2007 org chart 26 direct reports

[Andy]

I have a manager with 26 direct reports that I want to fit on one Ppt 2007
slide (please don't laugh). The second level isn't readable with a
completely horizontal layout or any of the vertical layout options. I used
to be able to create a layout (in Ppt XP) that gave me what I would call 4
levels of direct reports (6-7 per level) which was very readable. I can't
seem to pull this off in PowerPoint 2007 smart art. Can anyone give me some
tips as to how to proceed (beyond switching to Visio)? Thanks!

 

[Ute Simon]

I have a manager with 26 direct reports that I want to fit on one Ppt 2007

slide (please don't laugh). The second level isn't readable with a
completely horizontal layout or any of the vertical layout options. I
used
to be able to create a layout (in Ppt XP) that gave me what I would call 4
levels of direct reports (6-7 per level) which was very readable. I can't
seem to pull this off in PowerPoint 2007 smart art. Can anyone give me
some
tips as to how to proceed (beyond switching to Visio)? Thanks!

SmartArt is fine for simple structures. But for non-standard structures like
yours I would recommend using rectangle forms. Draw one form as you would
like to see it for the direct reports. Apply color, size, shape, and so on
and type some sample text into it, format the text, too. Then copy this
sample shape 25 times. Arrange them as they fit best on the slide, using the
Arrange tools on the Drawing Tools tab. Add a shape for the boss and format
it. Then use the Z-shaped lines to connect them with their boss. All lines
in PowerPoint 2007 are connectors, which will move with the shapes, if you
need to re-arrange them. That will take less time than re-formatting a
SmartArt.

Best regards,
Ute

 

[Andy]

Thanks so much--it's not so bad to re-create it. The lines are a bit hard to
line up sometimes is all.