Convert VST to VSSX

Understanding VST and VSSX file formats

VST files are Microsoft Visio Template files, used to create new diagrams with predefined settings, shapes, and layouts in older versions of Visio (prior to Visio 2013). The VST format is binary-based and was replaced by the VSTX format in newer Visio versions.

VSSX files are Microsoft Visio Stencil files, introduced with Visio 2013 and later. They store collections of shapes (stencils) that can be used across multiple diagrams. VSSX files use the Open XML format, making them more compatible and accessible than their binary predecessors.

Can you convert VST to VSSX?

Directly converting a VST (template) file to a VSSX (stencil) file is not a standard operation, as they serve different purposes in Visio. However, you can extract shapes from a VST file and save them as a VSSX stencil using Microsoft Visio.

How to extract shapes from VST and save as VSSX in Microsoft Visio

1. Open your VST file in Microsoft Visio (Visio 2013 or later recommended).
2. Identify and select the shapes you want to save as a stencil.
3. Drag the selected shapes into a new stencil window (open via More Shapes → New Stencil (Visio)).
4. After adding all desired shapes, save the stencil by clicking File → Save As.
5. Choose VSSX as the file type and provide a name for your stencil.

Best software for VST to VSSX conversion

The most reliable tool for this process is Microsoft Visio 2013 or later. No third-party converter can directly transform a VST template into a VSSX stencil, as the process requires manual extraction of shapes and saving them in the new format.

Summary

While VST and VSSX files serve different roles in Visio, you can manually extract shapes from a VST template and save them as a VSSX stencil using Microsoft Visio. This ensures compatibility with newer Visio versions and allows you to reuse your custom shapes efficiently.