Entering Data in Shapes
A shape becomes a data-entry form when you enter values, or data, for its shape data. In the Shape Data window, the label is the name of particular data, and the value is the information you type or select for a given property. The part of the shape data where you type is sometimes referred to as a field, because the shape data work like database fields. For example, in an office plan, you can enter a value for a furniture shape’s Manufacturer property to create a visual record of purchase orders from a given manufacturer. In an organization chart, you can enter telephone numbers to create a visual employee phone list, as Figure 6-9 shows. After you enter values for shape data, you can extract it in a report, as described later in this chapter.
Figure 6-9. In this organization chart, shapes include shape data for employee telephone extensions. By entering data in the Telephone field, you can create a visual phone list.
Note
When you’re entering values for a number of shapes, dock the Shape Data window under or along the drawing page so that you can see all the properties and shapes. Then you can click a shape to see its data.
To enter values in shape data, follow these steps:
1. | Select a shape. |
2. | If the Shape Data window is not already open, choose View, Shape Data Window. If no shape data have been defined for the shape, you’ll see a message to that effect in the Shape Data window. |
3. | Click in a shape data field, type a value, and then press Enter. If you click in a field and an arrow appears, the shape data are meant to provide configurable options for the shape. Depending on the shape, you might be able to type in the field. For example, the Wall Thickness shape data for wall shapes displays a drop-down list of options, but you can also type any value for thickness. Wall Height displays a similar set of options.
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4. | When you’ve entered values for a shape, select a new shape on the page to display its values.
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