Visualizing Information with Microsoft® Office Visio® 2007

Visualizing Information with Microsoft® Office Visio® 2007

by David Parker
Released June 2007
Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9780071511117

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Create and distribute data-connected Microsoft Office Visio diagrams and reports

Get full details on the powerful features of Microsoft Office Visio 2007 inside this comprehensive volume. Written by Visio expert David Parker, Visualizing Information with Microsoft Office Visio 2007 demonstrates how to effectively visualize, explore, and communicate complex business information. Learn to use PivotDiagrams, Data Graphics, and Smart Tags, as well as link data to shapes and create meaningful Visio documents and reports. Plus, you'll get vital security information, time-saving tips, troubleshooting techniques, and downloadable macros and code samples.

Essential Skills for Database Users and Professionals

  • Create shapes and link them to data
  • Summarize and analyze information using PivotDiagrams
  • Use Data Graphics, Smart Tags, and SmartShapes to reinforce information
  • Generate robust Excel, HTML, and XML reports
  • Create custom, reusable templates, stencils, and masters
  • Update and enhance diagrams with Reviewer's comments and markups
  • Integrate Visio diagrams with other Windows applications
  • Publish and securely distribute Visio documents and summaries
  • Extend functionality using VBA macros, add-ins, and wrapper applications

Table of contents

  1. Cover 
  2. Copyright
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Author
  5. Contents 
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Chapter 1. Review of Basics
    1. The Visio Installation
    2. Different Editions of Microsoft Visio
    3. The User Interface
      1. Selecting a Drawing Category
      2. Menus and Toolbars
      3. Anchor Windows
      4. Task Pane
      5. The ShapeSheet Window
    4. Types of Visio Documents
      1. File Types
      2. File Formats
      3. Document Properties
    5. Types of Visio Pages
      1. Foreground Pages
      2. Background Pages
      3. Markup Pages
    6. Mastering Visio Shapes
      1. Using Master Shapes
      2. Connecting Shapes
      3. Shapes Without a Master
    7. To Scale or Not to Scale
    8. Layering Information
    9. Outputs from Visio
  8. Chapter 2. Shape Data and User-Defined Cells
    1. Creating Shape Data
      1. Shape Data Cells
      2. Shape Data Types
      3. Templates and Add-Ons That Create Shape Data Rows Automatically
      4. Reviewing Existing Shape Data
      5. Creating Shape Data Rows Manually
      6. Creating Shape Data Rows Automatically
    2. User-Defined Cells for Data
    3. Using ShapeSheet Formulae
      1. Respecting Themes
      2. Making Read-Only Shape Data Rows
      3. Creating Calculated Values
    4. Creating Intershape References
      1. Shapes to Edit Document Level Variables
      2. Automatically Creating Page Shape Data
      3. Rolling Up Values
      4. Group Shape References
      5. Inter-Page Shape References
    5. Right-Mouse Menu Items from Shape Data Lists
  9. Chapter 3. Linking Data to Shapes
    1. Creating Linked Data
      1. Link Data Manually
      2. Column Settings
      3. Filtering Rows
      4. Link Data Automatically
      5. Merging Data from Other Sources
      6. Navigating to/from Linked Data
      7. Refreshing the Data
      8. Creating Data Connections in Code
      9. Linking XML Data
      10. Refreshing XML Data
      11. Link Data Legends
    2. Labeling Shapes from Shape Data
      1. Using Data Graphics to Update Labels
      2. Label Shapes Add-In
      3. Custom Callouts
      4. Manually Editing Associated Text Blocks
    3. Enhancing Shapes with Color, Icons, and Data Bars
      1. Setting Color to Shape Data Values
      2. Predefining Fills in a Database
      3. Space Plan—Color By Value
      4. Data Graphics—Color By Value
      5. Data Graphic Icons Sets
      6. Data Graphic Data Bars
  10. Chapter 4. Connecting Items to Each Other
    1. Making Shapes Connectable
      1. 2-D Shape Options
      2. 1-D Shape Options
    2. Layout and Routing Styles
      1. Spacing out Connections for Clarity
    3. Manual Methods of Connecting Shapes
      1. Drag-and-Drop
      2. AutoConnect
      3. Connector Tool
      4. Connect Shapes
      5. Using Controls to Connect
    4. Automating Connections
      1. Finding Shapes by Shape Data
      2. Connecting Between Found Shapes
    5. Ideas for Enhancing Connectors
      1. Adding Hyperlinks to Connectors
      2. Updating Connection Point Labels
      3. Displaying Duplex Data
    6. Reading Connections
      1. Updating Network Rack Connections
      2. Updating Process Connectors
  11. Chapter 5. Summarizing Information with PivotDiagrams
    1. Creating a PivotDiagram
      1. Enhancing the Default Data Graphics
      2. PivotDiagram Options
      3. Breaking Down the PivotDiagram
      4. Applying Shapes
      5. Adding Link Data
      6. Merging Data
      7. Duplicating Data Graphics
    2. PivotDiagram Masters
      1. Pivot Title
      2. Pivot Info (Data Legend)
      3. Pivot Node
      4. Pivot Connector
      5. Pivot Breakdown
    3. Making Selections
      1. Recognizing a Pivot Shape
      2. Getting the Breakdown ID
      3. Selecting Shapes in the Same Group
      4. Selecting Shapes with the Same Breakdown
  12. Chapter 6. Database Wizard
    1. The Database Wizard or Link Data?
    2. Linking to a Database Table
      1. Updating a Database Table
      2. Making the Department Linked Master
      3. Creating a Linked Drawing to Update the Database
      4. Inserting Records into a Database
      5. Reviewing Records Deleted from a Database Table
      6. Deleting Records in a Database Table
      7. Refreshing from a View
      8. Customizing the Database Refresh
  13. Chapter 7. Using Data Graphics to Reinforce Information
    1. The Default Data Graphic Callouts
      1. Text Callouts
      2. Data Bars
      3. Icon Sets
    2. Creating Custom Callouts
      1. Minimize Use of Group Shapes
      2. Precreate Data Graphic User-Defined Cells
      3. General Editing Techniques
      4. Text Callouts
      5. Data Bar Callouts
      6. Icon Sets Callouts
    3. Distributing Custom Data Graphic Callouts
    4. Changing the Data Graphics Layer Properties
    5. Recognizing Which Data Graphic
      1. Code Listing for ShowDataGraphic
    6. Assigning Data Graphics Automatically
      1. Code Listing for AddDataGraphic
      2. Code Listing for RemoveDataGraphic
  14. Chapter 8. Using Smart Tags and Actions
    1. Smart Tags and Actions
      1. Anatomy of a Smart Tag
      2. Anatomy of an Action
      3. Button Faces
      4. A Smart Tags SmartShape
    2. Using Actions to Change Shape Data
      1. Matching Button Faces and Icon Sets
      2. Automating Smart Tags for Icon Sets
  15. Chapter 9. Creating Reports
    1. Report Definition Wizard
      1. Excel Report
      2. HTML Report
      3. Visio Shape Report
      4. XML Report
      5. Creating Report Definitions with the Wizard
    2. Enhancing the Reports
      1. Changing Displayed Column Headers
      2. Creating a Variable Embedded Report
      3. Using the Advanced Filters
      4. Adding SelectReportShapes to Embedded Reports
    3. The Built-In Reports
  16. Chapter 10. Themes, Backgrounds, Borders, and Titles
    1. Themes
      1. Built-In Color Themes
      2. Built-In Effect Themes
      3. Custom Color Themes
      4. Custom Effect Themes
      5. Using Custom Themes
      6. Displaying the Current Themes
      7. Applying Themes in Code
    2. Backgrounds
      1. Built-In Backgrounds
      2. Custom Backgrounds
    3. Borders and Titles
      1. Built-In Borders and Titles
      2. Custom Borders and Titles
    4. Table of Contents
      1. Code Listing for TableOfContents
  17. Chapter 11. Creating Custom Templates, Stencils, and Masters
    1. Stencils and Masters
      1. Master Icons
      2. Preparing the Master Shape
      3. Stencil Names
      4. Stencil File Paths
    2. Templates
      1. Preparing the Template
      2. Template Names
      3. Template File Paths
      4. Custom Dynamic Connector
      5. Creating a Preview Image
    3. Publishing Templates and Stencils
      1. Using File Paths
      2. Creating an Installation
  18. Chapter 12. Reviewers’ Comments
    1. Annotation Without Comments
    2. Comments and Reviewer’s Markup
      1. Behind the Scenes of Markup
      2. Listing Page Reviewers
    3. Printing Reviewer’s Markup
      1. The Annotation Marker Master
      2. The AddAnnotationMarkers Code
      3. Reporting on Reviewer’s Markup
  19. Chapter 13. Preparing for Publication
    1. Printing
      1. Headers and Footers
      2. XML Paper Specification (XPS)
      3. Portable Document Format (PDF)
      4. Microsoft Document Imaging Format (MDI)
      5. Just as an Image
    2. Viewing as Web Pages
      1. Enhancing Hyperlinks
    3. Automating the Export
      1. Code Listing for CreateDocWebPages
    4. Using the Visio Viewer
      1. Sample Windows Forms Wrapper for the Visio Viewer
  20. Chapter 14. Using Code to Enhance Functionality
    1. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
      1. Code Listing for ToggleLayer Recorded Macro
      2. Editing a Recorded Macro
      3. Running a VBA Subfunction from a Shape
    2. VSTO Add-Ins
      1. Code Listing for ThisAddin.vb
      2. Code Listing for ToggleLayer.vb
      3. Enabling the Shape to Call the Add-In
    3. COM Add-Ins
    4. Add-Ons
    5. Wrapper Applications
  21. Chapter 15. Document Management and Security
    1. Restricting Access to Contained Data and Graphics
      1. Removing Sensitive Information
      2. Prevent Idle Edits
    2. SharePoint Integration for Document Control
  22. Chapter 16. Scenarios
    1. Floor Layouts
      1. Space Usage
      2. Personnel Locations
      3. Equipment Inventory
    2. Organization Chart
      1. Hierarchical Relationships
      2. Merging Cost Data and Roll-up
    3. IT System Diagrams
    4. Process Diagram
    5. Operational Risk
    6. Work Breakdown Structure
  23. Chapter 17. Epilogue
  24. Appendix
    1. Schema Extract
    2. Upsize the Visio Sample Database
  25. Index

Product information

  • Title: Visualizing Information with Microsoft® Office Visio® 2007
  • Author(s): David Parker
  • Release date: June 2007
  • Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
  • ISBN: 9780071511117