Assistance With Visio 2007 Custom Data Graphic

[Cameron Wells]

Hello People,

I wish to build a Custom Data Graphic that gets displayed as a Data Bar -
similar to the Percent Complete one that is shipped 'out of the box' but for
use with a Gantt Chart Task Bar. But instead of the Data Bar being driven
from 'percent complete' data - its size is driven from 'Start Date' and 'End
Date' data.

I've built a 'static' version of what I need using stuff from the Gantt
Chart ShapeSheet, but would really like to be able to update Tasks,
Milestones, Dates etc dynamically from Excel - just like can be done with the
Data Bar %Complete. I'm not a programmer so any assistance/pointers greatly
appreciated.

Many Thanks
Cam

 

[John Goldsmith]

Hello Cam,

There seems to be a two parts to your question so I'll split up the answer
and you can let me know if I've got the wrong end of the stick:

1) - How to apply Data Graphics to Gantt chart shapes?

I'm not clear on what you to achieve here, but my guess is that you could
add a cell to the Task shape that would contain the calculated result of
your Start/End Date equation and then based the Data Graphic on that. For
extra information on creating custom Data Graphics check out:
http://blogs.msdn.com/visio/archive/2007/06/01/make-your-own-data-graphic-data-bars.aspx

2) - How do I dynamically link a Gantt Chart to Excel?

There are two primary methods for linking Visio to the outside world. The
first (as you're using 2007 Pro), which would be my recommendation is "Link
Data to Shapes". This enables you to create shapes linked to a data source
such Excel using a one way connection (changes made in Excel can be
reflected in Visio, but not the other way round). Check out this link:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC101977211033&pid=CH102262071033

The second method is the "Database Wizard" (Tools/Addons/Visio Extras).
This takes a little more learning but is the way to go if you need to create
a two-way connection that "syncs" in both directions. If you need more
details on this second method then check out:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio/HP850505671033.aspx

Best regards

John


John Goldsmith
www.visualSignals.co.uk

 

[Cameron Wells]

Hi John,

thanks for the quick reply. I'll work through the
'make-your-own-graphic-data-bars' tutorial ASAP, but just to try to
re-explain my need:

The Gantt Chart Task Bar Shape is essentially a coloured rectangle 5mm x 25mm
that has a bunch of data associated with it (Task Name, Start Date, End
Date, % Complete and so forth) by default.

What I need to be able to do is to update the data that sits behind the
shape via Excel (I can do that) *&* have the Task Bar Shape itself change
horizontal size and location against the Gantt Chart (calendar month grid) as
a function of Task Start Date & End Date (I can't do).

The 'Data Bar % Complete Data Graphic is pretty close to what I wish to do,
just that instead of using the % complete to control the horizontal size, I
want to use the Start Date and End Date.