Visio - Saved as web page

[bmp_gti]

I have a Visio workflow (saved as a web page) with hyperlinks that point to a PDF file. After I click on a link, I leave the page, and then when I click back, my page is rendered as it was when it first loaded (default 100% zoom). I want to render the page as it was when I left it last. In other words, if I zoomed in, and scrolled around, I want that to stay in memory, and be the same when I return to my workflow. Any way to do this?

Thanks

[JohnGoldsmith]

Hello bmp,

Saving session state in the way you describe is a good idea, although not simple to implement on a non-server based page.  In general I don't think you can alter the history object.  I suppose one route might be to write some pan and zoom parameters to a cookie before you navigate off somewhere else (using the onbeforeunload event), and then add a check (for that cookie info) in an onload event.

I'm mid-project at the moment so don't have lots of spare time to investigate, but I'll update here if I get a chance.

As a temporary workaround (and I recognise this isn't ideal) you could ensure that all of your links open in a new window and then at least you'd be in the same place when you want to come back to the page.

Hope that helps

Best regards

John


John Goldsmith (Visio MVP)
www.visualSignals.typepad.co.uk
www.visualSignals.co.uk 

[bmp_gti]

Thanks for the ideas. The files are actually hosted on a sharepoint server, but I think I would still have to use a cookie...

[Visio Guy]

Cross-link to this related thread:

Linking to a Visio shape

[bmp_gti]

As a temporary solution, I have (with the help of an actual programmer) edited the Visio generated code to open the links in a new window. 

[scott]

I'm glad you found a creative solution, but you actually don't need a programmer to open hyperlinks in new windows -- you can use a Visio feature that, for whatever reason, Microsoft didn't expose in the hyperlink dialog.

When you add a hyperlink to a Visio object, Visio creates a Hyperlink section in the shapesheet for the object -- see the image below. Notice the column called "NewWindow". Click into that cell and change FALSE to TRUE and you're all set. When you save as web page and the user clicks on the link, it will open in a new browser window.

[bmp_gti]

I'm glad you found a creative solution, but you actually don't need a programmer to open hyperlinks in new windows -- you can use a Visio feature that, for whatever reason, Microsoft didn't expose in the hyperlink dialog.

When you add a hyperlink to a Visio object, Visio creates a Hyperlink section in the shapesheet for the object -- see the image below. Notice the column called "NewWindow". Click into that cell and change FALSE to TRUE and you're all set. When you save as web page and the user clicks on the link, it will open in a new browser window.

Cool. I didn't know about the shapesheet. Is there a thread that explains what else the shapesheet can do for me?

[scott]

The shapesheet is the magic that makes Visio rock! John Goldsmith has a great overview of the shapesheet here:
   http://visualsignals.typepad.co.uk/vislog/2007/10/just-for-starte.html
Note that he includes references to additional sources of information.

He also offers a few tips here:
   http://visualsignals.typepad.co.uk/vislog/2008/09/3-shapesheet-tips-part-1---insert-function.html

And of course, the Visio Guy himself is a master at exploiting the shapesheet! Either enter "shapesheet" in the search box at the top of the Visio Guy web site or use the "Visio Guy Categories" dropdown in the upper right of the home page and you'll find dozens of articles to read.

[scott]

One more thought -- be sure to read Chris' article on the Top 9 Reasons for Turning-on Developer Mode
   http://www.visguy.com/2008/08/04/top-9-reasons-for-turning-on-developer-mode/
The number one reason is easier access to the shapesheet!