Chapter 6. Gallery of Relationship Charts
The relationship chart category includes a wide variety of subtypes. Each chart is meant to show how two or more ideas interact. The subtypes are
- Arrow—Six layouts with arrows show the interaction of ideas.
- Balance—One layout compares two stacks of competing information.
- Equation—Two layouts show how multiple efforts lead to a result.
- Funnel—One layout shows how three parts merge into a whole.
- Gear—One layout shows interlocking ideas.
- Target—Three layouts show containment, gradations, or hierarchical relationships.
- Venn—Three layouts show overlapping relationships.
In addition to Arrow, Balance, Equation, Funnel, Gear, Target, and Venn diagrams, the Relationship category in the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box includes 14 diagrams that are repeated from other categories. For example, Picture Accent List and Hierarchy List appear in this category as well as their home category.
Arrow Charts
Most of the arrow charts are used to illustrate opposing forces. Some diagrams have the arrows pointing away from each other, whereas other diagram layouts have the arrows colliding.
The Upward Arrow is the only cooperative arrow diagram. In this layout, all the shapes work together.
Diverging Arrows Charts
The Diverging Arrows layout can be used to show contrasting concepts or opposing forces. The layout is ideal for Level 1 text only because any Level 2 text appears as bullets within the arrows.
Originally designed to show two opposing forces (see Figure 6.1), Microsoft enhanced the layout to scale for more arrows. Figure 6.2 shows layouts with 3, 4, 5, and 21 arrows.
Figure 6.1 Diverging Arrows diagrams show opposing forces. Theme: Deluxe, Style: Polished, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.
Figure 6.2 Diverging Arrows diagrams can scale to include more than two arrows. Theme: Module, Style: Polished, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.
Upward Arrow Charts
Microsoft had to create a new shape type specifically for the Upward Arrow layout. The underlying shape is called a swoosh arrow. It is used to show a progression upward from a starting point.
The Upward Arrow layout illustrates from one to five points on a swoosh arrow, as shown in Figure 6.3.
Figure 6.3 This layout illustrates an upward trend. Theme: Office, Cartoon, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 3.
The diagram works best with only Level 1 text. Any Level 2 text appears in bullet points below the Level 1 text.
The final Level 1 bullet has the most space for Level 2 text. One variation for this chart is to use the final Level 1 bullet to add Level 2 bullets explaining the upward trend (see Figure 6.4).
Figure 6.4 Although there is not space for Level 2 text below 2003, there is room for multiple Level 2 bullet points below the final shape. Theme: Office, Cartoon, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 3.
Counterbalance Arrows Charts
The Counterbalance Arrows layout illustrates two opposing forces: One force pushes down, and the other choice pushes up. Although the layout is limited to only two points of Level 1 text, there is suitable space for several small bullets of Level 2 text to explain each force.
The architecture of this style places more emphasis on the downward trends. This is mitigated somewhat by using Sunset Scene to push the right side of the chart backward out of view. Interestingly, the Opposing Arrows chart style reverses the arrows, with the upward arrow having prominence.
Figure 6.5 shows a Counterbalance Arrows layout with some Level 2 bullets.
Figure 6.5 This layout illustrates a downward and upward force. It is ideal for explaining the drivers and prohibitors of growth. Theme: Flow, Style: Sunset Scene, Color: Transparent Gradient Range – Accent 4.
Opposing Arrows Charts
The Opposing Arrows layout also offers two arrows: one pointing up and one pointing down. This style has the positive arrow on top, making the upward force bullet points appear more prominently. The layout works fine with Level 2 text.
Figure 6.6 shows a diagram in Opposing Arrows layout.
Figure 6.6 This layout emphasizes the upward arrow. Theme: Foundry, Style: Flat Scene, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 2.
Converging Arrows Charts
The Converging Arrows layout starts out with two opposing arrows facing each other, similar to the Diverging Arrow layout. This style allows you to add additional arrows, to show the convergence of three, four, or n ideas. The style works best with only Level 1 text.
Figure 6.7 shows four different versions of the Converging Arrows layout, with 2, 3, 4, and 12 Level 1 text entries.
Figure 6.7 This layout shows the convergence of multiple ideas. Theme: Median, Style: White Outline, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.
Arrow Ribbon Charts
The Arrow Ribbon layout shows two opposites that are connected or interdependent. This layout is limited to two entries of Level 1 text. It works best with Level 1 text, but it is possible to add bullet points of Level 2 text.
The frustrating aspect of this layout is that the arrows are actually one interconnected shape and would normally be limited to one color. The diagram in Figure 6.8 overcomes this limitation by using a gradient. The gradient applies a different color to each side of the diagram but mixes the colors in the middle to indicate that the ideas are interconnected.
Figure 6.8 Arrow Ribbon layout includes a single shape. A gradient is used to color each end a different color. Theme: Metro, Style: Cartoon, Color: Custom Gradient.
To apply a gradient, follow these steps:
- Click on the arrow of the shape to select the entire shape instead of just the words in the shape.
- Click on the SmartArt Tools, Format tab and select Gradient, Choose More Gradients from the Shape Fill drop-down menu.
- In the Format Shape dialog box, choose the option for Gradient Fill.
- In the Preset colors drop-down, choose the Early Sunset style.
- In the Direction drop-down, choose Linear Right.
- There are five settings to control where one color begins and the next color ends in the gradient. The Stop position for the first gradient should already be set to 0%.
- Choose the Gradient Stops drop-down to select Stop 2. Set the stop position to 48% and repeat this process for Stops 3 (55%), 4 (100%), and 5 (100%).
Equation, Funnel, Gear, and Balance Charts
The Equation, Funnel, and Gear layouts use a new set of AutoShapes created for Office 2007:The Balance layout is one of the more intriguing layouts, where the shape tips left or right depending on the number of Level 1 items in each list.
For equations, although the initial layouts are in the form of A + B = Result, you can use the Format tab to change the plus and equal signs to other mathematical symbols.
The Funnel chart is good to show up to three ingredients leading to a result.
The Gear layout shows how three parts are interconnected.
The Balance layout compares two stacks of shapes to determine which contains more weight.
Equation Charts
The Equation layout starts out with a linear equation: A + B = C. As you add Level 1 text, the equation grows to show more addends equating to the final Level 1 item. This layout works best with only Level 1 text.
Figure 6.9 shows Equation with four Level 1 shapes.
Figure 6.9 As you add Level 1 entries, more shapes appear before the equal sign. Theme: Opulent, Style: Polished, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 6.
You also can build other equations that are not simple addition equations. Figure 6.10 indicates that Hard Work without Focus will not lead to success. This diagram started out as an equation in the A + B = C format. To change the default plus or equal sign, follow these steps:
- Click on the math sign in the equation.
- Click on the SmartArt Tools, Format tab.
- In the Shape group, choose the Change Shape drop-down. Choose from addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equal, or not equal from the Equation Shapes category of the drop-down.
- Repeat steps 1–3 for additional shapes.
Figure 6.10 You can change the math operators used in the equation. Theme: Deluxe, Style: Polished, Color: Gradient Range – Accent 5.
Vertical Equation Charts
The description for Vertical Equation says to use it to show sequential steps or tasks that depict a plan or result. Personally, I don’t particularly like this layout. It is a non sequitur that the addition problem is set up vertically, with the answer off to the side. This layout feels like a rebellious student who writes his answer too largely and in the wrong place.
Part of the problem is that the scale is off. You have two circles that contain approximately 3.2 square inches adding up to a circle that contains 15.9 square inches. That leaves the whole chart unbalanced.
The last Level 1 item appears as the answer to the equation, to the right of an arrow.
Whether you want an equal sign or an arrow, you can switch using the steps in the preceding section.
Figure 6.11 shows a diagram made with the Vertical Equation layout.
Figure 6.11 This layout offers an unbalanced symmetry. Theme: Oriel, Style: Intense Effect, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 4.
Funnel Charts
The Funnel layout allows you to illustrate how one to three components come together to form a result.
This layout is limited to four lines of Level 1 text. The final Level 1 item is shown below the arrow at the bottom of the funnel. Any items beyond four elements of Level 1 are not included in the diagram, but they remain available in case you later switch to another layout.
Note
Text in extra shapes remains available until you close the document. At that point, any text for extra shapes is deleted. This is a privacy consideration. Microsoft doesn’t want you to accidentally leave unintended data that cannot be seen.
The shapes inside the funnel could handle minimal Level 2 bullets, but the diagram is well suited to only Level 1 text.
Figure 6.12 shows a Funnel layout with the maximum number of shapes.
Figure 6.12 This layout shows how ingredients come together to form a result. Theme: Origin, Style: Subtle Effect, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 5 to 6.
Gear Charts
The Gear layout is used to show up to three interlocking ideas. You can use it to demonstrate how one component of a system works with all the other components of the system.
The layout works best with only Level 1 text with one, two, or three bullets. Any Level 2 text is shown as bullet points outside each gear.
Figure 6.13 illustrates a gear chart.
Figure 6.13 This layout illustrates how three components work together. Theme: Solstice, Style: Sunset Scene, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 1.
Balance Charts
The Balance layout is used to illustrate weighing two alternatives. The title of each alternative is entered as Level 1 text and is shown in a box at the top of the diagram. Beneath the title, boxes for each Level 2 bullet appear as boxes on a simple balance. Whichever side has more boxes tips the scales in one direction or the other.
Figure 6.14 shows a diagram with more weight on the pro side of the scale.
Figure 6.14 In this diagram, the three positive points outweigh the negative points. Theme: Metro, Style: White Outline, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 2 to 3.
The Balance layout works for up to three blocks of Level 2 text. The scale automatically tips left or right or stays flat, as shown in Figure 6.15.
Figure 6.15 The scale automatically tips, depending on which side has more Level 2 bullets. Theme: Metro, Style: White Outline, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 2 to 3.
Target or Venn Charts
Target layouts show a containment or hierarchical relationship. In these layouts, one shape completely encompasses another shape.
Three Venn diagrams show how each shape partially intersects other shapes. The second Venn diagram actually seems more like a target diagram because each circle is completely contained in the next circle.
Basic Target Charts
The Basic Target layout is a round target, just like you might see on an archery range at Cub Scout camp. The first item of Level 1 text appears in the middle of the target. Additional items are presented in concentric rings around the center. All the actual text appears outside the shape, with leader lines pointing to the appropriate rings.
This shape is best for Level 1 text, although Level 2 bullets can appear below the Level 1 items.
Figure 6.16 shows a target chart. Figure 6.17 shows the dangers of leaving the target chart displayed on your computer when young kids are around. (Yes, those really are suction cup arrows stuck to an LCD monitor. Don’t try this at home!)
Figure 6.16 This layout shows a hierarchical relationship or containment. Theme: Technic, Style: Intense Effect, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 2.
Figure 6.17 Although the computer is great at amusing kids, this is not an approved use. Theme: Technic, Style: Intense Effect, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 2.
Nested Target Charts
The Nested Target layout is used to illustrate containment relationships.
Containment relationships are often used in a computer programming environment. When a programmer creates a new object variable, that variable includes subordinate objects.
For example, a new Excel workbook can contain worksheets. Each worksheet contains cells. When you delete the workbook, you also delete all the worksheets and cells.
As another example, a PowerPoint presentation typically contains many slides. Each slide contains elements such as text boxes, and so on. If you delete a slide, all the elements on that slide are deleted as well.
The Nested Target layout, however, cannot illustrate wide relationships. If you tried to model a single cell in an Excel workbook, you would not be able to fit many of the dozens of properties belonging to the cell. Figure 6.18 shows that cell A19 is contained in Sheet3 and that Sheet3 is contained in MyFile.xlsm.
Figure 6.18 This containment chart illustrates cell A19 on an Excel worksheet. Theme: Trek, Style: Flat Scene, Color: Gradient Range – Accent 1.
The mechanics of Nested Target are peculiar. In Figure 6.19, the Level 1 text is “Meal,” “Entrée,” and “Sides.” Each Level 1 text entry forms a red or blue rectangular shape in the figure. The Level 2 entries for the final Level 1 text fill the inside rectangle. Level 2 entries for earlier Level 1 items appear vertically to the left of the subordinate shape.
Figure 6.19 If you work for a fast-food joint, you can explain your meals to your customers in a containment diagram. Theme: Custom, Style: Inset, Color: Custom.
If you search Google Images for “Containment Diagram,” the first example you’re likely to see is from a 1997 lecture at San Diego State University. It turns out that Nested Target is perfect for illustrating this trivial example, as shown in Figure 6.19. A meal is composed of a drink, a dessert, and an entrée. The entrée is composed of a meat and some sides. I am 99% positive it is purely coincidental that the Nested Target layout can easily handle the meal containment diagram.
If you click through to any of the remaining Google Image results, they are a bit too complicated for the Nested Target layout.
Target List Charts
The Target List layout can show interrelated or overlapping information. The layout is composed of half a target on the left side of the chart. Level 1 and Level 2 bullets appear on the right side of the chart.
Because half of the diagram is devoted to text, this layout can accommodate far more text than the Basic Target layout. The layout is suitable for short bullets of Level 2 text and can accommodate up to seven Level 1 text entries.
Figure 6.20 shows a Target List layout.
Figure 6.20 The Target List layout offers the target analogy on the left half, combined with plenty of space for text on the right side. Theme: Urban, Style: Simple Fill, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 5 to 6.
Basic Venn Charts
The Basic Venn layout illustrates two to seven overlapping circles. In the default layout, the circles overlap perfectly, which looks nice but seldom matches reality.
For diagrams with two to four shapes, the Level 1 and any Level 2 text is shown inside the circles. For five through seven shapes, the text is shown outside the circle.
As shown in Figure 6.21, the circles in the default Venn diagrams overlap perfectly.
Figure 6.21 This layout shows perfectly overlapping circles. Theme: Verve, Style: Intense Effect, Color: Colorful – Accent Colors.
In real life, Venn diagrams often show the relationship between entities that are different sizes and have different degrees of overlap.
In Figure 6.22, the size and placement of the two circles has been adjusted. From this diagram, the reader can determine
- The high school band is much larger than the community band.
- About a quarter of the high school band members are also in the community band.
- Just less than half of the community band members are in the high school band.
Figure 6.22 This layout conveys information about the membership of two organizations. Theme: Verve, Style: Polished, Color: Custom.
To create a diagram like the one in Figure 6.20, follow these steps:
- Insert a new SmartArt graphic. Use the Basic Venn layout.
- Type two entries for Level 1 text.
- Click on one circle (click away from the text, but inside the circle). A square with eight resize handles surrounds the circle.
- Click on a corner resize handle and drag inward until the shape is the correct size.
- Click on the square border, away from the resize handles, and drag the circle into the appropriate overlap with the first circle.
- To change the color of the circle, use the SmartArt Tools, Format, Shape Fill drop-down to select a new color.
Stacked Venn Charts
The Stacked Venn layout feels more like a target chart than a Venn diagram. Each successive circle is completely enclosed by the previous circle. This layout is best for Level 1 text. Any Level 2 text causes the Level 1 text to scale down. Level 2 text is shown below the Level 1 text in the circle.
This layout can be used to show either overlapping categories or growth from the inside circle to the outside.
Figure 6.23 shows a Stacked Venn layout illustrating overlapping categories.
Figure 6.23 This layout shows overlapping relationships. Theme: Apex, Style: Polished, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.
Figure 6.24 shows the growth from one year to the next. The scale of the 2006 circle didn’t look proportional in the default layout. To change the size of the circle, follow these steps:
- Click on the SmartArt diagram to select it.
- Click on the 2006 circle to display the eight resize handles.
- To keep the shape a circle, hold down the Shift key while you drag the top-right corner fill handle toward the center.
- After releasing the mouse, click on the border, but away from the fill handle. Drag the shape to the left to center it.
Figure 6.24 This Stacked Venn layout shows growth from one year to the next. The size of 2006 was adjusted slightly. Theme: Apex, Style: Inset, Color: Transparent Gradient Range – Accent 3.
Linear Venn Charts
The Linear Venn layout illustrates overlapping relationships in a sequence. The circles corresponding to Level 1 text appear in a straight line from left to right. The layout can accommodate a few lines of Level 2 text.
Figure 6.25 illustrates a Linear Venn diagram.
Figure 6.25 This layout shows interrelated entities in a sequence. Theme: Aspect, Style: Cartoon, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 4.
Figure 6.26 shows a diagram in the process of being built in Excel. Thirty-five circles extend to column CR. With columns out to XFD, you could, in theory, have a very long chart.
Figure 6.26 The Linear Venn diagram can handle more than seven shapes. Theme: Aspect, Style: Powder, Color: Colorful – Accent Colors.
Next Steps
Chapter 7, “Gallery of Hierarchy, Pyramid, and Matrix Charts,” introduces three categories that also show relationships. Hierarchical charts show a hierarchical relationship, in a generally rectangular view. Pyramid charts are great for showing hierarchical information in a pyramid. Matrix charts show hierarchical information in a rectangle.