Organization Chart

[Cinna]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel Hi,
If I use Smart art in Word to create a organization chart and I have a 11 boxes for the second level. How can I move some of the boxes so their lines are on the second level but the boxes is on the "next" level?

 

[John McGhie]

SmartArt isn't that smart...

You would need to draw this structure yourself, using the lines and boxes
and text boxes in the Drawing toolbar.

SmartArt won't do this (and logically, it shouldn't, because you cannot
logically have missing levels in an org chart). In a Normal org chart, you
would show the missing second-level position as "Unfilled" or "To be hired"
or some such.

Hope this helps

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel
Hi,
If I use Smart art in Word to create a organization chart and I have a 11
boxes for the second level. How can I move some of the boxes so their lines
are on the second level but the boxes is on the "next" level?

This email is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless you intend to pay!

 

[Rob Schneider]

Further to what John said, I would recommend you not try to use Word to
draw an org chart. Is it theoretically possible? Probably. But too
complicated. Use: PowerPoint or perhaps something like OmniGraffle (my
favorite). Or pen and paper and scan the drawing into a file to insert
into the Word doc.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Cinna]

Thanks for the answer. One more question. If I do the chart using lines and boxes, can I arrange them to one picture?
Cinna

 

[Cinna]

Thanks for that, maybe I will try to use pen and pencil.
Cinna

 

[John McGhie]

Yes, you can.

When you have finished drawing your picture, click "Select Objects" on the
Drawing toolbar, then drag over your whole picture so all the bits are
selected. Then right-click one of them and choose "Group". That welds them
together as a single object.

But before you do that, try this:

Insert>Object... And choose "Microsoft Organisation Chart".

That starts a little supplementary application named "Microsoft Office
Organisation Chart" which produces a "real" Org Chart. Because it is
dedicated to just this purpose, I find it a lot easier to use that the "Not
Very Smart Art".

If neither of these work for you, try Insert>Object>Microsoft Word Document.
That opens a new document embedded within the current document. Anything
you draw in there will automatically remain together as a single picture.
Close the document to get back to the main document.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the answer. One more question. If I do the chart using lines and
boxes, can I arrange them to one picture?
Cinna

This email is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless you intend to pay!

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, I'm going to come from a somewhat different perspective than the other
responses you've received Diametrically opposite one might say...

The shapes in a Smart Art diagram can be repositioned in any way you like by
either of 2 methods: 1) drag them by their edge, or 2) click the shape's
edge then use the arrow keys to 'nudge' it in the direction you want it to
go (hold Command while nudging to move it in smaller increments).

The down side is that you cannot move the connecting lines yourself. They
will realign automatically based on the altered position of the shapes they
connect. If your intent is no more drastic than what you've described & you
are in fact using the Organization Chart from the Hierarchy group you may
very well be able to achieve your objective.

Re using the Flowchart symbols & other shapes to create your own Org chart,
it's nowhere near as problematic as some would have you believe -- as long
as your needs fall within the scope of what the tools are intended to
provide. There are certainly some limitations when compared to programs
designed for the purpose, but decent diagrams can definitely be created
using the tools. It just seems to be human nature that when we're given a
free can opener we bitch because it won't get us into bank vaults

I would suggest, however, that you use PPT or Excel which include Connectors
that were omitted from Word's battery of Shape tools. Once completed, select
all components of the diagram & use the Group command, then copy & paste
into the Word document. Be sure to save the file you create it in so you can
revise as necessary -- the pasted copy will not be editable.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac