VML ShapeType Element

This topic describes VML, a feature that is deprecated as of Windows Internet Explorer 9. Webpages and applications that rely on VML should be migrated to SVG or other widely supported standards.

Note

As of December 2011, this topic has been archived. As a result, it is no longer actively maintained. For more information, see Archived Content. For information, recommendations, and guidance regarding the current version of Windows Internet Explorer, see Internet Explorer Developer Center.

 

Defines a shape that can be used to create other shapes.

The following attribute modifies a ShapeType.

Attribute	Description
Master	Determines whether a ShapeType is a master element.

 

Remarks

ShapeType is identical to the Shape element except it cannot reference another ShapeType element.

When a Shape element makes reference to a ShapeType, the Shape may duplicate some of the properties that have already been specified in the ShapeType. In these cases, the attributes in the Shape override those of the ShapeType.

The Type attribute may not be used with ShapeType.

CSS positioning attributes (such as Top, Left, etc.) are not passed to a Shape from a ShapeType.

To use this element, create a ShapeType with a specific ID attribute. Then create a Shape and reference the ShapeType with the Type attribute. See the Type attribute for more information.