Linking a Visio shape to an Excel data cell

B

Billie Phillips

I am more than new to Visio. I am making timelines that will show various
stages of a product. I have created cylindrical timelines, and I can import
my Excel data.

Is there a way for me to link various cells types (Beta 1, Beta 2) to Visio
shapes so that instead of a date the shape will be shown on the timeline?
That is, can I configure Visio so that every Beta 1 automatically displays as
a timeline square and every Beta 1 automatically displays as a timeline
diamond? (And if so, how?)

Thanks~
 
A

AlEdlund

First of all shapes are positioned horizontally on the timeline by date, so
it has to be part of your solution. It would probably require the creation
of a custom shape(s), and of course custom code (since the addin doesn't
know about your shapes).
al
 
B

Billie Phillips

Uh ... was I supposed to "add" something in?

It does sound as though the answer is, no -- unless I'm a coding expert.

Thanks~
 
A

AlEdlund

What you're attempting to do goes beyond the normal function of the addin
and will require some coding expertise, yes,
sorry,
al

Billie Phillips said:
Uh ... was I supposed to "add" something in?

It does sound as though the answer is, no -- unless I'm a coding expert.

Thanks~
 
W

WapperDude

By "addin", Al is referring to the functionality that was "added in" to
achieve all of the timeline features. It is the power behind the scenes.
But, it also means that it is somewhat inflexible and intolerant (i.e., it'll
clobber a lot of attempts to customization).

So, what you are attempting to do is to show product development on the
timeline by a.) using different shapes to represent different stages of
development, and b.) their position on the timeline as to when these
progressions take place.

Is this correct?

Wapperdude
 
W

WapperDude

Assuming this is your intent, and assuming that you have figured out how to
call and place the shapes on the time line, then, you approach might be:
1.) Place your shapes on the timeline and manually configure them: Beta1,
Beta2. This can go into the Task Name property of the shape. Either just
double click the shape or right click and select configure. You can change
color, etc.
2.) Hide the date, although not sure I would, (it adds specific detail as
to when), double click the date entry and set the font to white to hide it.
3.) Open a new stencil. Drag your shapes to the new stencil. Name them as
you desire.
4.) Now when you want to place a shape on the timeline, referred to your
custom stencil shapes rather than the default shapes.

HTH
Wapperdude
 

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