Access 2003 charts - should this be easier?

[Philip Herlihy]

I've been experimenting with charts (for the first time in Access!) in
an attempt to help Yemi with his Maternity ward database. He needs a
chart of measurements (cm, I guess) over time.

Whereas in Excel I'm usually able to get exactly what I want with little
fuss, in Access I've found it very difficult to get a simple line graph
plotting measurements against time values. I find I can't escape
Access's insistence on grouping the data, and I've ended up grouping
time by Hour and plotting the Max measurement for that Hour. Then, when
I try to apply suitable formatting to the date/time values I find I have
to alter the Format string in the Record Source for the chart to get
things to display the way I want. Even then, half the time I make a
tiny changes the chart stops working!

Am I missing something, or is this part of Access much-neglected by the
development team (up to 2003, at least)?

Pointers very much appreciated - this has become a mission...

If you want to play with my fumbling efforts there's a copy here:

http://cid-58df9dff858f41a4.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Yemi/chart-dilations.mdb

(data randomly generated in Excel).

And I thought I was so smart...

Phil, London

 

[Crystal (strive4peace)]

Hi Phil,

here is the trick:

After you use the 'wizard' to build your graph, modify the RecordSource
property! You do not have to group and you can usually get exactly what
you want Once I have a graph form, I change the heck out of it!

I must agree with you the ease of charting in Excel -- and knowing how
to do that well is a big plus in working with graphs in Access <smile>

Warm Regards,
Crystal
remote programming and training

http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

Access Basics
http://www.AccessMVP.com/strive4peace
free 100-page tutorial that covers essentials in Access

*
have an awesome day
*

 

[Philip Herlihy]

Hi Phil,

here is the trick:

After you use the 'wizard' to build your graph, modify the RecordSource
property! You do not have to group and you can usually get exactly what
you want Once I have a graph form, I change the heck out of it!

I must agree with you the ease of charting in Excel -- and knowing how
to do that well is a big plus in working with graphs in Access <smile>

Warm Regards,
Crystal
remote programming and training

http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

Access Basics
http://www.AccessMVP.com/strive4peace
free 100-page tutorial that covers essentials in Access

*
have an awesome day
*

Thanks, Crystal - I had found my way to the RecordSource property, but
it seemed so improbable that this would be the way to control what you
get that I was sure I must be missing something! Thanks for the
reassurance. I'll see if it's any easier in Access 2007 later.

Phil

 

[Crystal (strive4peace)]

Hi Phil,

you are welcome

in order to manipulate RecordSource well, it helps to understand SQL --
and it is easy once you start looking at it! Read the SQL chapter here:

Access Basics
http://www.AccessMVP.com/strive4peace
free 100-page tutorial that covers essentials in Access

Warm Regards,
Crystal
remote programming and training

http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

*
have an awesome day
*