Access or Excel if You're Doing Lots of Charts

[Takeadoe]

I'm doubtful that the group is unbiased, but I will ask anyhow ). If
one intends to plot lots of data, primarily XY line and scatter plots,
and mass produce them (in many cases I will be doing 88 graphs at a
time - 1 for each of 88 counties), will Exel be the best bet, or is
Access equally capable? I might mention that in time, I will be moving
all of my data into Access databases. I'm slowing learning charting
and automation in Excel, and I'd hate to spend much more time here if
it is going to be easier to work in Access. Any and all
comments/thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

Regards,


Mike

 

[Ed Ferrero]

Hi Mike,

I suppose it depends on how you want to output the graphs - files, prints,
send to Power Point etc.

Excel has a more flexible charting engine than Access IMHO, but both can do
x-y charts.

My own preference is to use Access to store lots of data, but to use Excel
for reporting and charting. It is easy enough to link Access data to Excel
so - use both.

Take a look at http://www.edferrero.com/charting.aspx and download 'Multiple
Chart Builder' This shows how to use one chart to build multiple charts
based on each row of a worksheet and to output each chart as gif files which
are then ready to incorporate into a report.

Ed Ferrero
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.edferrero.com

 

[Takeadoe]

Ed - So far, everyone is in agreement - store data in Acess and chart
in Excel. Thank you for taking time to help and also for sending the
link to your charting examples. Some of those were pretty slick. On
my way in this morning I was wondering if it was possible to put a
chart within a chart - actually place 3 scatter charts on a single page
(paper in portrait mode). Perhaps the graph with the pie charts
"embedded" within the scatter plot might be a place to start.

Thanks and have a great day.

Regards,

Mike

 

[Ed Ferrero]

Hi Mike,

Certainly possible. I use that technique a lot. Check out the 'Map Charts'
samples on my web site.

Ed Ferrero

 

[Takeadoe]

Ed - I'll take a look. Thanks again for your help.

Mike