List shape data in VBA, you can use the Data.Clear method. Here is an example of how to clear a Variable List shape data in VBA:

shape.Data.Clear

Q: What are some common issues that I may encounter when working with Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: Some common issues that you may encounter when working with Variable List shape data in VBA include:

The Shape.Data property is not available.
The Data.AddValue method is not available.
The Data.Values property is not available.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: To troubleshoot issues with Variable List shape data in VBA, you can try the following:

Make sure that the shape has shape data assigned to it.
Make sure that the shape's data is a Variable List shape data.
Check the shape's data type in the ShapeSheet.
Use the Debug.Print statement to print out the shape's data and see if it is what you expect.

Q: What are some best practices for working with Variable List shape data in VBA?

A: Some best practices for working with Variable List shape data in VBA include:

Use meaningful variable names to make your code easier to read and understand.
Use comments to explain what your code is doing and why.
Test your code thoroughly to make sure that it is working correctly.
Use error handling to catch and handle any errors that may occur when working with Variable List shape data in VBA.