Visio® 2007 Bible

Chapter 10. Linking Shapes with Data

IN THIS CHAPTER

• An overview of Visio 2007 data features

• Storing data in shapes

• Linking shapes and external data with Data Link

• Visualizing data with Data Graphics

• Linking masters to databases

• Creating drawings from database records

• Exporting shape data to databases

There are plenty of Visio drawings that are nothing more than a pretty face—like the attractively formatted diagram that you send to customers to guide them through the maze of your phone menu system. The shapes and connectors say all there is to say.

However, Visio drawings can put brains behind those good looks when you link shapes on Visio drawings with data. Combining shapes with data can be as simple as adding values manually to shape data, for example, when you build a small organization chart by typing employee names and other information in the organization chart shapes. Visio can also link shapes directly with data sources, so your drawings can act as visual and dynamic representations of data stored in data sources. For example, dynamic links between a Visio drawing of rentable office space and a database of facilities management data could generate a visual status report of occupancy and a text report of rental income.

Perhaps the most significant features in Visio 2007 Professional are related to data. Data Link is a new feature that greatly simplifies the process of connecting data sources and the data within them to shapes. When you have data linked to shapes, the new Data Graphics ...