Updating a Graph Using Information in Text Boxes

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brfender - 30 May 2006 16:59 GMT

Hi,
I am using PowerPoint 2003.

I am trying to create a graph in PowerPoint for another user. The user does
not want to double-click on the graph to enter the information in the
datasheet. Instead, the information would be input on another slide and
update the graph automatically.

For example: On slide 1, individual text boxes (or another object) could
have the data for the chart. The data from the text boxes would update the
chart on slide 2.

I have used VB in Excel and Access, but not in PowerPoint; however, I am
willing to try it.

Any help provided is appreciated. Thank you.

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Steve - 30 May 2006 19:50 GMT

I would suggest you use Excel for data entry and generating the chart.
After you have developed the data entry and chart you can link the
chart to powerpoint slides. Make sure when you paste the chart you use
"Special Paste" and "Paste Link". This makes it easier than trying to
do it all in Powerpoint. Once powerpoint knows you have a linked chart
or cells it will ask if you want to refresh it each time it is opened.

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brfender - 30 May 2006 20:30 GMT

Steve,

Thank you for your reply.

I brought this suggestion up to the user before, but it is not what they are
looking for. The chart the user is creating is only one series of data on a
simple bar chart. I have also suggested using the graphing feature in
PowerPoint, but showing the data table in order to show the data. We'll see
how he likes that idea.

I would still be curious if anyone has any code out there that would do
this. I've read some stuff about creating the chart from a CSV file using
code, but the user wants to keep everything in one file.

Thanks again.
Ben

> I would suggest you use Excel for data entry and generating the chart.
> After you have developed the data entry and chart you can link the
> chart to powerpoint slides. Make sure when you paste the chart you use
> "Special Paste" and "Paste Link". This makes it easier than trying to
> do it all in Powerpoint. Once powerpoint knows you have a linked chart
> or cells it will ask if you want to refresh it each time it is opened.

Reply to this Message

Steve - 31 May 2006 12:10 GMT

Good luck. I am not understanding what they expect powerpoint to do.
They want to add data to on slide to update the next slide? Seems silly
but I know silly is not a word we use.

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Steve Rindsberg - 31 May 2006 20:08 GMT

> Good luck. I am not understanding what they expect powerpoint to do.
> They want to add data to on slide to update the next slide? Seems silly
> but I know silly is not a word we use.

I figure it's something along these lines:

The user wants to solicit some data from the audience or otherwise enter it on
the fly, during a presentation.

They then want the graph on another slide to update itself with this new data
w/o any visible MSGraph fumbling going on.

In that light (or one like it), it makes good sense.

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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Steve Rindsberg - 30 May 2006 21:08 GMT

> Hi,
> I am using PowerPoint 2003.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> I have used VB in Excel and Access, but not in PowerPoint; however, I am
> willing to try it.

Will the user be running the presentation in a full copy of Powerpoint (where
it could work) or do they plan to run it in the free PPT viewer (where it
won't. work that is)

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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brfender - 30 May 2006 21:17 GMT

It will be run from the full version of PowerPoint. It will not be run from
a viewer.

Thanks.

> Will the user be running the presentation in a full copy of Powerpoint (where
> it could work) or do they plan to run it in the free PPT viewer (where it
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> PPTools: www.pptools.com
> ================================================

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 30 May 2006 23:07 GMT

> It will be run from the full version of PowerPoint. It will not be run from
> a viewer.

Then it can almost certainly be coded to work as requested via VBA.

If you want to have a go at it, start here:

Working with MSGraph charts
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/index.html#name_Working_with_MSGraph_charts

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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