iGrafx also allows you to link diagram shapes to non-iGrafx (External) repository files. For example, a shape may represent an activity that is explained by a Word document detailing the procedure. If a user viewing the diagram wants to read the procedure, they follow a link on the shape to display the document.
Both Client-authored and web-authored diagram shapes can link to external files stored in a repository.
See Adding non-iGrafx (External) Files to a Repository for instructions for adding supporting documents to a repository.
To link a Client-authored diagram shape to an external repository file:
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Open or check out an iGrafx document with a Client (e.g. iGrafx FlowCharter)
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Select any shape or text element in a diagram that can have a link
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Choose the Insert menu (Standard toolbar) and then choose Link
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In the left frame, choose Repository Link
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Using the Repository Tree, navigate to the location of the applicable Web Address object and select it
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Click OK
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Add or check-in the document to the repository
Some additional link options are available for specifying the link behavior when a Client diagram is viewed by a Client tool. These options do not modify the link behavior when the diagram is viewed in the repository via browser.
After Step 5 above:
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Specify a Description. This sets the menu name for the link when a shape is right-clicked
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Select a Key Modifier by pressing Shift, Ctrl, or Alt key. For example, if Shift is entered, then a Client user can hold the Shift key and double-click the shape to open the linked document.
To link a Web-authored diagram shape to an external repository file:
Link a web diagram shape to a repository file:
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Right-click a web diagram shape and choose Add Link to Shape
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In the Link to setting, leave Repository Object selected
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Click CONTINUE
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In the Path field, type the (partial) name of any Word document stored in your repository. For example, if the repository contained a document named "Perform Task Two Instructions.docx", then typing "Perform" in the Path field will display the document name. Alternatively, you can click the Search icon to find the desired document.
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Click a document
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For example, if "Perform Task Two Instructions.docx" is clicked then the Path appears this way:
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Click FINISH
The shape is displayed with a Link icon
To link web-authored diagram text to an external repository file:
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With a browser, in the repository tree, select a web diagram
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If the diagram is not displayed in the right frame then click the DIAGRAM tab
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If the diagram is not checked out, click File and then click Check Out
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Click a shape or text element once and then click it again
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Select one or more text characters as show below:
Original Shape
After Selecting Text
After CREATE LINK
(step 9 below)
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Click the Link icon
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Click Repository Object and click CHOOSE
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In the Choose Object dialog, you can:
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Type the name of an existing external file in the Search field and select it when found
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Click the Search button
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Click the Show Tree switch, expand folders, and select an external file object
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Click CREATE LINK
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Click outside the selected shape
To navigate a shape or text link with a browser
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For a Client-authored diagram shape linked to an external file, click the linked shape
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For a web-authored diagram shape linked to an external file:
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Click the icon adjacent to the shape
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Click a document name (there can be more than one document link on a shape)
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Click VIEW FILE
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To close the viewing pane, click outside it
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For a web-authored diagram text linked to an external file, click the linked shape text
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