Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Visio Number Shapes Add-In Not Opening a Dialog Box

Ayan Masood Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the functionality of the Number Shapes add-on in Visio, which currently fails to open its dialog box or generate shapes.

How to Fix Visio Number Shapes Add-In Not Opening a Dialog Box

Product: Microsoft Visio Professional 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to use the Number Shapes add-in to auto-number diagram elements.
Observed behavior: The dialog box for the Number Shapes add-on does not appear, and no number shapes are generated, even after performing an Office online repair.

Before you start

Ensure that you have administrative privileges on your computer, as changing Trust Center settings or modifying macro security configurations may require admin rights.

Solution 1Recommended

Unblock Add-ins via Visio Trust Center Settings

Modifying the Trust Center settings can resolve issues where Visio security policies automatically block third-party or built-in add-ins from running.

Often, Microsoft Office's built-in security protocols will restrict add-ins from opening dialogue boxes or executing scripts to protect your device. Adjusting these settings directly in the Trust Center is the most effective way to restore add-in functionality.

Access Visio Options

Open Microsoft Visio, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and then select 'Options' from the bottom of the menu.

Open Trust Center Settings

In the Visio Options window, navigate to 'Trust Center' on the left pane and click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.

Clear Add-in Restrictions

Select 'Add-ins' from the left menu and clear any checked options that might restrict or disable add-ins (such as 'Require Application Add-ins to be signed by Trusted Publisher' if applicable).

Restart Microsoft Visio

Click 'OK' to apply the changes, then completely close and restart Visio to see if the Number Shapes dialog box now opens.

Unblock Add-ins via Visio Trust Center Settings

Testing the Add-in: Always test the add-in in a brand-new, blank diagram after changing Trust Center settings to rule out file-specific corruption.

Solution 2

Check Disabled Items and Macro Security

Visio may have hard-disabled the add-in due to a previous crash, or organizational macro security policies might be blocking its execution.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Visio add-in disabled automatically?

Visio often disables add-ins automatically if they cause the application to crash, load too slowly, or violate macro security policies. You can re-enable them by going to File > Options > Add-ins, selecting 'Disabled Items' in the Manage dropdown, and clicking 'Go'.

What should I do if an Office Online Repair didn't fix the Visio add-in?

If an Online Repair fails to resolve the issue, the problem is likely related to your specific Trust Center security policies or a restricted add-in registry key. Checking your Add-in and Macro settings in the Trust Center is the best next step.

Can I use the Number Shapes add-in on Visio for the web?

No, advanced COM add-ins like Number Shapes are generally only supported on the desktop versions of Microsoft Visio (such as Visio Professional 2021). Visio for the web supports basic diagramming but lacks full add-in execution capabilities.

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