CREATING AN ORG CHART USING WIZARD

[Judi]

Good morning,

I am completely new to Visio (and, sadly, I'm using 2000). I was trying to
properly set up my data sheet to create an org chart using the Wizard, but I
keep getting error messages.

So, here are some questions, and maybe you can help me figure out what I'm
doing wrong? FYI ~ I'm using Office 2007, but I've saved my Excel file as a
97-2003 .xls file.

- Under "Choose the columns (fields) in your data file that contain the
information that defines the organization." is the NAME column supposed to be
the unique identifier? I have duplicate names, but I have a "Badge #" column
that is unique.


- "What to display on the shapes:" -- is there something specific it
requests? In 'First Line" I have chosen 'First Name' and I have left 'Second
Line' as 'none.'

- I have chosen my custom property fields as Last Name, First Name, Phone
and Office.


- Then I get click next and get this error:
"Invalid data: John Smith. Make sure each value in the "reports to" column
(field) refer to a valid entry in another field." I left the "reports to"
field blank for John Smith, because he should be the top of the Org Chart.
What did I do wrong there?

I know this shouldn't be this difficult. Can you help?

Thank you!

~Judi

 

[Chris Roth [Visio MVP]]

Hi Judi,

Each org-shape needs to be identified uniquely, so maybe Badge # would
be your best bet. Also, make sure that somebody "reports to" nobody, so
Visio will know that this is the "top-dog".

Visio shapes have "Shape Data" fields that they can carry around, but
don't have to display. So the wizard is asking you if you want to stuff
a bunch of org-data from Excel into the shape, but only show a few of
the fields.

The "hidden" fields can be seen via View > Shape Data Window, by the way.


--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP


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