Number and Renumber Shapes

Home > Getting Started > Create a Map, Diagram, or Flowchart > Number and Renumber Shapes

Shape numbers do not necessarily indicate the flow of a process during simulation. You may choose to use shape numbers to identify a shape.

Diagrams in a hierarchy have a parent shape that links to a subprocess. By default, the shape numbers in a subdiagram (or subprocess) all start with the diagram’s parent shape number. This parent shape is in another diagram within the same document, and it links to the diagram. If a diagram has multiple parent shapes, you can choose which shape to use as the parent for numbering purposes.

Select a shape or shapes. If you are renumbering all shapes, ensure that all shapes are unselected.

Click on the Toolbox toolbar or, on the Format menu, point to Numbering.

Choose a task below and follow the procedure.

Task	Procedure
Show or hide numbers on all shapes	Choose Show All Shape Numbers or Hide All Shape Numbers.
Show or hide numbers on selected shapes	Choose Show Shape Number or Hide Shape Number.
Renumber all shapes or selected shapes automatically	Shape numbers must be displayed to use this procedure. Choose Auto Renumber. Use the Automatic Renumber dialog box to renumber all shapes.
Renumber shapes manually	Shape numbers must be displayed to use this procedure. Choose Manual Renumber. In the Renumber dialog box, type the next number you want displayed. Click the shape in the diagram you want to renumber.
Set the default number format for new shapes	Choose Default Number Format. In the Shape Fields dialog box, click Format. Use the Numbering Format dialog box to select a new example number or enter your own numbering scheme.
Change the number format for existing shapes	Choose Number Format. In the Shape Fields dialog box, click Format. Use the Numbering Format dialog box to select a new example number or enter your own numbering scheme. Use the procedure above to set the default number format for new shapes.
Indicate parent shape number on a shape with multiple parent shapes	Parent shapes must have different numbering schemes. If you need to change the number format, see the procedure above. Choose Diagram Parent Shape. Select a diagram parent shape number from the drop-down list.