Multiple text boxes in one shape?

[KurtPW]

Hi all:

Is it possible to have more than one text box on a custome shape? The shape may be a group of other shapes or a join? I can actually do it in tests where I group two rectangles, but once text has been entered in either one it is nearly impossible to select for deletion.

Thanks

Kurt

[wapperdude]

Not sure what you're really asking...seems like you answered your own question.  To delete the text, click on it, then select the text tool and delete.  The trick is to get the text tool after the selection is made as the "normal" selection pointer will decend into the group more reliably than the text tool will.

See attachment for complex grouping of text boxes.  The first shape consists of a square, plus two text boxes (each is filled with different color), and these are grouped.  So, there are 3 levels of text:  top level is the group, next level are the 2 text boxes, and the 3rd, bottom level is the shape text.  

This group was then grouped with a simple square, so now, there are 4 "elevations" of text.

Note:  if you delete the text from a text box, I believe the text box disappears.

HTH
Wapperdude

[KurtPW]

Thanks for the reply, WD.

I thought I followed you, right until you said: "Note:  if you delete the text from a text box, I believe the text box disappears."

That's the issue I am seeing. What I want to do, in essence, is create a custom shape that contains two different text boxes a user can type into. I reduced your sample down into the simplest form - just the two textboxes grouped together. I can select the text to type into, but, as you mention, if I try to delete it I delete entire objects.

I tried first selecting the TB with the selection tool, then switched to the TextBox tool, but that made no difference. I have attached the scaled-down sample. Sorry if I am not asking my question using correct Visio syntax. I'm a moderate user at best.

Thanks

[vojo]

ok...

1. make boxes for all the text entries you want (can look at autosize later)
2. group them
3. in each box....rt click  behavior==>double click==>set edit text
4. In group, rt click behavior ==> show members first

Now when you select a box for text....double click...in text mode.   If you delete text, box stays

[KurtPW]

VOJO! W00t!

That did it. I was close - just didn't have that last part down: 4. In group, rt click behavior ==> show members first
THAT was the missing element!

Thanks so much! That was a great help.

Namaste.

[Yacine]

I'd also recommend to protect the text property of the group, to avoid that users add a text to the group

[KurtPW]

Yacine, I'll have to llok that one up as I don't know what it does. But look it up I shall! Thanks.

namaste

[Yacine]

• Right mouse click on shape
• Format
• Protection
• Text

[KurtPW]

Thanks Yacine. I appreciate the answer. Since you are so willing to chime in (as I won't feel I am asking you to do my work for me), what is it actually protecting? You can still edit text so what does it do?

namaste

[Yacine]

no you can't. You only can edit the text of the group members, but not of the group itself.
Watch the pic Wapperdude sent, with the bold blue text of the group. I presume, that is not something you want to happen.

[KurtPW]

Oh, so it's the GROUP text that is protected! Going to try that now....

[wapperdude]

Let me clarify the text box issue ... at least, from my perspective.

I make a distinction between a shape with text and text "without a shape".  If you draw a shape, and then type in some text, that "text" belongs to the shape, i.e., shape text.  If you use the text tool, click anywhere in the page, and enter text, that is a textbox. 

Now, if you select a shape, and delete it's text, the shape remains.  But if you select a textbox, delete the text, the whole thing vanishes.  As long as there are no other properties, e.g., fill or lines, present, poof gone.  If you add fill to the textbox, it won't disappear when you delete the text.  You can be really tricky, add fill to a textbox, make it 100% transparent.  Now delete the text.  The textbox will remain.

Sorry for being so long winded.  Anyway, I was so focused on the text aspect, forgot about changing the group settings, my apologies.  Nevertheless, if you are using textboxes, as I've defined, deleting all of the text makes them vaporize.  At least, it always does for me.


Sorry for any confusion.
Wapperdude

[KurtPW]

No WD, I'm sure the confusion is mine. I see the distinction you are making.

"I make a distinction between a shape with text and text "without a shape".  If you draw a shape, and then type in some text, that "text" belongs to the shape, i.e., shape text.  If you use the text tool, click anywhere in the page, and enter text, that is a textbox. "

I guess I really meant the text property of the shape, as you point out. I assumed that property was implemented through a "textbox", but that might not be the correct name here.

Either way, it works now. My next challenge is to join two shapes (not group) and see if I can keep their separate text elements!

[wapperdude]

If you're doing a literal joining, as in menu bar > shapes > operations > join, then, the answer is no.  Joining would create a new "single" shape.

However, you can "fake" it.  Two separate shapes, joined and in separable.  What you can do is go into the shapesheet of one of the shapes, force it's position by formula, to reference the other shape.  Make sure to "guard" the formula.  This will literally stick the two shapes together.  But, you can only move the pair by selecting the 1st shape, as the 2nd "tags along" as it were.  Once joined, you could group them, so that it looks like you're selecting both.

Just some thoughts.

Wapperdude

[KurtPW]

Thanks WD. I did discover exactly what you said about them becoming one shape. I have not played with shape sheets but can see their power!

It's pretty impressive, from what I gather, what Visio can do!