Exporting Graphics from Visio
By: Geetesh Bajaj
March 2nd 2004
February 25th 2009
Introduction
Export to Microsoft Word
Export to Microsoft Excel
Export to Microsoft PowerPoint
Export to Microsoft Publisher
Export to Adobe Illustrator
Export to Adobe InDesign
Export to Adobe PageMaker
Export to Adobe Photoshop
Export to CorelDRAW
Export to Corel PHOTOPAINT
Export to Corel Ventura
Export to Adobe Flash
Export to Adobe Director
Export to Adobe Freehand
Export to Adobe Fireworks
More Info
Introduction
Many a time, you want to export graphics from Visio into your spreadsheet, presentation or document - that's easy since a simple copy and paste does work most of the time. However, it's not that easy to decide how you want to export Visio content to an image editor, page layout program or a drawing application. On this page, we'll explore the easiest ways to export graphics from Visio to various applications.
Export to Microsoft Word
From Visio 2002 or 2003, you can export your drawings to either WMF or EMF formats - EMF will provide more fidelity. In Word, choose Insert | Picture | From File... and choose the WMF/EMF graphic.
You'll find more detailed info at Indezine's Visio and Word page...
Export to Microsoft Excel
Works exactly in the same way as export options to Word. See above...
Export to Microsoft PowerPoint
You can export to a Visio drawing to WMF/EMF. You'll find much more detailed info including ways to animate your Visio content within PowerPoint at Indezine's Visio and PowerPoint page...
Export to Microsoft Publisher
Works exactly in the same way as export options to Word. See above...
Export to Adobe Illustrator
Visio 2002 allows direct AI/EPS export which is Illustrator's native format. Illustrator can also use SVG files that Microsoft Visio 2003 can export. For both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS and SVG may be better alternatives. You can also print to PDF and open the resultant PDF in Illustrator.
Export to Adobe InDesign
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
Export to Adobe PageMaker
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
Export to Adobe Photoshop
This is a somewhat difficult transfer since the only vector format that Photoshop can open is AI/EPS - something that Visio 2002 can indeed export. Visio 2003 users may need to look at bitmap export options like BMP or TIF - or export to WMF/EMF and convert that format to AI/EPS in Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Export to CorelDRAW
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From Visio 2003, you can choose SVG export which newer versions of CorelDRAW can open. For both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS and SVG may be better alternatives.
Export to Corel PHOTOPAINT
PHOTOPAINT can open WMF and EMF files that you can export from Visio 2002 or 2003.
Export to Corel Ventura
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
Export to Adobe Flash
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
Export to Adobe Director
From Visio 2002 or 2003, you can export your drawings to either WMF or EMF formats - EMF will provide more fidelity.
Export to Adobe Freehand
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
Export to Adobe Fireworks
From Visio 2002, you can export to the AI/EPS format. From both Visio 2002 and 2003, you can export to WMF/EMF, but AI/EPS is a better alternative.
More Info
- The Microsoft
Visio homepage is chock-a-block of tips, techniques and support
info. While you are there, you can order a 30-day trial version
of Visio on CD-ROM, which also contains excellent tutorial movies
and case studies.
- The Microsoft
Visio Viewer is a free download which allows you to distribute
your Visio drawings to those who are not equipped with the application.
- Visio MVP John Marshall's site is a treasure trove
of Visio related info - you'll find loads of links to providers of third-party stencils,
templates and drawings as well as tons of pointers to other Visio
related sites.
- Search posts in the Visio newsgroups archive for all sorts of Visio-related information.
