Linking to external
data source like databases, Excel and text files form
the basis of a dynamic DataPoint presentation. These connections
are defined at presentation level. Afterwards you can
connect almost every shape to this connection in order
to display the latest information in your slide show.
A Microsoft Excel worksheet connection is a worksheet
within a Microsoft Excel workbook containing cell
information that will be shown in a presentation.
This type of connection is ideal if you have no
or little database knowledge or in the event that
you want to quickly connect a dynamic data source
to a presentation.
Note that the Excel technology is slower and less
flexible than a database solution especially when
working with large and complex data.
Setting up a
connection
Set
up a new connection to an Excel worksheet in order
to link it to shapes on your slides. Click DataPoint
> Slide show properties and select the Excel
tab. Now click Add to add a new connection.
Name
Enter a unique name of your connection e.g. Production
data.
File
Click
the Browse button to select your Excel workbook
that you want to use in your presentation.
Sheet
After
you have selected a valid Excel workbook, you
will see its worksheets listed in the sheet list.
Select the Excel worksheet that you want to use
in your presentation.
Range
Indicate
the maximum cell range that should be available
within DataPoint. It makes no sense to read all
information of a worksheet so keep this range
within an acceptable range. The notation of the
range is exactly the same as the Excel notation.
Example A1:D20 which indicates the range of column
A row 1 till column D of row 20. This range is
would hold 80 cells that can be addressed in DataPoint.
First row contains
field names
If
the Excel sheet contains column names at the first
row of the range specified, check The first row
contains field names checkbox. Otherwise default
column names will be used; F1, F2, F3 etc.
