PivotDiagrams are a great new way to summarize data in Microsoft Visio. PivotDiagrams can be used for dynamic analysis; to visually present aggregate information, and even to navigate linked data shapes on the same, or different pages (with a little bit of code). You can combine PivotDiagrams with Linked Data and Data Graphics to provide integrated data dashboards. The PivotDiagrams are created with data sources, just like Link Data to Shapes, but the Data Recordsets are not displayed within the External Data window. The PivotDiagram solution is an add-on to Visio, so you do not have the same programmatic control as you have with the Link Data. However, you can employ techniques to enhance your user’s experience and to increase productivity.

PivotDiagrams let you select columns, usually non-numeric ones, as Categories into which you can breakdown the data. These Categories are presented as Breakdown Shapes, below which Nodes display the aggregate data. These nodes can be broken down into further categories, and so on until all rows from the Data Recordset are displayed as single nodes . . . if you want to go that far.

PivotDiagrams work particularly well with aggregations of numeric and currency data. In the sample database, C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12\1033\DBSAMPLE.MDB, the Network—Computers table has the Number data type fields, Machine Type code, Hard Disk Space and Memory, while, the Cost field is Currency data type