Paste link using Excel - Linking Excel and Visio

[Will1234]

Hello, I have a question about linking Excel to Visio-

In our business, we create spreadsheets in Excel first, then we use
summarized Data in Excel to show how all the numbers fit together in a Visio
Chart(we put the numbers in the shapes in Visio). The problem is that every
time the numbers change in Excel, I have to manually go and change every
shape that has a number in it in Visio! This is not working efficiently!

I am aware of the 'Paste Link" function, but that looks unprofessional when
you can't control the formatting and alignment, as well as the box around the
number so that really isnt do-able.

How come I can do this in Word, "paste link as formatted text RTF" in shape
objects, but cannot do this in Visio?

I'm torn between trying to create my charts now in Word or Visio,
integrating the numbers in the charts and having them linked to my Excel
files is very important. Visio is the better program for charts, but Word is
able to link to the data? Any Suggestions? Any help?! I can't believe
no-one else has had to do this before!!

Thanks,

 

[Chris Roth [ Visio MVP ]]

Visio has a database wizard that lets you link cells in Visio shapes (like
Properties) to data fields, among which, can be Excel data. You might try
that first.

If that doesn't cut it, it is possible to develop custom solutions and
automate the process. You could puta button in Excel that says "Make Visio
Chart", and the automation could start Visio, drop the right shapes, and
push the numbers from Excel to the Visio shapes.

--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP