Question

In Visio VBA (or COM API)

How can i get a shape without expecting an exception when the shape name is not found?

… in my visio page, there might or might not be a Rectangle Shape with the name “DraftText”.

i want to check that it is there and if yes, do smth.

my code seems like:

Shape waterMarkRect = page.Shapes["DraftText"];
if (waterMarkRect == null)
{
   waterMarkRect = page.DrawRectangle(0, 0, 50, 15);
   waterMarkRect.Name = "DraftText";
   waterMarkRect.NameU = waterMarkRect.Name;
   waterMarkRect.Text = "INCONSISTANT";

   Layer wMarkLayer = page.Layers["WMark"] ?? page.Layers.Add("WMark");
   wMarkLayer.Add(waterMarkRect, 0);
}
...
...

The problem is that, if the shape “DraftText” is not there, i get a COM Exception.

as i am against using try catch block as a coding utility,

i am searching for a way to check for the shape existance prior to taking it such as IDictionary.TryGetValue(, out);

or if(page.Shapes.Contain(“DraftText”))…

Any Ideas?

Answer 1

Using try catch block

Shape waterMarkRect = null;
try { 
    waterMarkRect = page.Shapes["DraftText"];
}
catch (Exception){
}

if (waterMarkRect == null)
{
   waterMarkRect = page.DrawRectangle(0, 0, 50, 15);
   waterMarkRect.Name = "DraftText";
   waterMarkRect.NameU = waterMarkRect.Name;
   waterMarkRect.Text = "INCONSISTANT";

   Layer wMarkLayer = page.Layers["WMark"] ?? page.Layers.Add("WMark");
   wMarkLayer.Add(waterMarkRect, 0);
}