# Creating Graphs

If you have made it this far in this manual, Congratulations. We are past all the software installation steps, graph theory discussions, and definitions. It is time to have some fun and create some simple diagrams.

# Prepare a New Excel Workbook

# Create a New Workbook from the Relationship Visualizer Template

The first action is to launch Excel. When Excel starts, it will suggest sample spreadsheets you can create. This will contain the Relationship Visualizer template which you saved as a template as part of the installation steps. Select this template to create a new workbook.

# Save the Workbook as a Macro-Enabled Workbook

The workbook will appear as shown below.

Perform a "FILE -> Save As" action. Choose a directory where you would like to save the file and change the file name from Relationship Visualizer1to something meaningful to you.

The most important step is to set the Save as type: dropdown list item as Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm). You will not be able to run the macros that create the visualizations unless the workbook is macro-enabled.

The Relationship Visualizer provides macros through seven Excel Fluent UI ribbon tabs named Graphviz, Style Designer, SQL, Source, SVG, and Exchange. The appropriate ribbon tab will appear and/or activate as you change worksheets.

The workbook you just saved may show a BLOCKED CONTENT message. Click the Trust Center button.

The security settings for running macros will be displayed. Choose the Enable VBA macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code can run) radio button, and press OK.

# Close and Reopen the New Workbook

Assuming that you changed the file name from Relationship Visualizer1to something meaningful to you, you should now close the file and reopen it.

When you reopen the workbook the message stating that macros have been blocked will be gone. The spreadheet will appear as follows, displaying a data worksheet and a custom ribbon tab named Graphviz.

WARNING

There is a known bug in Microsoft Excel pertaining to custom ribbons. The bug occurs whenever a File -> Save As action changes the Excel workbook file name.

The bug is caused by the ribbon holding a reference to the original file name, which breaks the ability to programmatically switch the tab focus. You can manually switch tabs as you move between worksheets, or you can close the file, and reopen it to have the ribbon tabs automatically change according to worksheet selections.

TIP

Any time you save a copy of the spreadsheet using File -> Save As and change the Excel workbook file name, you should close the workbook and reopen it.

# The `data` Worksheet

The data worksheet is the worksheet you will use to create graphs. Before we create our first graph, lets gain an understanding of the columns on this worksheet.

# `'data'` Worksheet Columns

For our first example, we will make the simplest graph possible with the tool. This graph will be a directed graph from a node named 'a' to a node named 'b'. To do so we must enter the edge information into the data Worksheet. The data Worksheet has 10 columns:

Column A - The Indicator column. This column allows you to specify a flag to treat the row as a comment. To do so enter a # hash tag character in the column. The row will turn green, and no data in this row will be included in the graph. If errors are detected in your data a ! exclamation mark character will appear in the column, the row will turn red, and an error message will be displayed in the Messages column.
Column B - The Item column. This column serves two purposes. For nodes, it is a unique identifier of the node. For edges, it is the unique identifier of the "from" node in a ("from", "to") node pairing.
Column C - The Tail Label column. This column is only used when specifying a relationship. It is the text label to be placed near the tail of an edge.
Column D - The Label column. This column is optional. When specified for nodes, the value is placed inside the shape; for edges, the value is placed near the spline.
Column E - The External Label column. This column is also optional. When specified for nodes, the value is placed outside the shape, typically above and to the left of the shape; for edges, the value is placed away from the spline. If neither a Label or External Label is specified then the graph will default to showing the Item value as the inside label of nodes, and no data for edges.
Column F - The Head Label column. This column is only used when specifying a relationship. It is the text label to be placed near the head of an edge.
Column G - The Tooltip column. This column is only used when specifying a tooltip in for clusters, nodes, and edges in graphs saved as files in the SVG format.
Column H - The Related Item column. This column is only used when specifying a relationship. It is the unique identifier of the "to" node in a ("from", "to") node pairing.
Column I - The Style Name column. Optional information in this column indicates what kind of data is in the row and relates it back to a style definition in the styles worksheet which controls how the node or element should be graphed. For now, we will only use the styles of edge and node in our graphs. Later chapters will explain how you can create additional styles to introduce shapes, colors, and images into your graphs.
Column J - The Attributes column. Optional information in this column provides a means to add extra elements of style which will only apply to a single row. For example, you can place style attributes in this column which would allow you to illustrate the route from Michigan to California as described in the introduction to this manual.
Column K - The Messages column. When the graphing macros run they check for common mistakes in the data, such as specifying only one node for an edge. When mistakes are found, they are reported in this column. In addition, and exclamation mark ! is placed in the Indicator column, and the row is highlighted in red to draw your attention to the error.

The columns for Tail Label, External Label, , Head Label Tooltip, and Messages (columns C, E, F, G, and K) are hidden by default, since they are less frequently used. Display of these columns can be quickly toggled to be visible by selecting the column name on the list of columns in the dropdown list beneath the Columns button.

# Graph Construction Basic Concepts

# Creating Your First Graph

The simplest way to draw a graph is to place values in the Item and the Related Item columns. If the 'Automatic Refresh' checkbox is checked the graph will draw as data is entered into each cell. If unchecked, then press the Refresh Graph button.

For our first graph, we will draw an 'a' is related to 'b' relationship.

Click on the Graphviz ribbon tab to activate it (if it is not the current active tab)
Click the Automatic checkbox (if it is not already checked)
Ensure the Workbook dropdown is set to data, which will cause the graph to be displayed within the data worksheet.
In row 3 type 'a' in the Item column, and 'b' in the Related Item column. The result will be drawn beside the data as you change cells.

The results should resemble the following example:

Congratulations, you have created your first graph!

The next section will discuss the concepts of creating graphs in Excel. You only need to use the Refresh Graph button of the Graphviz ribbon tab for these tutorials. We explain Graphviz ribbon tab details after the graphing concepts are mastered.

# Connect More Items

Next, lets expand upon the graph we just created to have additional relationships. Assume that:

'a' is related to 'b' (already drawn)
'b' is related to 'c'
'c' is related to 'a'

The Excel data appears as shown on rows 3-5. The Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";
        rankdir="TB";

        "a" -> "b";
        "b" -> "c";
        "c" -> "a";
    }

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# Add Edge Labels

Now, let us add data into the Label column to label the relationships. Fill in Column D as shown below. Press the Refresh Graph button, and the Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";
        rankdir="TB";

        "a" -> "b"[ label="is related to" ];
        "b" -> "c"[ label="is related to" ];
        "c" -> "a"[ label="is related to" ];
    }

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# Add Node Labels

The graph is how we want to see it, but the nodes need to be labeled. We do not want to change all our edges; however, we would like to replace 'a' with 'Alpha', 'b' with 'Bravo', and 'c' with 'Charlie'. The Relationship Visualizer assumes that when there is information in the Item column, but not in the Related Item column that the data corresponds to a node.

To label the nodes we will add 3 node definitions to the "data worksheet (rows 6, 7, 8) and press the Refresh Graph button. The Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";
        rankdir="TB";

        "a" -> "b"[ label="is related to" ];
        "b" -> "c"[ label="is related to" ];
        "c" -> "a"[ label="is related to" ];
        "a"[ label="Alpha" ];
        "b"[ label="Bravo" ];
        "c"[ label="Charlie" ];
    }

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# Apply a pre-defined node style

Next we will apply a pre-defined style to the nodes. Later on we will learn how to create our own node styles, but for now we will choose one of the default styles provided out of the box.

On rows 7, 8, and 9 tab to the Style Name column. A dropdown list will appear. Select the style Medium Square. The Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "a" -> "b"[ label="is related to" ];
    "b" -> "c"[ label="is related to" ];
    "c" -> "a"[ label="is related to" ];
    "a"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Alpha" ];
    "b"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Bravo" ];
    "c"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Charlie" ];
}

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# Apply a pre-defined edge style

Next we will apply a pre-defined style to the edges. Later on we will learn how to create our own edge styles, but for now we will choose one of the default styles provided out of the box.

On rows 3, 4, and 5 move to the Style Name column. A dropdown list will appear. Select the style Flow - Positive. This style uses the color dark green.

The Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "a" -> "b"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "b" -> "c"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "c" -> "a"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "a"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Alpha" ];
    "b"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Bravo" ];
    "c"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Charlie" ];
}

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# Apply an attribute to an edge

Next we will override the color on one of the edges.

On rows 5 move to the Attributes column. Enter the value color="red". The edge color will change from dark green to red. The font color, however will remain dark green.

The Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "a" -> "b"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "b" -> "c"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "c" -> "a"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" color="red" label="is related to" ];
    "a"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Alpha" ];
    "b"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Bravo" ];
    "c"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Charlie" ];
}

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# Specify Ports

Graphviz decides what it thinks is the best placement of the head and tail of an edge to produce a balanced graph.

Sometimes you might want to control where the edges begin or end. You can do that by specifying a port on the Item or Related Item ID, in the same manner as a URL. Ports are identified by a colon character : and then a compass point n, s, e, w, ne, nw, se, sw or c for center.

Lets change row 5 from the example above to have the edge from "c" to "a" exit from the east port of "c", and enter the east port of "a". The Item is now specified as c:e, and the Related Item is specified as a:e as shown in row 5. Press the Refresh Graph button, and the Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "a" -> "b"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "b" -> "c"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" label="is related to" ];
    "c":"e" -> "a":"e"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" color="red" label="is related to" ];
    "a"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Alpha" ];
    "b"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Bravo" ];
    "c"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Charlie" ];
}

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# Straighten Edges

Graphviz has a weight attribute which tells it to favor straighter lines. Lets add the attribute on rows 3, and 4 to tidy up the diagram. In the Attributes column add the value weight=10. The graph now appears as:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "a" -> "b"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" weight=10 label="is related to" ];
    "b" -> "c"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" weight=10 label="is related to" ];
    "c":"e" -> "a":"e"[ fontname="Arial" fontsize="10" color="darkgreen" fontcolor="darkgreen" arrowsize="0.5" color="red" label="is related to" ];
    "a"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Alpha" ];
    "b"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Bravo" ];
    "c"[ shape="square" height="0.5" width="0.5" fixedsize="True" style="filled" penwidth="1" fontname="Arial" fontsize="8" label="Charlie" ];
}

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# Delete all data

Lets start by clearing the data worksheet so that we can create a new graph with clusters. Click on the Delete dropdown list, and choose Delete all data. Notice that if you hover the mouse over the menu item a tooltip of help will appear.

Once you click Delete all data the data worksheet is reset to blank form.

# Specify Clusters

With the data worksheet cleared, lets create a new graph.

If you wish to cluster some elements of the graph you can do so by adding a row with an open brace "{" in the Item column above the first row of data to be placed in the group and provide a title for the cluster in the Label column. Next, add row with a close brace "}" in the Item column after the last row of data.

For example, this Excel worksheet does not have clusters.

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "start" -> "a0";
    "a0" -> "a1";
    "a1" -> "a2";
    "a2" -> "end";
}

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To cluster nodes a0, a1, and a2, calling the cluster "process #1" the worksheet is revised to add an open brace {with the label "process #1" on row 3, and a close brace } on rows 6 as follows.

Press the Refresh Graph button, and the Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "start" -> "a0";
    subgraph "cluster_1" {  label="process #1"
        "a0" -> "a1";
        "a1" -> "a2";
    }
    "a2" -> "end";
}

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# Specify Clusters Within Clusters

Graphviz permits clusters within clusters. Let us extend the example by adding an additional set of braces to cluster the relationship between a1 and a2. We will insert a new row 5 placing an open brace { in the Item column with the Label column set to "process #2", and a new row 7 with a close brace } in the Item column.

Press the Refresh Graph button, and the Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "start" -> "a0";
    subgraph "cluster_1" {  label="process #1"
        "a0" -> "a1";
        subgraph "cluster_2" {  label="process #2"
            "a1" -> "a2";
        }
    }
    "a2" -> "end";
}

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Graphviz does not limit the number of clusters you can have. In this example, we have added rows 10-14 to insert an additional cluster labeled "process #3".

Press the Refresh Graph button, and the Excel worksheet now looks like:

Graphviz Source

strict digraph "main"
{
    layout="dot";
    
    "start" -> "a0";
    subgraph "cluster_1" {  label="process #1"
        "a0" -> "a1";
        subgraph "cluster_2" {  label="process #2"
            "a1" -> "a2";
        }
    }
    "a2" -> "end";
    "start" -> "b0";
    subgraph "cluster_3" {  label="process #3"
        "b0" -> "b1";
    }
    "b1" -> "end";
}

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What is important to note is that you must ensure that you have an equal number of open braces as you do close braces. If you have a mismatch between the number of open and close braces, then Graphviz will not draw the graph.

# Specify Comma-separated Items

Another feature of the Relationship Visualizer is the ability to specify a comma-separated list of Item names and have a relationship created for each Item. For example, we can say that Mr. Brady is the father of Greg, Peter, and Bobby on one row as follows:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";

        "Mr. Brady" -> "Greg"[ label="Father of" ];
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Peter"[ label="Father of" ];
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Bobby"[ label="Father of" ];
    }

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The comma-separated list can also appear in the Item column, such as:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";

        "Marcia" -> "Mrs. Brady"[ label="Daughter of" ];
        "Jan" -> "Mrs. Brady"[ label="Daughter of" ];
        "Cindy" -> "Mrs. Brady"[ label="Daughter of" ];
    }

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Or a comma-separated list can be used in both the Item, and the Related Item column such as the parental relationship below:

Graphviz Source

    strict digraph "main"
    {
        layout="dot";

        "Mr. Brady" -> "Greg";
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Peter";
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Bobby";
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Marcia";
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Jan";
        "Mr. Brady" -> "Cindy";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Greg";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Peter";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Bobby";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Marcia";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Jan";
        "Mrs. Brady" -> "Cindy";
    }

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# The `Graphviz` Ribbon Tab

Now that you understand the basics to create graphs, let us look at the features contained in the Graphviz ribbon tab. The Graphviz ribbon tab is activated whenever the data graph, styles, settings or about… worksheet is activated. It appears as follows:

It contains the following major groups:

Graph to Worksheet
Graph to File
Algorithm
Options
Show/Hide Worksheets
Language

# Graph to Worksheet

Label	Control Type	Description
Refresh Graph	Button	The action button that causes the Excel data to be graphed by Graphviz and then displayed within the Excel workbook.
Automatic	Checkbox	When checked, keystrokes are monitored and as cell changes are detected the graph is automatically refreshed (also requires that `Graph in worksheet` is set to `data`).
Scale	Dropdown	Lets you scale the image displayed in Excel at `100%`, `75%`, `50%`, or `25%` so as the graph gets larger, you can see more of it within the workbook without having to scroll.
Delete all data	Button	Resets the `data` worksheet to blank cells, and deletes any graphs if present.
View	Dropdown list	The name of the column in the `styles` worksheet which controls which set of Yes/No values to use when creating the diagrams. This dropdown list is explained in more detail in the section Creating Views.
Image Type	Dropdown list	Image format to use when displaying the graph on the `data` or `graph` worksheet of the Relationship Visualizer. Choices: `bmp` - Microsoft Windows Bitmap format `gif` - Graphics Interchange Format `jpg` - Joint Photographic Experts Group format `png` - Portable Network Graphics format `svg` - Scalable Vector Graphics Note: SVG images only display in Office 365; they do not display in older versions of Excel.
Worksheet	Dropdown list	The worksheet in the current workbook where the graph should be displayed Choices: `data` - The graph is displayed in the `data` worksheet to the right of the data columns. `graph` - The graph is displayed in the `graph` worksheet, and the `graph` worksheet is activated. This setting is useful for large graphs as it allows you to use Excel's magnification Zoom-In/Zoom-out feature. It is also useful when you want to flip back and forth between the data and the graph to correct errors in the data.

# Graph to File

A tutorial on how to use these ribbon options is contained in the section Publishing Graphs.

Label	Control Type	Description
Graph to File	Button	The action button that causes the Excel data to be graphed by Graphviz and then written to a file.
All views to File	Button	The action button that causes the Excel data to be graphed by Graphviz and then written to a file repeatedly for every view defined in the `Styles` worksheet.
Get Directory	Button	Brings up the Directory Selection dialog and stores/displays the directory where the files should be written to. Once a directory is selected the directory path replaces the "Get Directory" button label.
File Prefix	Edit box	Base portion of the file name. For example: `Graph`. You may also build a file name using the following character strings in the file prefix to insert run-time values into the file name. `%D` - Current date `%T` - Current time `%E` - Graphviz layout engine `%S` - Splines `%V` - View name `%W` - Worksheet name NOTE: You must check the appropriate options in the `Filename options` dropdown list for the substitutions to occur.
File Format	Dropdown List	File format of the output file. Choices: `bmp` - Microsoft Windows Bitmap format `gif` - Graphics Interchange Format `jpg` - Joint Photographic Experts Group format `pdf` - Portable Document Format `png` - Portable Network Graphics format `ps` - Postscript format `svg` - Scalable Vector Graphics format `tiff` - Tagged Image File Format
Filename options	Dropdown List	A list of options which can be checked which will cause run-time information to be appended or omitted from the file name.
Add date/time to the filename	Check box	Option to add a date and time to the file name. checked, add the date and time unchecked, omit the date and time
Add Layout/Splines to the filename	Check box	Option to add the layout engine and spline type to the file name. checked, add the options unchecked, omit the options

# Algorithm

The Algorithm group within the Graphviz tab changes dynamically based upon the layout algorithm chosen. The graph options shown are specific to that particular layout algorithm.

# Layout = `circo`

# Layout = `dot`

# Layout = `fdp`

# Layout = `neato`

# Layout = `osage`

# Layout = `patchwork`

# Layout = `sfdp`

# Layout = `twopi`

Label	Control Type	Description
Layout	Dropdown list	Specifies which Graphviz layout program to use when drawing the graph. Choices: `circo` `dot` `fdp` `neato` `osage` `patchwork` `sfdp` `twopi` See Layout Algorithms for more information on how the algorithms draw the graphs.
Direction	Dropdown list	This setting controls the way that shapes are placed when the `dot` layout engine is used. This option will be hidden from the ribbon if the graphing engine is set to anything other than dot. Choices: `TB` - top to bottom `BR` - bottom to top `LR` - left to right `RL` - right to left
Splines	Dropdown list	Specifies how the edges between nodes should be drawn. See the examples in the Splines section. Choices: `curved` `line` `none` `ortho` `polyline` `spline`

# Options

Label	Control Type	Description
Graph Options	Dropdown List	Optional attributes which can be checked for inclusion in the Graphviz source. These attributes have graph-level scope.
Clusters	Label	Section Heading
Allow edges between clusters	Checkbox	Adds a `compound="true"` attribute when checked. If `compound="true"`, allows edges between clusters. See Clusters - Depicting a Relationship from or to a Cluster for more information.
Rank ignoring clusters	Checkbox	Adds a `newrank="true"` attribute when checked. This choice will only be present if the layout algorithm is set to `dot`. See Clusters - Aligning Nodes across Clusters for more information.
Drawing	Label	Section Heading
Center Drawing	Checkbox	Checking this item will cause the graph to be centered in the page, assuming the graph is smaller than the page size.
Directed graph	Checkbox	Specifies if the graph should be a directed graph (i.e., with arrows) or an undirected graph (i.e., no arrows). See the examples in the Undirected Graph and Directed Graph sections. Choices: Checked - Graph as a directed graph Unchecked - Graph as an undirected graph
Force xlabel placement	Checkbox	If checked, all `xlabel` attributes are placed, even if there is some overlap with nodes or other labels.
Output Order	Menu	A menu of mutually exclusive choices which specify the order in which nodes and edges are drawn. You may pick from: Breadth First - (the default if nothing is checked) `outputorder="breadthfirst"` is the simplest, but when the graph layout does not avoid edge-node overlap, this mode will sometimes have edges drawn over nodes and sometimes on top of nodes. Nodes First - If the mode `outputorder="nodesfirst"` is chosen, all nodes are drawn first, followed by the edges. This guarantees an edge-node overlap will not be mistaken for an edge ending at a node. Edges First - It may be desirable that all edges appear beneath nodes, even if the resulting drawing is ambiguous. This can be achieved by choosing `outputorder="edgesfirst"`.
Rotate 90 counterclockwise	Checkbox	If checked, causes the final layout to be rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
Transparent Background	Checkbox	Toggles the background color between white and transparent. Transparent backgrounds are useful if you intend to layer the graphs in an image editor or paste them into a Microsoft Word document. Choices: Checked - Background is transparent Unchecked - Graph background is white. Note: It is possible to set the graph background color to any valid color by specifying the `bgcolor=` attribute as a graph option on the `settings` worksheet.
Node Options	Dropdown list	Choices which control which nodes are included in the Graphviz source, and how the labels should be represented.
Drawing	Label	Section Heading
Include stand-alone nodes	Checkbox	Include or exclude nodes without relationships (i.e., island nodes). When using views to exclude relationship edges there may be nodes left in the diagram that are not connected to anything. This setting specifies if these island nodes should be included or excluded from the diagram. Choices: Checked - retain the island nodes Unchecked - drop the island nodes from the diagram
Label Columns	Label	Section Heading
Include `Label`	Checkbox	Include or exclude Labels column data? Allows you to turn labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include Label column data Unchecked - Drop the Label column data from the graph
Include `External Label`	Checkbox	Include or exclude External Labels column data? Allows you to turn outside (xlabel) labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include External Label column data Unchecked - Drop the External Label column data from the graph
When the `Label` column is blank…	Menu	Include or exclude blank values in the Label column? When the `Label` column is blank on the data worksheet on a row which refers to a node it can mean two possible things. One interpretation is to remove the label from the node, as might be useful when using images to represent nodes. The other interpretation is to let the graph default to displaying the value in the `Item` column. Choices: `…use blank for the node label` - use a blank label as the node's label text `…use the node identifier as the label` - show the value in the `Item` column as the label text
Edge Options	Dropdown list	Choices which control how edges should be specified in the Graphviz source, and how the labels should be represented.
Consolidate	Label	Section Heading
Apply "strict" rules	Checkbox	Specifies the strict attribute for the top-level graph. Describing the graph as strict forbids the creation of multi-edges, i.e., there can be at most one edge with a given tail node and head node in the directed case. For undirected graphs, there can be at most one edge connected to the same two nodes. Subsequent edge statements using the same two nodes will identify the edge with the previously defined one and apply any attributes given in the edge statement. Choices: Checked - Includes the strict attribute Edges have been consolidated. Unchecked - Omits the strict attribute Edges have not been consolidated.
Concentrate edges	Checkbox	If checked, use edge concentrators. This merges multi-edges into a single edge and causes partially parallel edges to share part of their paths. This feature is only available if the layout algorithm is dot. Choices: Checked - Include the concentrate attribute Edges have been concentrated Unchecked - Omits the concentrate attribute Edges are not concentrated
Filter	Label	Section Heading
Include edges which reference undefined nodes	Checkbox	Include/Exclude relationships Include stand-alone edges (i.e., orphan edges). When using views to exclude nodes there may be un-styled nodes included in the diagram due to edge references. This setting specifies if the edges should be included or excluded from the diagram. Choices: Checked - retain edges which have references to undefined nodes Unchecked - drop any edges which do not refer to defined nodes
Include Ports	Checkbox	Retain/Remove port values from the nodes in an edge relationship. Given: Choices: Checked - retain the ports when creating the edge syntax. `a:n -> b:s` Unchecked - removes the ports specified when creating the edge syntax. `a -> b`
Label Columns	Label	Section Heading
Include `Label`	Checkbox	Include or exclude Labels column data? Allows you to turn edge labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include Label column data Unchecked - Omit the Label column data from the graph
Include `External Label`		Include or exclude External Labels column data? Allows you to turn outside (xlabel) edge labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include External Label column data Unchecked - Omit the External Label column data from the graph
Include `Head Label`	Checkbox	Include or exclude Head Labels column data? Allows you to turn edge head labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include Head Label column data Unchecked - Omit the Head Label column data from the graph
Include `Tail Label`	Checkbox	Include or exclude Tail Labels column data? Allows you to turn edge tail labels on/off in the graph. Choices: Checked - Include Tail Label column data Unchecked - Omit the Table Label column data from the graph
Label Values	Label	Section Heading
When the `Label` column is blank…	Menu	Include or exclude blank values in the Label column? When the `Label` column is blank on the data worksheet on a row which refers to an edge it can mean two possible things. One interpretation is to remove the label from the edge. The other interpretation is to let the graph default to displaying the value Graphviz assigns to the edge relationship. Choices: `…the label is blank` - use the blank label as the node's label text `…use the edge name as the label` - show the value in the `Item` column as the label text
Style Options	Dropdown List	Switches which allow you to turn predefined style definitions and ad-hoc row level attributes on or off.
Use style formats	Dropdown list	Specifies if the style attributes associated with the Style Name assigned to a node, edge, or cluster should be used when the graph is generated. Choices: Checked - use the style format Unchecked - do not use the style format (i.e., use default Graphviz rendering method)
Use extra attributes	Dropdown list	Specifies if the `Attributes` style attributes on the `data` worksheet should be included or omitted when the graph is generated. Choices: Checked - include the style attributes Unchecked - do not include the style attributes
Debug Options	Dropdown List	Debug Options
Clear all error messages	Button	Resets the error message column
Add debugging information to labels	Checkbox	Turning this option to `on` causes additional information such as the row number and Item identifiers to be included in the labels of nodes, edges, and clusters. Choices: Unchecked - Do not add information to the labels Checked - Add information to the labels Unchecked Checked
Retain the DOT .gv source file after graphing	Checkbox	Specifies what should be done with the text file sent to Graphviz after the graphing step is complete when `Graph to File` is used to create the graph. Choices: Checked - retain the file. It will be in the same directory as the graph file with the same file name except for the file extension (which will be `.gv`). Unchecked - delete the file
Show/Hide Columns	Checkbox	A list of column names on the 'data' worksheet which can be displayed or hidden. Choices: Checked - show the column Unchecked - hide the column

# Show/Hide Worksheets

Label	Control Type	Description
Attributes	Toggle button	Specifies if the `HELP - attributes` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `HELP - attributes` worksheet not selected - hides the `HELP - attributes` worksheet
Colors	Toggle button	Specifies if the `HELP - colors` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `HELP - colors` worksheet not selected - hides the `HELP - colors` worksheet
Settings	Toggle-button	Specifies if the `settings` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `settings` worksheet not selected - hides the `settings` worksheet
shapes	Toggle button	Specifies if the `HELP - shapes` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `HELP - shapes` worksheet not selected - hides the `HELP - shapes` worksheet
source	Toggle button	Specifies if the `source` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `source` worksheet not selected - hides the `source` worksheet
sql	Toggle button	Specifies if the `sql` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `sql` worksheet not selected - hides the `sql` worksheet
svg	Toggle button	Specifies if the `svg` worksheet should be visible. Choices: selected - shows the `svg` worksheet not selected - hides the `svg` worksheet

# Language

Label	Control Type	Description
Language	Dropdown List	The list of language translations supported by the Relationship Visualizer. When you select a language the ribbon controls and, worksheet names, and worksheet headings will change from the current language to the selected language.
Verbose	Checkbox	The language translations have two versions of every edit control label. A short label, which is the default on Microsoft Windows as it supports groups on the ribbon tabs, and a longer, verbose label which is the default on Mac OS to compensate for the lack of ribbon groups in the Mac version of Excel. This checkbox lets you override the default label and chose between the concise and the verbose labels.

← Installation Instructions Adding Style →

# Creating Graphs

# Prepare a New Excel Workbook

# Create a New Workbook from the Relationship Visualizer Template

# Save the Workbook as a Macro-Enabled Workbook

# Close and Reopen the New Workbook

# The data Worksheet

# 'data' Worksheet Columns

# Graph Construction Basic Concepts

# Creating Your First Graph

# Connect More Items

# Add Edge Labels

# Add Node Labels

# Apply a pre-defined node style

# Apply a pre-defined edge style

# Apply an attribute to an edge

# Specify Ports

# Straighten Edges

# Delete all data

# Specify Clusters

# Specify Clusters Within Clusters

# Specify Comma-separated Items

# The Graphviz Ribbon Tab

# Graph to Worksheet

# Graph to File

# Algorithm

# Layout = circo

# Layout = dot

# Layout = fdp

# Layout = neato

# Layout = osage

# Layout = patchwork

# Layout = sfdp

# Layout = twopi

# Options

# Show/Hide Worksheets

# Language

# The `data` Worksheet

# `'data'` Worksheet Columns

# The `Graphviz` Ribbon Tab

# Layout = `circo`

# Layout = `dot`

# Layout = `fdp`

# Layout = `neato`

# Layout = `osage`

# Layout = `patchwork`

# Layout = `sfdp`

# Layout = `twopi`