Our group is assessing various Org Charting software. Can someone tell me if
the following is possible in Visio and if so provide a quick outline of what
would have to be done?

We have multiple users that need to create Org Charts using the same format,
including a legend. The data will be retrieved via an ODBC connection (we
have this part functioning with the trial version). Is there a way, when the
data is being loaded, to use a customized Org Chart wizard or template? I
see how to apply a custom template when manually creating a new chart, but is
there a way to apply it when automatically bringing in data? We have seen
another product where we bring the data in, then apply a template and it then
brings in the legend, formats the data in each box and applies formulas to
display certain data using images or coloring to the box. Is this possible
using Visio? Having to program something is fine also, as long as we can get
some direction that it could be done and what would need to be programmed.
Thanks in advance for any information!
--
Liz

You can create a new template based on the existing Organization Chart
template to customize the look / feel of your drawings (Themes, etc.).
Simply open the existing template directly and save to a new location/name.
Then you can include your own shapes and page setups, logos, etc.

The legend and other 'built-in' pieces can be driven by data that you link
using VBA code or manual methods, or can be derived from the imported
organization data. You can use Data Graphics (in Visio 2007) to
expose/display your desired data. If you use Visio 2003, the older "Color
By Value" wizard will allow simple color functionality, not as powerful as
Data Graphics, but functional.

I would suggest not editing the built-in template or stencils, as the
Installer will automatically return to the 'out of the box' version upon
any repair of the installed application. Also, if you decide to create
custom versions of the shapes that are included, remember to remove the
Copyright information in your customized copies.


Barb Way
Product Support - Visio
Microsoft Corporation
[This posting is provided "As Is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.]
--------------------
From: <LizS@discussions.microsoft.com>
Subject: Evaluating during Trial period - question on Org Chart automation
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 07:00:00 -0700


Our group is assessing various Org Charting software. Can someone tell me
if
the following is possible in Visio and if so provide a quick outline of
what
would have to be done?

We have multiple users that need to create Org Charts using the same
format,
including a legend. The data will be retrieved via an ODBC connection (we
have this part functioning with the trial version). Is there a way, when
the
data is being loaded, to use a customized Org Chart wizard or template? I
see how to apply a custom template when manually creating a new chart, but
is
there a way to apply it when automatically bringing in data? We have seen
another product where we bring the data in, then apply a template and it
then
brings in the legend, formats the data in each box and applies formulas to
display certain data using images or coloring to the box. Is this possible
using Visio? Having to program something is fine also, as long as we can
get
some direction that it could be done and what would need to be programmed.
Thanks in advance for any information!
--
Liz