Wrap text in Use case in Microsoft Visio

Question

I am making a use case diagram, and the problem is:

I type some text and it is always display in one line, making my use case elipse too big. Does anyone know how to make it go to the next line? I think this option is called wrap text in StarUML...

Thank you in advance!

Nanek

Answer 1

In Microsoft Visio 2007 first you need to select your shape, right click it and choose "Format", then "Protection..." and uncheck "Text" checkbox, click OK. This will allow to edit shape text. When that is done you can select your use case shape, choose "Text Tool" from standard toolbar. Use case text will appear as text box. You can hit enter where necessary and then click "Pointer Tool" to complete operation.

Answer 2

1. Right-click the use case.
2. Select "Show ShapeSheet".
3. Scroll down to the "Protection" section.
4. Change the value near "LockTextEdit" to 0.
5. Close the ShapeSheet.

Now press F2 and edit the name. Add line breaks with Enter.

It is tedious to unprotect each use case individually. If you are starting a new diagram, you may want to unprotect one use case and copy it instead of adding new use cases from the palette.

The downside of adding line breaks to the name of use case is that when you modify its properties, the name truncates to the first line break. Luckily, use cases do not have much useful properties other than name and documentation.