Visio Features

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Visio web and desktop apps allow users to create and edit diagrams from the browser or desktop and save in the cloud. Microsoft 365 customers can view, print, and share diagrams and insert comments on the go. Visio users can use rich features, such as those described in the following sections.

Apply rich formatting to text and shapes

Editing features, such as more colors, gradients, effects, and styles, are available in Visio for the web, as well as in the desktop application. You can also add a text box or choose from a gallery of shapes and apply styles, which define fill, outline, and shadow effects.

Arrange objects

You can move, resize, rotate, flip, or order shapes and text boxes, and you can ungroup shapes to work with them individually.

Build mashup solutions

The Visio JavaScript Mashup API lets developers access and manipulate a Visio web diagram, its pages, and its shapes.

Create diagrams

You can easily create diagrams in Visio and save them in SharePoint or OneDrive for Business. You can then share them with others.

Cut, copy, and paste

Cut, copy, and paste features are available in Visio. You can use these features to move or remove shapes and text within a diagram.

Edit diagrams

Visio includes rich editing capabilities, which you can use to make changes to your diagram. You can also modify your diagram's design with a variety of theme colors and layouts.

Embed diagram in a SharePoint, web, or blog page

You can use Visio for the web to insert a Visio diagram (created in the Visio desktop application) on a SharePoint, web, or blog page. For more information, see Visio for the web: frequently asked questions.

Find

In Visio for the web, you can search for every occurrence of a word, number, or phrase on the page by selecting More (the ellipses button) and then selecting Find (or press Ctrl+F). Results appear next to your diagram. Visio will search in shape names, shape text, shape data, and user-defined cells.

Font formatting

You can change the font, font size, and other font appearance attributes (such as bold, italics, superscript, or underlining) in Visio for the web.

In Visio for the web, you can directly access hyperlinks by selecting the shape.

In Visio for the web, you can go to other pages by selecting the tabs in the lower left.

Office add-ins

Office add-ins are available in Visio for desktop but not yet available in Visio for the web.

Offline viewing

Not available in Visio for the web. Microsoft 365 for the web requires an Internet connection and an Internet browser. You need the Visio desktop application installed on your computer to view and edit a diagram while disconnected from the Internet or from your organization's on-premises Office Web Apps Server. If you have the Visio desktop application installed, you can use the full functionality of Visio to view and edit your diagram offline. When you save, the online diagram is updated with your changes. You can also download and save an offline copy of your diagram, but it will not be in sync with the online version. To learn more about Office Web Apps Server, see Office Web Apps Server.

You can print to PDF or printers with Visio for the web.

Proofing tools

Proofing tools such as check spelling, translation, and custom dictionaries are not available in Visio for the web. However, an accessibility checker and alt text descriptions are available.

Real-time co-authoring

With Visio for the web, you can view, add, or delete comments.

Save As or Download a copy

Visio for the web allows you to use Save As or download a copy of your diagram, but you must have the Visio desktop application to edit a local copy.

Share a diagram

If your diagram is saved in a SharePoint document library or in OneDrive for Business, then your diagram is online and you can share it by sending a link instead of an email attachment. People with appropriate permissions can view it in a web browser or mobile device. Just select Share in the upper-right. We recommend sharing a link to avoid creating duplicate data-connected diagrams.

Tell Me

The Tell Me feature is not available in Visio for the web. In the Visio desktop application, you can use the Tell Me search feature to quickly find help with a task you want to perform.

Undo and Redo

The Undo and Redo features are available in Visio for the web.

View and add comments

In Visio for the web, you can collaborate with others by viewing, adding, and responding to comments in your diagram.

View shape data

You can use Visio for the web to see the metadata for a diagram: just select the shape and then select Shape Info.

View Visio files in the browser

Because your Visio diagram is saved online, you can send a link to it. People can then view it in any browser. They do not need to have the Visio desktop application installed or a Visio license to view a diagram in the browser.

Zoom

Visio for the web includes a slider that lets you zoom in and out. Also, you can use the Pan & Zoom feature to zoom in on a region of the diagram.