Pyromid type chart formating

[acecase]

Hello,
A friend of mine (realy) has asked me to figure out how to create a chart that will start with one box/name and branch off into two more which will in turn branch of into two more etc. etc.

Simple enough exept he needs it to be formatted in a specific way. He needs the lines from each box to go from bottom-right and bottom-left horizontaly then drop down to the next squares in the pyramid.

Also it needs to be expandable later so that he can add new names in the future and if that isn't enough, he needs to be able to print it in landscape format to several pages in order to make a poster size presentation.

I'm sure its one of those things that is simple to do but it takes someone who knows how and together we can't figure it out.

He has at least Word and Excel and most likely has the full office suite. I'm not sure what version but it is a new system so I assume it is 2003.

I hope this is enough information. If not please ask and I will try to answer anything I can.

Following is an ascii represention of what I think he needs..

_____[::::]_____
| |
_____[:::::]___ ___[:::::]_____
| | | |
[:::::] [:::::] [:::] [:::::]


Ok that looks like crap but hopefully it helps show what we are after.

Thank you in advance for any help offerd.

 

[acecase]

Sorry to double post. I don't see a way to edit.
Just want to say, don't pay any attention to the ascii example above. It was badly distorted when posted.

Thanks again.

 

[Lilliabeth]

Hi acecase,

Are you talking about an organization chart?
If so, you can find a tool to create that on the Drawing toolbar in either Word 2003 or Excel 2003.

Look in Help for organization chart.

 

[acecase]

Lilliabeth,
Thank you.
That is what he is looking for neither of us knew what to call it

We had found that tool in Word though and it doesn't do two main things that he needs.
He needs it to be easily extended for more names later and the formating isn't rite with the connecting lines. He needs the lines to come from the bottom/rite and left corners of the superior shape.

With this tool we ran into problems with adjusting the size when we needed more space and a few other small bugs that make it hard to extend.

Thank you though, that IS what we are after.
Have a blessed day

 

[Lilliabeth]

Your difficulties are not "bugs" in the software.

 

[acecase]

rite.
I probably shouldn't have used the word "bugs".
What I should say is limitations. It most likely isn't even that though. I'm sure it is possible to do everything he wants with Word or Excel if someone only knew how.

Thanks again.

 

[SkipVought]

If you use CONNECTOR lines, the lines will move with the boxes.

However, at least in my Office 2000 Suite, the only connector points seem to be the MIDPOINTS of each horizontal and vertical side.

Skip,

_{[red]Be Advised![/red] For those this winter, caught in Arctic-like calamity, be consoled...
Many are cold, but few are frozen!}

 

[Gavona]

If the structure really is as regular as you describe (Each parent having exactly 2 children then it sounds as if it would be quite simple to create in Excel.
Create a block of cells representin the connecting line from the parent and the two children.
Sort out the formatting etc for this block (more later)
Name the range containing this block

A little VBA code to add 2 children to the currently selected parent cell by say moving 4 columns left, 1 down and pasting your named range. Probably with a shortcut key combination.

As for formatting: Assuming that your boxes have multiple rows - eg for post title, postholder name, then use different styles for each row. This will make changing the font or cell shading for, say, all post titles later very easy. Think this through before you start creating the table.


Gavin

 

[xlbo]

Generally easier to move connector lines & boxes around in powerpoint / word than excel

 

[Gavona]

I was envisaging cell borders for the lines. Merging cells as necessary and thinking of the ability to print over multiple pages. Not a perfect solution by a long way.


Gavin

 

[acecase]

Thanks for all the responses.
The only thing we can't acomplish is the format of the lines.
He wanted them to run from bottom corners of master to center of sub.
I have looked at every guide I could find for Office tools and also at other software that does Org. Charts and I don't think it is going to happen.
It seems like that would be a simple option though doesn't it.

Again, thanks for the responses and have a good one.

 

[Lilliabeth]

It seems like that would be a simple option though doesn't it.

I don't think so.

You have specific and unusual requirements for a diagram, and you apparently don't want to have to do any work (actually drawing the thing). That does not sound to me like the job of a word processor. Or a spreadsheet product or a presentation product.

Take a look at Visio.

 

[fumei]

I concur. If this is worth having...use a proper tool. This is NOT a proper use for a word processor. It is NOT a proper use for a spreadsheet. It is NOT a proper use for a presentation application.

It calls for a graphic application designed to do this stuff. Visio works well and will certainly do what you describe, although there are others.

Use the right tool! It makes things much, much better.

Gerry