Office Settings & Configuration

How to Hide a SmartArt Node Using VBA or Open XML

WPS Editor Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to hide a specific SmartArt node programmatically using VBA or Open XML, and understand how the SmartArtNode.Hidden property functions.

How to Hide a SmartArt Node Using VBA or Open XML

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to programmatically hide specific nodes within a SmartArt graphic to customize presentations dynamically.
Observed behavior: The SmartArtNode.Hidden property in VBA behaves as read-only, preventing users from hiding standard SmartArt nodes directly through code, and usually returns False.

Before you start

Before modifying your document with macros, ensure it is saved in a macro-enabled format (such as .pptm or .docm) and that you have enabled the Developer tab to access the VBA Editor.

Solution 1Recommended

Applying Visibility Workarounds for SmartArt Nodes via VBA

Since the Hidden property is read-only for standard SmartArt, you must use alternative formatting methods in VBA to make the node invisible, or rely on custom Open XML (GLOX) files.

The SmartArtNode.Hidden property in VBA is explicitly read-only. It is designed to report whether a node is hidden within the underlying SmartArt data model, rather than to allow users to toggle its visibility programmatically.

Standard SmartArt layouts do not expose a reliable VBA method for hiding nodes. However, custom SmartArt created using Open XML (GLOX packages) can support natively hidden nodes, although authoring these complex XML packages requires advanced development skills.

Open the VBA Editor

Press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor and open the module where your SmartArt code is stored.

Check the Hidden Property (Read-Only)

You can use code like 'MsgBox myNode.Hidden' to verify the node's status. It will typically return False. Attempting to assign 'myNode.Hidden = True' will trigger an execution error.

Use Transparent Formatting as a Workaround

Instead of attempting to hide the node via the data model, target the shape format. Set 'myNode.Shapes.Item(1).Fill.Visible = msoFalse' and 'myNode.Shapes.Item(1).Line.Visible = msoFalse' to make the specific node visually transparent on your slide.

Explore Open XML for Custom Layouts

If you require true hidden node functionality, you will need to manually extract the document archive and create a custom GLOX file using Open XML to define a custom SmartArt layout that supports hidden properties.

Applying Visibility Workarounds for SmartArt Nodes via VBA

SmartArt Reset Limitations: Be aware that resetting your SmartArt graphic using the ribbon tools will restore default Microsoft formatting, which may override any transparent formatting workarounds applied via VBA.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the SmartArtNode.Hidden property always return False in VBA?

By default, the Hidden property is read-only and is designed to report the status of a node within the underlying SmartArt data model. In standard built-in SmartArt layouts, nodes are generally not hidden, so querying this property will consistently return False.

Can I format a SmartArt node to be invisible instead of hiding it?

Yes. While you cannot toggle the structural Hidden property, you can write a VBA script to change the node's shape fill color to 'No Fill' and its outline to 'No Line' (using msoFalse for visibility), effectively making it invisible on the page.

What is a GLOX file and how does it relate to SmartArt?

A GLOX file is an Open XML package used specifically to create custom SmartArt graphics. Unlike standard Microsoft SmartArt, custom GLOX files can be programmed to structurally support hidden nodes, though creating them involves complex XML coding.

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