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I am using a Visio 2016 Cross-Functional Flowchart template - Vertical layout. I added two swimlane columns to the two columns in the prebuilt template, then resized them so that they evenly fit within the 11 X 8.5 in size. However, when I try to resize the Title column so that it is even across the page and does not overlap the right-most column, I end up either dragging the entire flow chart or I get the yellow "Shape protection,..." message in the 'Cross-Functional Flowchart - cannot edit column width' image. I tried the following things to be able to resize the Title column, but none work.

Also, is there a way to delete/remove this Title column altogether?

  1. Ungroup - I get the yellow "Shape protection,..." message.
  2. Edit width in Size & Position to 8 in. - width flips back to 6.25 in.
  3. In Developer tab > Shape Design > Protection, remove all protection. I still cannot edit the width.
  4. I went to the Home tab > Editing group > Layers > Layer Properties, and Lock is not checked.

Cross-Functional Flowchart - cannot edit column width

Anne Bailly
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3 Answers3

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I grappled with this problem not too long ago. There's a couple possible solutions:

  • Click on the Developer tab (if you don't have that, you'll need to enable it in File->Options->Customize Ribbon->Check the Developer Box and it will appear.)

  • In the Developer tab, click on "Drawing Explorer". You'll see the file path of your Visio document at the top, and some folder icons below.

  • Right-click where you see the document's file path. Choose "Protect Document" from that menu.

  • Uncheck the box that says "Shapes" next to it.

If that didn't work, try this:

  • Click on the Developer tab (if you don't have that, you'll need to enable it in File->Options->Customize Ribbon->Check the Developer Box and it will appear.)

  • Right click the flowchart and select "Show Shape Sheet". (You won't see this if you don't have the Developer tab enabled.)

  • You'll see a big gray window appear. Right-click anywhere in the dark gray and select "View Sections".

  • You'll see a pretty large list of check boxes. Click "None", then check "Protection" and click OK.

  • You'll see a bunch of fields called "LockWidth, LockHeight, ... " etc. Change all their values from 1 to 0. This should allow you to do what you want.

puppydrum64
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Answer is at below link. In short :

  1. add developer to ribbon (File --> Options)
  2. select shape, click Developer in ribbon --> Protection --> unselect height and width

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-format-text-to-fit-a-shape-in-microsoft-word

user34612
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I have been plagued for years by this problem. I just discovered that my drawings that suffer this problem all had PowerPoint snippets configured. I use the PowerPoint export feature quite often. After I deleted the PowerPoint snippets for a drawing with cross functional flowchart elements, I was able to resize any of the swim lanes and phases.

John
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