Visio Guy

Thank you Wapperdude yes that is one option, we can even make it so the shape data of one shape (a smaller list of data items) is pushed in to the main shape shape (that has the long list) each time a value is changed.

Hopefully there is another option to deal with this as well. A custom winform is another solution of course, or working via Excel import/export.

...sitting in my rocking chair, those Visio issues won't leave me alone...

Long lists seem problematical no matter how you slice them.  Slice them???  Hmmmm.  Off the top of my head, no thinking involved, how about multiple shapes?  Each shape has a smaller portion of the main list.

I am running in to a pretty important usability issue with the shape data editor (for the end user).

The list of data items for this application is a lot longer than the shape editor window, if the user fills in a dropdown later in the list it always shifts position to put the item filled in to the end of the visible list items.

This is very awkward however for users that have to fill in lots of values quickly, it makes filling in a long list very user-unfriendly.

When you fill in a long list, you want it to stay in position. Now, after filling in one dropdown value you have to scroll down after each dropdown. Even more annoyingly, because scrolling still has focus on the dropdown when you use the keyboard to scroll down you change the value you just entered.

Are there ways to avoid this, or to otherwise help users fill in lots of data (a lot of dropdowns in this case) with the shape data editor?

Ideally someone knows a solution, but a good workaround would be great too!

Thank you for the tips and ideas everyone, the simplest solution in this case turns out to go in to the shapesheet.

Second upload post.

more to follow ....

Thomas, I gotta up my game, you're showing me up!

I actually wanted to upload some youtube stuff, but you're way faster.

And this youtube requires so much right speech and editing.

I'll rather upload some commented notebooks. Hoping they'll carry the intention as well.

Autocomplete:
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Notes:
* Hit [Tab] after obj.
* Enter characters to filter, hit [Enter] to apply
* Filter is case sensitive
  -> app.ac + [Tab] -> no results
  -> app.Ac + [Tab] -> works
* Objects must be active
  -> I.e. the example in the screenshot only works if you run the cell before using "win"

More info here:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26990655/how-to-have-win32com-code-completion-in-ipython

Edit:
Attached a template Notebook.

Really cool, but I definitely need auto-complete.
Maybe this could be added by loading some type-library..?
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Well, as a group is a virtual shape, just selecting the group will change all sub-shape properties, generally. ...unless...
After you select the group, then use the text tool, then do text formatting.  Unfortunately, Visio still is obliged to change one of the shape's settings, but not the others.  The key is to use the text tool first, otherwise Visio changes all subshapes. 

I did not see how to create a text entry that applied to the virtual group only, thus, creating a "floating" text not associated with any of the subshapes.  Perhaps, for this, need to go to containers realm.

In the scenario where a shape is converted to a group, then, at group level, using the Text tool,  Visio uses this shape for group  text.  But, Visio will default change all subshapes plus group shape if the Text tool is not invoked.

Ahh... you use Python as a "Visio Terminal". That's a great idea indeed!
I will try that