Auto-layout not giving predicted results

Symptoms

When applying auto-layout to automatically arrange elements on the page, the resulting layout is not what was expected. Subsequent application of auto-layout may re-arrange the page again, but still the layout is not correct.

Cause

The problem is probably that one or more of the Visio shapes has its placement/routing behaviour set incorrectly.

Solution

Unless you know that this behaviour has resulted from the addition of a particular shape, all connected shapes, other than Connectors, may need to be checked.

1. Select a shape.
2. Right click on the shape and select Show ShapeSheet.
3. Scroll to the Miscellaneous section.
4. Ensure the ObjType cell is set to 1.
5. Close the ShapeSheet.
6. When all shapes have been processed, save the file.
7. Close the file (otherwise, the auto-layout behaviour won't change).
8. Re-open the file.
9. Re-apply auto-layout.