Reading Excel files to create business graphics

Can SmartDraw read Excel files to create pie charts, line graphs, etc.?

I'm not very experienced with SmartDraw beyond creating Mind-Maps and Gantt charts, but I'll tell you what I've experienced:

I haven't found a way to 'import' Excel files, but I've created Gantt Charts by copying the the Excel data and pasting it straight into the Gantt. I opened the Gantt and added enough tasks (lines) to hold the data and then pasted it.

When working with Gantts, I don't add lines using the Table tab, I use the SmartBar to add tasks, one at a time.

Sorry I can't offer more...

Solon

Keith,

If you highlight the data in Excel and copy it to the Clipboard you can then open the appropriate chart type in SmartDraw and do "Ctrl+V" (Paste) or choose "Paste Data  from Clipboard in the SmartPanel on the left side of the screen.  If the data can be interpreted it will apply to the chart on the work area.

Regards,

SmartDraw Support

What exactly has to be copied and pasted for the Gantt to work?  I am trying to paste Task Name, Start Date, End Date, and Duration (I've hidden the other columns) and am finding that after I paste, the Duration gets reset to 1 and the End Date gets reset to Start Date + 1 day. 

Dear user,

After speaking with our Development Team, copy and pasting from MS Excel is not something we necessarily recommend unless the Gantt Chart is completely blank and you are starting from scratch.  That said, the only column we recommend copy > pasting data / text from MS Excel is the Task list. 

If you have any additional questions please let us know.

Regards,

SmartDraw Support