Exporting Graphics from Visio

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.

Back

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.

Back

Export to Microsoft Excel

Works exactly in the same way as export options to Word. See above.

Back

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.

Back

Export to Microsoft Publisher

Works exactly in the same way as export options to Word. See above.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

Export to Corel PHOTOPAINT

PHOTOPAINT can open WMF and EMF files that you can export from Visio 2002 or 2003.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back

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.

Back