Designing Conceptual Diagrams

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Another new feature in Word 2002 is the built-in ability to create diagrams. Beyond an organization chart, a diagram enables you to show more complicated relationships, dependencies, processes, and more. Word gives you five different diagram types to choose from—a full complement of tools for illustrating data concepts.

Selecting the Right Diagram for the Job

In addition to the Organization Chart type, Word includes these diagram types that you can use and customize for your documents:

• Cycle shows a cyclical process.
• Radial shows how different elements relate to a core element.
• Pyramid shows how various elements build on a foundation.
• Venn shows how elements overlap with other elements.
• Target shows individual relationships to a core element or goal.

Creating the Diagram

Adding a diagram is a simple two-click process. Here are the steps:

1. Click at the point in the document where you want to add the diagram.
2. Choose Insert, Diagram or click the Diagram button on the Drawing toolbar. The Diagram Gallery dialog box appears, displaying the different diagram types. (See Figure 20-9.)

   

   Figure 20-9. Choose the diagram type you want to create in the Diagram Gallery dialog box.

3. Click the diagram you want to create, and click OK. The diagram is added to your document, and the Diagram toolbar is displayed. Table 20-2 describes each of the buttons you'll find on the Diagram toolbar.

Adding to the Diagram

The default diagram appears with several preset shapes—but you'll want to add more on your own. Simply select the shape beside or above which you want to add a shape. Click the Insert Shape button on the Diagram toolbar. A new shape is added to the diagram. The type of shape depends on which diagram you're creating:

• A stripe for a Pyramid
• An overlapping circle for a Venn chart
• A circle and connector line for a Radial chart
• A segment for a Cycle chart
• A ring for a Target diagram

Tip

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Adding text is as simple as clicking and typing. If you want to edit text in your diagram, click the item you want to change and type the desired text.

Table 20-2. Diagram Tools

Button	Name	Description	Use
	Insert Shape (Note: This tool changes based on the type of diagram you select.)	Enables you to add a shape in the form fitting to the diagram type	You want to add another element in your diagram.
	Move Shape Backward	Moves the currently selected shape one item down or back	You want to change the order of the elements in your diagram.
	Move Shape Forward	Moves the currently selected shape one item forward or up	You're reordering diagram elements.
	Reverse Diagram	Switches the order of the selected diagram element	You want to move the top element to the bottom of the diagram.
	Layout	Provides options for resizing the diagram	You're reducing the size of the chart to make room for text wrap.
	AutoFormat	Displays a Gallery of preset diagram formats	You want to create a professional-looking diagram.
	Change To	Displays options for other diagrams	You want to change your current diagram into another diagram type.
	Text Wrapping	Shows the options for wrapping text around diagrams	You want to flow text around the select diagram.

Moving Diagram Elements

Moving shapes in a diagram is a slightly different process than moving shapes in an organization chart. Instead of selecting and moving an entire branch, you work with single elements. Here are the steps:

1. Select the shape you want to move.
2. Use one of the following tools to accomplish what you want to do:
   • Move Shape Backward moves the shape down.
   • Move Shape Forward moves the shape up.
   • Reverse Diagram moves the shape to the opposite side (or end) of the diagram.

Changing the Diagram Layout

Resizing your diagram involves the use of the Layout button on the Diagram toolbar. When you click the Layout button, you're given three different choices in addition to the AutoLayout option:

• Fit Diagram To Contents tightens up the white space surrounding the diagram.
• Expand Diagram widens the diagram box.
• Scale Diagram resizes the actual diagram. Resize handles appear at the outer edges of the diagram box. Click a handle and drag the diagram box inward or outward (see Figure 20-10).

Figure 20-10. Resize the diagram by selecting Scale Diagram and dragging a handle.

Using AutoFormat for Diagrams

The AutoFormat button displays the Diagram Style Gallery dialog box. (See Figure 20-11.) Similar to the Organization Chart Style Gallery dialog box, this AutoFormat collection displays different styles you can apply to your diagram. You'll find different color schemes and shapes for each of the different diagram types. Experiment with the different formats until you find a style that suits your document. Click Apply to apply the style to your diagram.

Figure 20-11. Choose a style from the Diagram Style Gallery dialog box.

Changing to Another Diagram Type

One great feature about the new diagramming capability is the ease with which you can change from type to type. For example, if you use a cycle diagram to show the process of bringing a new product to market and it just doesn't seem quite right, you can switch the diagram—with data intact—to a radial diagram type. To change to another diagram type, click in the diagram and then click the Change To button on the Diagram toolbar and click the type of diagram you want. The diagram is redrawn in the type of diagram you selected.

Note

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For specifics about using the Text Wrapping tool to control the way text flows around your diagram, see the section, "Controlling Text Wrap Around Charts and Diagrams," earlier in this chapter.