Importing Connections From Excel

[KristinP]

Hi, I am new to Visio and am attempting to use it to create a block diagram
of connections. That is, I have some boxes identified with certain
connectors on them, and am trying to use Visio to diagram the connections to
the other boxes/connectors. Currently, I have an Excel spreadsheet in the
following format:
From Unit | From Conn1 | From Conn2 | To Unit | To Conn1 | To Conn2
where each "|" denotes a column separation. There is always a From/To Unit
and From/To Conn1, but not always a From/To Conn2 entry.

I'm sure there must be a way to import this information and have Visio
generate a diagram showing the connections, however the Help file in my
version of Visio seems to have been installed improperly, so I can't access
it. Is there a way to do what I'm trying to do? If yes, can someone please
describe the step-by-step procedure for doing so or point me to a website
that has the step-by-step procedure? I do not need the connections to be
"pretty." Simple squares and rectangles with lines in between them will work
just fine.

I am using Visio 2000 SR1 and Excel 2002 SP3. Thanks in advance!

 

[Chris [Visio MVP]]

Visio 2000 may be just old enough to have the "flowchart import" stuff still
included.

Try looking in File > Open or Import or something, I can't remember exactly,
and see if .txt or .cvs is an option. If so, then you have the "import
flowchart" capability. You might also check under Tools > Add-ons, or
something similar.

Then, go to the Program Files > Visio install-directory and try to find a
Samples directory. It seems to me there was a sample .txt file that showed
how to organize a file so that Visio would create a connected drawing on
Open.

 

[KristinP]

Thanks, Chris.
The "Samples" folder does include a template for doing a flowchart, though I
can't seem to get the Import Flowchart Wizard to run (time to talk to my IS
department!).

As a follow-up question, for what I'm doing, would a flowchart be
appropriate, or would another type of Visio design work better? I am working
on a block diagram of boxes, their respective connectors, and the connections
between the boxes and connectors. In effect, it is a top-level harness
design schematic. Is there a better way to do this kind of design in Visio?
I just can't see manually doing it all when each connector will have at least
5 connections going to/coming from it and when it's already laid out in
Excel...

Thanks,
KP

 

[Chris [Visio MVP]]

Since you have Visio 2000, I think the import-text-file option should be
fine, if we can get it working.

Try seeing if there's a".txt" or ".csv" (comma seperated values) option in
the simple, old File > Open dialog. I think that calls the wizard
automatically. I don't have Visio 2000 handy, though.

If that doesn't work, Visio has a really cool automation model that would
allow you to programmatically generate these diagrams from data. It's a bit
of work to get it going, but lots of folks have done it. Visio has VBA
built-in - Visual Basic for Applictions. Hit F11 and, voila! You'll be
inside the editor.

If you upgrade to 2003, you even get a macro recorder, so you can see more
quickly how to code actions that you need to perform.

If you're interested in developing a solution, I have a bag-o-linkes here:
http://www.wanderkind.com/visio/VisLinks.htm. Check under Development Info
for tips about getting started programming Visio.


--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP