Chapter 7. Gallery of Hierarchy, Pyramid, and Matrix Charts

This chapter covers 13 chart layouts that can be used to show matrices or hierarchies.

Note

The most common type of hierarchy chart, the Org Chart, is covered in Chapter 8, “Creating Organization Charts.” Org Charts have additional features such as Administrative Assistant boxes and hanging branches.

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The subtypes are

• Hierarchy—Includes six layouts designed to show a hierarchy in a rectangular layout. Hierarchy charts frequently include Level 3, Level 4, and beyond.
• Pyramid—Includes four layouts designed to show a hierarchy in a pyramid.
• Matrix—Includes three layouts to illustrate four quadrants of a rectangle.

Hierarchy Charts

Hierarchy charts are designed to show several levels of information, often with several branches. When you’re choosing a hierarchy chart, your main choice is whether you want the hierarchy to appear in a top-to-bottom fashion or in a left-to-right fashion. Horizontal Hierarchy and Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy layouts progress from left to right, while Hierarchy, Hierarchy List, and Labeled Hierarchy layouts progress from top to bottom.

The Table Hierarchy layout progresses from top to bottom, but each level is exactly the same width as the previous level, producing a solid rectangular diagram.

The hierarchy charts are the main category where you run into text beyond Level 2. It is common to have three, four, five, or more levels. Entering additional levels is simple in the text pane. You can use the Tab key to demote a text item from one level to a lower level.

Hierarchy Diagrams

The Hierarchy layout allows you to show hierarchical relationships progressing from top to bottom. Typically, this layout starts with a single entry of Level 1 text.

In Figure 7.1, three entries for Level 2 text appear below the Level 1 entry. They represent the three gray rectangles in the chart. The orange shapes in the final row are Level 5 text entries.

Figure 7.1 This hierarchy chart offers five levels. Theme: Median, Style: Moderate Effect, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 5 to 6.

To build this chart, work in the text pane, using the Tab key to demote a bullet point to the next lower level.

Figure 7.2 shows the text pane used to create the chart.

Figure 7.2 Build an outline in the text pane, and the SmartArt engine builds the proper diagram.

Note

All the Colorful styles apply a different color to each level. The author of this layout must not have expected a Level 5, because the Level 4 color is reused for additional levels.

The diagram in Figure 7.1 is very wide. It might be better to show the Level 3 boxes below the Gallery as a vertical list. If you convert this style to an Org Chart, you have this ability. See Chapter 8.

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Horizontal Hierarchy Charts

The Horizontal Hierarchy layout runs from left to right. As such, it is possible to create even more levels on a landscape PowerPoint slide. As you can see from Figure 7.3, which shows a tree designed to help you pick a SmartArt graphics layout, this type of chart is perfect for decision trees.

Figure 7.3 A horizontal hierarchy layout works well for decision trees. Theme: Metro, Simple Fill, Color: Accent 2-1.

The example shown in Figure 7.3 includes seven levels of text.

Hierarchy List Charts

The Hierarchy List layout displays a row of Level 1 shapes at the top of the diagram. Additional shapes appear below the Level 1 shape for each Level 2 bullet point. Any Level 3 bullet points are fit inside the Level 2 shapes. This layout differs from the other hierarchy charts in that it usually has many Level 1 entries.

This layout is good for showing multiple lists. Enter the title of each list as Level 1 text and use Level 2 for the contents of the list.

Figure 7.4 shows a Hierarchy List layout displaying four lists.

Figure 7.4 Each shape at the top is a Level 1 entry. Theme: Opulent, Style: Flat Scene, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.

Table Hierarchy Charts

The Table Hierarchy layout provides a hierarchy chart without any connecting lines. Each level of the chart spans the entire width of the canvas.

If you have a single Level 1 bullet, it spans the entire width of the diagram, hovering above all the Level 2 bullets. This creates a nearly solid rectangle of hierarchical information. It is a visually interesting twist from the typical hierarchy chart.

One problem with this layout, however, is that the width of any given block is determined by the number of lower-level blocks under the block. This creates variances in block size, which the reader might assume indicates that one block is more important than the other blocks.

For example, in Figure 7.5, the Consulting block takes up 44% of the width of the diagram. This happens because 5 of the 11 Level 3 blocks belong to the consulting group. This could be misleading, particularly if Consulting is just a tiny division of the company.

Figure 7.5 This layout illustrates a hierarchy without any connecting lines. Theme: Oriel, Style: Moderate Effect, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 5.

Figure 7.5 shows a diagram in Table Hierarchy layout.

Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy Charts

The Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy layout can create a cool layout, but the requirements for setting up the layout are not intuitive. The layout offers a horizontal hierarchy chart, progressing from left to right. Each level of the chart lies in a colored band with a title. Figure 7.6 illustrates this chart layout.

Figure 7.6 Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy includes a hierarchy chart and then colored bands outlining each level. Theme: Origin, Style: Subtle Effect, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 3.

To create this chart, follow these rules:

1. Create a single Level 1 item.
2. Beneath the first Level 1 item, build the complete hierarchy of Level 2, Level 3, and so on.
3. Count the number of levels in the hierarchy, including the first level. The chart in Figure 7.6 includes three levels of text. Remember this number for step 4.
4. At the bottom of the text pane, add new Level 1 entries. The first new Level 1 entry represents the title for Level 1. In the current example, you would add three new Level 1 entries at the bottom of the text pane. Do not add any Level 2 items to these bottom Level 1 bullets.

When the number of bottom Level 1 items exactly matches the number of levels in the hierarchy, the colored bands perfectly line up with your levels.

Labeled Hierarchy Charts

The Labeled Hierarchy layout is a sideways version of Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy charts. As with Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy charts, the rules for specifying the titles for each level are difficult to figure out.

To set up the chart, follow these steps:

1. Set up the hierarchy under the first Level 1 item.
2. Count the number of levels in the hierarchy, including the single Level 1 box.
3. At the bottom of the text pane, add new Level 1 items, one for each level of the hierarchy. These new Level 1 items should not contain any Level 2 items.

The diagram snaps into place when the number of Level 1 items equals the number of levels plus 1.

Figure 7.7 illustrates this chart layout. The word Book is the second Level 1 entry.

Figure 7.7 Labeled Hierarchy includes a hierarchy chart and then colored bands outlining each level. Theme: Solstice, Style: Cartoon, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.

It is easy to confuse the two labeled hierarchy layouts. One inadvertent extra Level 1 item transformed Figure 7.7 to a completely unusable layout, as shown in Figure 7.8. If your diagram becomes unreadable, go back to the text pane and ensure that the main hierarchy is under the first Level 1 item.

Figure 7.8 If your main hierarchy is not under the first Level 1 item, your diagram is not acceptable. Theme: Solstice, Style: Cartoon, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 4 to 5.

Pyramid Charts

The four pyramid charts are meant to show a single hierarchy of items. The hierarchy might be foundation-based, with the items in the wide base of the pyramid supporting later items. Or, the pyramid could be used to represent proportional items.

Basic Pyramid

The Basic Pyramid layout contains a pyramid with the base at the bottom and the point at the top. The first entries of Level 1 text appear at the top of the pyramid. Any Level 1 text is shown in the slices of the pyramid. If the point of the pyramid needs to contain large text, it forces the text in all the slices to be smaller.

In this case, you could try to find Dr. Maslow to determine if he could rework his hierarchy to use something shorter than self-fulfillment (16 characters!) as the top level of the hierarchy. If that does not work, trying moving the longer text out to Level 2 text, because any Level 2 text is shown in boxes to the right of the pyramid. These boxes, particularly at the top of the pyramid, offer a lot of space for text.

Figure 7.9 shows a diagram with only Level 1 text. Figure 7.10 shows the same diagram with Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Figure 7.9 The Basic Pyramid diagram is limited in how much Level 1 text can be shown in the top shape. Theme: Currency, Style: Inset, Color: Gradient Range – Accent 1.

Figure 7.10 Any Level 2 text appears to the right of the Basic Pyramid. Theme: Paper, Style: Inset, Color: Colored Fill – Accent 1.

Pyramid List Diagram

The Pyramid List layout solves the problem of long text trying to fit into the small triangle at the top of the pyramid. Each Level 1 text entry is placed in a rectangular box that overlays the pyramid.

Because each box for each Level 1 text entry is the same width, you can easily fit longer entries at the top of the pyramid. The style works best for only Level 1 text. Any Level 2 text is forced into the Level 1 rectangles, making all font sizes too small.

Figure 7.11 shows a Pyramid List diagram.

Figure 7.11 The Pyramid List diagram handles longer entries for Level 1 text. Theme: Module, Style: Sunset Scene, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 3.

Inverted Pyramid Diagram

The Inverted Pyramid diagram offers the smallest part of the pyramid at the bottom of the diagram. You can use this diagram when you want to show the filtering of items from a large population to a targeted list.

When your goal is to try to reach a smaller population, use the Inverted Pyramid. This layout is best for only Level 1 text.

Figure 7.12 shows an Inverted Pyramid layout.

Figure 7.12 The Inverted Pyramid layout emphasizes the larger shapes in the pyramid. Theme: Equity, Style: Sunset Scene, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 3.

Tip

Use a blank entry for the last Level 1 text item to produce a point shape without words. This allows the final shape to appear in a larger area, leading to an increased font size throughout the diagram.

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Segmented Pyramid Diagram

The Segmented Pyramid layout works when you have exactly one, four, or nine entries for Level 1 text. This produces a triangle with one, two, or three rows, respectively.

The chart can be used to show somewhat of a hierarchical relationship. You might have one leader at the top, with three VPs in the middle and five managers at the bottom. In the chart with four shapes, you can show how the third shape touches all the other shapes to illustrate how concepts are interconnected.

Overall, this is an interesting chart with a variety of uses, provided your data fills one, four, or nine entries.

Figure 7.13 shows the three styles of this layout.

Figure 7.13 The Segmented Pyramid layout can be created with one, four, or nine shapes. Theme: Flow, Style: Metallic Scene, Color: Gradient Loop – Accent 1.

Tip

If you have three shapes, try entering a space as the third Level 1 bullet, with your other Level 1 text entered in the first, second, and fourth bullets. Creative use of blank lines within the text pane can allow balanced diagrams with three to eight shapes. Figure 7.14 shows a layout with six bullets and three empty shapes.

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Figure 7.14 If you have three through eight shapes, creative use of blank lines in the text layout pane can create a balanced diagram. Theme: Paper, Style: Polished, Color: Colored Fill - Accent 2.

Matrix Charts

The Matrix diagrams are all actually designed to show four quadrants. As such, you are limited to four Level 1 text entries.

Office 2007 provides three built-in matrix layouts. The Basic Matrix includes a decorative diamond behind the matrix. The Grid Matrix includes an x,y coordinate axis behind the matrix. The Title Matrix adds a fifth shape: a title in the center of the matrix.

Basic Matrix

The Basic Matrix layout includes four quadrants. A decorative diamond appears behind the layout. This style is suitable for including Level 2 text. This text appears as bullet points in each square.

Figure 7.15 shows a Basic Matrix layout with only Level 1 text, while Figure 7.16 shows a Basic Matrix layout with Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Figure 7.15 The Basic Matrix includes four shapes with a decorative diamond behind. Theme: Concourse, Style: Bird’s Eye Scene, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 5 to 6.

Figure 7.16 Level 2 text fits well within the Basic Matrix layout. Theme: Concourse, Style: Polished, Color: Gradient Range - Accent 3.

Grid Matrix

The Grid Matrix includes four rounded rectangles arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix. Between the rectangles, the layout includes arrows crossed into a coordinate grid axis.

The layout is limited to four entries of Level 1 text. Any Level 2 text is shown inside the quadrants.

Figure 7.17 shows a Grid Matrix.

Figure 7.17 The Grid Matrix adds a coordinate axis between the shapes. Theme: Paper, Style: Moderate Effect, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 5 to 6.

Titled Matrix

The Titled Matrix chart adds an extra rectangle in the center of the matrix to be used as a title.

Setting up this layout is a bit different than the other matrix layouts.

The title needs to be the first and only Level 1 text entry. The four quadrant boxes then become the Level 2 entries beneath the Title. Any Level 3 text is treated as bullet points within each quadrant.

Figure 7.18 shows a Titled Matrix, along with the text pane.

Figure 7.18 The title is the only Level 1 item in the Titled Matrix layout. Theme: Civic, Style: Brick Scene, Color: Colorful Range – Accent Colors 3 to 4.

Next Steps

In Chapter 8, you learn how to create a particular type of hierarchical chart: the organization chart. This particular style includes the capability to recast branches as horizontal or vertical, plus the capability to add an administrative assistant.