Microsoft Visio

For the TV manufacturer, see Vizio.

Microsoft Office Visio

Microsoft Visio Premium 2010 on Windows 7
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Stable release	2010 (14.0.4760.1000) / 15 June 2010; 16 months ago (2010-06-15)
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	Diagramming software
License	Proprietary commercial software
Website	office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/

Microsoft Visio ( /ˈvɪzi.oʊ/ viz-zee-oh), formerly known as Microsoft Office Visio, is a commercial diagramming program for Microsoft Windows that uses vector graphics to create diagrams.

Features

The current version, Microsoft Visio 2010 for Windows, is available in three editions: Standard, Professional and Premium. The Standard and Professional editions both share the same interface, but the latter has additional templates for more advanced diagrams and layouts as well as unique functionality that makes it easy for users to connect their diagrams to a number of data sources and display the information graphically.^[1][2] The Premium edition has three additional diagram types with intelligent rules support, validation and subprocess (diagram breakdown) support.^[3]

File format

Native file formats

VSD	Diagram
VSS	Stencil
VST	Template
VSW	Web Drawing
VDX	XML Diagram
VSX	XML Stencil
VTX	XML Template
VSL	Add-on

Due to its proprietary file format, few other programs can read Visio files. However, Visio can read and write files as VDX files. VDX is a XML Schema based ("DatadiagramML") and well documented file format. With VDX it is possible to work with an XML based file format without the need to use the old binary file format VSD. DatadiagramML is supported by many other business process management (BPM) tools like Agilian, ARIS Express, ConceptDraw, Omnigraffle or IBM WebSphere. Omnigraffle Pro on the Mac can read and write Visio files.^[4]

History

Visio began as a standalone product produced by Shapeware Corporation; version 1.0 shipped in 1992. Just before 1.0 shipped, Shapeware Corporation changed their name to Visio Corporation to take advantage of market recognition and related product equity.^{[citation needed]} Microsoft acquired Visio in 2000, re-branding it as a Microsoft Office application, like Microsoft Project; however, it has never been included in any of the Office suites. Microsoft included a Visio for Enterprise Architects edition with some editions of Visual Studio .NET 2003 and Visual Studio 2005.^[5]

Along with Microsoft Visio 2002 Professional, Microsoft introduced Visio Enterprise Network Tools and Visio Network Center. Visio Enterprise Network Tools was an add-on product that enabled automated network and directory services diagramming. Visio Network Center was a subscription-based website where users could locate the latest network documentation content and exact-replica network equipment shapes from 500 leading manufacturers.^[6] The former has been discontinued, while the latter's shape-finding features are now integrated into the program itself.^[7] Visio 2007 was released on November 30, 2006.

Unlike the core Office 2007 applications, Microsoft Visio 2007 did not feature the Ribbon user interface, but Microsoft Visio 2010 does.

Versions

• Visio 1.0 (Standard, Lite, Home).
• Visio 2.0
• Visio 3.0
• Visio 4.0 (Standard, Technical)
• Visio 4.1 (Standard, Technical)
• Visio 4.5 (Standard, Professional, Technical)
• Visio 5.0 (Standard, Professional, Technical)
• Visio 2000 (6.0; Standard, Professional, Technical, Enterprise), later updated to SP1 and Microsoft branding after Visio Corporation's acquisition
• Visio 2002 (10.0; Standard, Professional)
• Visio Enterprise Network Tools, Visio Network Center
• Visio for Enterprise Architects 2003 (VEA 2003) (based on Visio 2002 and included with Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect)
• Office Visio 2003 (11.0; Standard, Professional)
• Office Visio for Enterprise Architects 2005 (VEA 2005) (based on Visio 2003 and included with Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite and Team Architect editions)
• Office Visio 2007 (12.0; Standard, Professional).
• Visio 2010 (14.0; Standard ($249.99), Professional ($599.99), Premium ($999.99)

Note: There are no Visio versions 7, 8, or 9, because after Microsoft acquired and branded Visio as a Microsoft Office product, the Visio version numbers followed the Office version numbers. Version 13 was skipped due to superstition.

See also

Concepts

• Concept map
• Diagrams
• Flowchart

Software

• Diagramming software
• List of concept mapping and mind mapping software
• Comparison of project management software

References

1. ^ "A comparison of Visio Standard and Visio Professional". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896660. 
2. ^ "Visio 2007 Edition Comparison". Microsoft. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/FX101757911033.aspx. 
3. ^ "Visio 2010 Edition Comparison". Microsoft. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/visio-edition-comparison-FX101838162.aspx. 
4. ^ "OmniGraffle for Mac". The Omni Group. http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnigraffle/. 
5. ^ "History of Visio". MVPS. http://visio.mvps.org/History.htm. 
6. ^ "Press release". Microsoft. 2001-05-01. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/may01/05-07networkpr.mspx. 
7. ^ "Outils de réseau Visio Enterprise produit abandonné". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327399. 

Further reading

• "The History of Visio". Gateway Support. Gateway, Inc.. http://support.gateway.com/s/tutorials/Tu_845507.shtml. Retrieved 15 October 2010. 
• Rasmussen, Anders Ingeman (2010). "Microsoft Visio 2010 — Open source Visio alternatives". OSALT: Open Source as Alternative. osalt.com. http://www.osalt.com/visio. Retrieved 15 October 2010. 
• "No ERD to SQL code generation in Visio 2003/2007 Pro". Just another tech blog. Blogger. 25 March 2009. http://richard.gluga.com/2009/03/no-erd-to-sql-code-generation-in-visio.html. Retrieved 15 October 2010. 
• "Create a floor plan". Microsoft Office Online Help. Microsoft Corporation. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio-help/create-a-floor-plan-HP001208559.aspx. Retrieved 15 October 2010. 
• Parker, David John (2010). Microsoft Visio 2010 Business Process Diagramming. Packt Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84968-014-1. 
• Parker, David John (2007). Visualizing information with Microsoft Office Visio 2007: smart diagrams for business users. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780071482615. 

External links

• Official website

Official resources

• Visio 2010: Visio Viewer
• Office 2010: Product Guides
• Microsoft Visio 2010 for government

Third-party resources

• GraphVizio – A Graphviz addin for Visio
• VisioCafe – Visio Shapes of common IT-Hardware Manufacturers
• Visio Guy – Expert Visio articles, downloads, links and discussion forum
• VSD/VSS Introduction – File formats: Research, Convert, View
• Visio how to and help guide