Visualize Your Data in Microsoft Visio 2016

Edit data graphics

The placement and appearance of data graphics are controlled by an editable set of parameters. Although you can’t control every attribute of a data graphic without resorting to writing code, the Visio 2016 user interface provides tools to implement a surprising number of changes by using the Edit Data Graphic dialog box, shown in Figure 9-16.

Figure 9-16 Data graphics can contain multiple graphic items of different types

The upper half of the Edit Data Graphic dialog box lists all of the graphic items that are part of the selected data graphic. You can add, edit, or delete each graphic item. In the lower half of the dialog box, you can modify the characteristics of the data graphic as a whole.

Important

You establish the default position for a data graphic by selecting from the Horizontal and Vertical lists in the Default Position of the Edit Data Graphic dialog box. (Both the horizontal and vertical positions are relative to the shape to which the graphic will be attached.) Data graphic items in the upper half of the dialog box whose Position is set to Default will appear at this location.

You use the Edit Item dialog box to change display properties. The specific properties in the dialog box vary based on the selected graphic item.

For the Thermometer graphic shown in Figure 9-17, you can specify the minimum and maximum values so Visio can properly scale the height of the red inside the thermometer. You can also adjust labels and other icon attributes.

Figure 9-17 You can accept default values in many situations but can customize data graphics as needed

Important

The Minimum Value and Maximum Value fields are critical for all Data Bar graphic items, not just the Thermometer icon. If these values are set incorrectly, the height or width, depending on the graphic item, will be incorrect.

In the upper-right corner of the dialog box, you can select the check box to position a graphic item at the default position for the data graphic that contains it. You can also clear that check box and select from the options in the Horizontal and Vertical lists to set your own location relative to the underlying shape.

To edit a data graphic

1. Display the Advanced Data Graphics gallery, right-click the thumbnail of the data graphic you want to change, and then click Edit.

   Or

   Right-click any shape that contains the data graphic you want to change, click Data, and then click Edit Data Graphic.

2. In the Edit Data Graphic dialog box, click the graphic item you want to edit, and then click the Edit Item button.

   Or

   Double-click the graphic item you want to edit.

3. Make your changes in the Edit Item dialog box, and then click OK.

4. (Optional) Change the settings in the Default position, Display options, or Apply changes to sections of the Edit Data Graphic dialog box.

   TIP

   

   The next step is useful if you are still experimenting with how you want the data graphic to look on the page.

5. (Optional) Click the Apply button to see the changes in the diagram without closing the Edit Data Graphic dialog box.
6. Click OK.

To rename a data graphic

1. Display the Advanced Data Graphics gallery, right-click the thumbnail of the data graphic you want to rename, and then click Rename.
2. Enter a new name, and then click OK.

To duplicate a data graphic

1. Display the Advanced Data Graphics gallery, right-click the thumbnail of the data graphic you want to duplicate, and then click Duplicate.

To select all shapes that use a particular data graphic

1. Display the Advanced Data Graphics gallery, right-click the thumbnail of a data graphic, and then click Select Shapes that use this Graphic.

To delete a data graphic

1. Display the Advanced Data Graphics gallery, right-click the thumbnail of the data graphic you want to delete, and then click Delete.

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In Chapter 10, “Link to external data,” you will discover additional techniques for editing data graphics in diagrams that have been linked to external data sources.