Default and custom data formats

A data format is the arrangement of data fields for a specific shape. After you arrange data fields on a shape, you can save the data format. Then you can apply or copy the data formats to existng shapes or set the data formats as the default for new shapes.

In This Topic

Save a default data format
Apply a default data format
Save a custom data format
Apply a custom data format

Save a default data format

You can create or change the data format for any shape.

Process Map Example

The default data format for a Process shape displays X variables above the shape and Y variables below the shape. To change this default setting so it applies to all new Process shapes that you add to the map, complete the following steps.

Select a Process shape.
Format the Processshape to display X Variable Name to the left of the shape and Y Variable Name to the right of the shape. (For information on how to format shape data, go to Display data on a map.
Right-click the process shape you just formatted, then choose Shape Data > Set as Process Shape Default.
Insert a new process shape for your changes to affect.

When you add values for X Variable Name and Y Variable Name, they appear beside the shape.

Value Stream Map Example

Suppose you want transport shapes to always display the distance traveled below the shape. The following steps show you how.

Select a transport shape.
Format the shape to display Distance below the shape.
Right-click the process shape you just formatted, then choose Shape Data > Set as Default Data Format.
Insert a new transport shape.

When you add values for Distance on the Other tab in the task pane, they appear beside the shape.

Apply a default data format

You can apply default data formats to existing shapes.

Select the shape.
Choose Map > Data Display, then under Apply a Data Format, select the default data format to apply.

Save a custom data format

After you create a data format, you can save it as a custom data format that you can apply to other shapes.

Right-click the shape that has the format you want to save, then choose Shape Data > Save as a Custom Data Format.
In the New Data Format dialog box, enter a name for the format.
The custom data format appears in the Data Display menu.

Apply a custom data format

When you apply a custom data format to a shape, it copies the custom data format to the selected shape.

Select the shape to apply the data format to.
Choose Map > Data Display, then under Apply a Custom Data Format, choose the custom data format to apply.