This is a guest post by Myles Arnott from Clarity Consultancy Services – UK.
- Part 1: Introduction & overview
- Part 2: Dynamic Charts in the Dashboard
- Part 3: VBA behind the Dynamic Dashboard a simple example
- Part 4: Pulling it all together
In this post we are going to look at a simple example of the VBA behind the Dynamic Dashboard. Essentially we will learn to write macros for doing this:
The dynamic dashboard VBA example can be downloaded here [Mirror]
Some VBA essentials
Defining variables:
First we need to define variables “left” and “top” as integers.
Dim left As Integer
Dim top As Integer
Next we need to set a value for these variables. To do this I have created two named ranges in the Excel file called Left and Top. To make variable “left” equal to named range Left:
left = Range("Left").Value
and the equivalent for variable “top”
top = Range("Top").Value
Finally select the shape:
ActiveSheet.Shapes("Rounded Rectangle 1").Select
And define its position:
Selection.ShapeRange.top = top
Selection.ShapeRange.left = left
So the full code is:
Sub move_Image()
Dim left As Integer
Dim top As Integer
'Define the position values
left = Range("Left").Value
top = Range("Top").Value
'Select the shape and position it
ActiveSheet.Shapes("Rounded Rectangle 1").Select
Selection.ShapeRange.top = top
Selection.ShapeRange.left = left
End SubThis code can be viewed by clicking on macros in the file.
Once you have the code ready, you should assign it to the Rounded Rectangle 1, so that whenever you click on the rounded rectangle, the code is run.
What it does
In the downloadable file in Sheet1, enter values against the Top and Left positions in the input area (blue). Click on the shape to move it to the position you have defined.
How it works
Clicking on the shape runs macro “move_Image”.
The value for the position of the shape is linked from the named range to the variable.
The macro uses Selection.ShapeRange.top and Selection.ShapeRange.left to determine the position of the shape based on the variable value.
What Next?
We now know how to move objects using VBA. In the final part of the series learn how to pull all this together to create the dashboard.
Download the complete dashboard
Go ahead and download the dashboard excel file. The dynamic dashboard can be downloaded here [mirror, ZIP Version]
It works on Excel 2007 and above. You need to enable macros and links to make it work.
Added by PHD:
Myles has taken various important concepts like Microcharts, form controls, macros, camera snapshot, formulas etc and combined all these to create a truly outstanding dashboard. I am honored to feature his ideas and implementation here on PHD. I have learned several valuable tricks while exploring his dashboard. I am sure you would too.
If you like this tutorial please say thanks to Myles.
Related Material & Resources
- Excel Dynamic Charts – Tutorials, Examples and Demos
- Excel Dashboards – Tutorials & Templates Section of PHD
- 6 Part Tutorial on Making KPI Dashboards in Excel
This is a guest post by Myles Arnott from Clarity Consultancy Services – UK.
9 Responses to “Show forecast values in a different color with this simple trick [charting]”
While this works in a pinch, it clearly "lightens" the colors of the entire chart. Depending on where you use this, it will be blatantly obvious that you don't know what you are doing and present a poor looking graph.
Why not separate the data into different segments when charting and have as many colors as you have data points? You might have to create a new legend and/or repeat the chart in "invisible ink", but it would be cleaner and more consistent when new or updated data becomes available.
While I think I agree that doing it "properly" via a second series is preferable, I don't necessarily agree that making the entirety of the "future" (data, gridlines, and even the axis) semi-transparent is "poor looking". I think it could be seen as adding more emphasis to the "future-ness" of the forecast data.
In short, it's another tool for the toolbox, even if it's never needed.
Simply and clever 🙂
Quick & effective, cool. thanks.
I always use the dummy series.
Nice little trick, thanks very much!
Two sets of data better. Control is much better.
You can use the same chart next month to see what is actual and what is forecast.
To use this trick, I think grid lines has to be removed, that will make the graphic much more sharp.
to be honest, i dont understand why there is needed to do this way... in this case horizontal lines will be pale as well. then why a just can't change the color of the line partly???
Great tutorial. Thanks for the tutorial!