Microsoft Visio 2010 - Basics

The Visio screen

The getting started window appears by default every time you open Visio. The commands are displayed in Ribbon format across the top of the page. You can also access templates and Shapes.

To Create a New Diagram from Scratch

1. Select the File tab. 2. Click New. 3. Click Create.

Shapes

The basic Visa Shapes can be found in the home Tab. From here you can select lines, squares or circles. Pointer The default tool. Used for selecting

and moving objects Connector Used for connecting objects

Text Create standalone text boxes Shape Used to draw either rectangles or

ovals Connector point

This creates a custom connection point

Text Rotate Allows you to rotate a text panel

Template Categories

To create a drawing from a template: 1. Select the File tab. 2. Click New. 3. Select a template Template Categories

a) General : This is used for basic Shapes and flowcharts

b) Maps and Floor Plans: creates building plans, directional maps, and building plans

c) Business: creates workflow diagrams, pivot diagrams and other business related diagrams.

d) Network: this is used for network diagrams, cabling and web layout

e) Engineering: creates diagrams for electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems.

f) Schedule: generates calendar’s, Gantt diagrams and timelines

g) Flowchart: this template creates data flow diagrams, flowcharts and cross functional diagrams also known as swimlanes

h) Software and Database: Used for designing software structures and general database

Stencils

A stencil is a group of Shapes which relate to a particular template To open stencil: 1. Click More Shapes... 2. Select a stencil. To create a new stencil: 1. Select More Shapes. 2. Select a new stencil. 3. Add the Shapes to the new stencil and save.

1

2

Microsoft Visio 2010 - Basics

To align Shapes 1. Select Shapes 2. Select the Home tab 3. Click the Position button 4. Select the Align option To distribute Shapes 1. Select Shapes 2. Select the Home tab 3. Click Position. 4. Click Space Shapes, 5. Select the Distribution option

To connect Shapes

AutoConnect

Visio automatically adds and connects the shape from the Shapes window, and aligns and distributes the Shapes as necessary.

Click the AutoConnect checkbox on the View tab.

3. Click the blue connection arrow on the side of the shape that you want to connect to.

2. Hold the mouse pointer over the shape on the drawing page that you want to connect the new shape to.

AutoConnect lets you add, connect, distribute, and align a whole series of Shapes, like those in a flowchart, with only a few clicks.

3. Click and drag between connection points to connect Shapes.

1. Click a shape in the Shapes window.

2. Click the Connector Tool button.

Using the Connector Tool: 1. Select the Home tab.

To turn on AutoConnect:

To use AutoConnect: