How to Fix Visio 2019 Showing X Symbols for Visio 2003 Stencils
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where Visio 2019 fails to render stencils from older Visio 2003 files, displaying 'X' symbols instead.
- Product
- Microsoft Visio 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a legacy Visio 2003 file containing older stencils in a newer version of Visio.
- Observed behavior
- Visio displays 'X' symbols instead of the actual stencils, despite the file opening correctly on other computers.
Ensure that you have administrative privileges to modify Trust Center settings in Visio, and keep a backup copy of your original Visio 2003 file before attempting any format conversions.
Unblock Legacy File Formats in Visio Trust Center
Modify your Trust Center settings to allow Visio 2019 to open and render older Visio 2003 files and stencils properly.
By default, newer versions of Visio may block legacy formats like Visio 2003 to enhance security. Adjusting the File Block settings allows these older stencils to render correctly instead of showing X symbols.
Open Microsoft Visio 2019 and click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Visio Options dialog box, click on 'Trust Center' in the left pane, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.
Navigate to 'File Block Settings' in the left menu. Look for Visio 2003 files or stencils in the list.
Ensure the boxes for blocking 'Open' or 'Save' are unchecked for the legacy formats, then click 'OK' to apply the changes and restart Visio.
Convert Visio 2003 File to the Newest Format
Saving the legacy file in the modern Visio format can automatically update the stencils and resolve compatibility errors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Visio 2019 show X symbols for stencils?
This usually happens due to File Block settings in the Trust Center that restrict older Visio 2003 file formats from fully loading, or because the specific legacy stencils are missing or corrupted on the current machine.
Can I open Visio 2003 files in Visio 2019?
Yes, Visio 2019 supports older file formats, but you may need to adjust your Trust Center's File Block Settings to allow Visio 2003 files (.vsd) and stencils (.vss) to open without restrictions.
How do I update missing stencils in Visio 2019?
You can update missing stencils by copying the original .vss files from the working computer to your current 'My Shapes' folder, or by saving the older file as a modern .vsdx format on the working machine before opening it in Visio 2019.
