Fix found! For Subshapes do not stay in given z-order after save and open

[Visisthebest]

For this issue: http://visguy.com/vgforum/index.php?topic=9617.15

Other than going back with a time machine to the age of the .VSD file, is there a solution for Visio .VSDX files?

Ungrouping/regrouping is not a good fix for this, as it requires a ton of work for complex shapes.

Is there a fix which requires some work but not a huge amount of work like an ungroup/regroup?

[Visisthebest]

Ok I found a solution which I can replicate here.

The problem in Visio 2021 is:

1. Drop a group shape from a stencil.
2. Drop a shape in to this group
3. Move this shape to the back of the other subshapes
4. Save the file, and reopen

-> you should get the issue we identified.

However if you do this:

1. Drop a group shape from a stencil
2. Drop a shape in to this group
3. Move this shape to the back of the other subshapes
4. Drag the group shape with the extra subshape in to a stencil
5. Drop the stencil shape (master) on the page again
4. Save the file, and reopen

-> now the Z order is persisted in the group shape on the page!

My thinking was this: Microsoft must have missed this issue/bug, and it is probably because they were updating shapes then putting them back in to stencils.

If you always (just) do that, you will never see this issue. This might be how Microsoft missed this issue/bug.

[wapperdude]

First, good sleuthing.

Second, is somebody trying to get on Santa's nice list???  Wow.  You're giving M$ a plausible deniability scenario.  Nice...I guess.   

[Visisthebest]

I wonder what is happening when you put a shape in a stencil, what is changed so the Z order is persisted.

I found some other remarkable effects from putting a shape in a stencil I will share in another post.