Working in Excel
NOTE: Import commands are only available in Advanced Mode.
Maps can be created using Microsoft Excel and then imported directly into Process Navigator.
CAUTION! Always create backup copies of your process maps before importing data from external sources.
Data imported from an XML catalogue or from Microsoft Excel will overwrite information in your existing process map(s). If enabled, you can use Rollback to restore process maps when you cancel an import action. Unless the files have been deleted, you can also 'recover' one or more files from the Rollback folder, using copy and paste techniques.
You can create and edit process maps using Microsoft Excel through Process Navigator’s import and export options to transfer data between the two applications. Use a Data Manager to update an Excel file from a Visio file, or vice versa, without needing to fully overwrite the target file. You can also use a Data Manager to maintain synchronised Visio and Excel versions of a Process Map.
Process maps can be imported from Excel XLS or XLSX formats.
Previously exported files that have been edited/ updated can be added to the library without the need for duplicate data entry.
Process Navigator is watching for changes.
Files are only imported if they are newer than those in the multi-map root.
Select Multi-Map > Import > Generate Maps from Excel Files*. The connectors on these maps will be redrawn by Visio. Any connector routings that have been made by an author will be lost.
NOTE: Off-Page Connectors are not created automatically when maps are generated from Excel files. Use the Multi-Map > Refresh Off-Page Connectors command to create OPCs in Excel-generated maps.
The following pages provide more information on creating the Excel file:
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum Requirements | Describes the Minimum requirements for the Excel file. |
| Adding More Detail | Describes how to add more detail including drill-downs. |
| Specifying Multiple Map Output Files | Describes how to specify that there should be Multiple Maps. |
| Exporting Non-Triaster Shapes | Describes how to convert Non-triaster Shapes into Triaster Shapes. |
| Ordering Shapes in Excel | Describes how to reorder the shapes. |
Excel Import/Export commands
| Menu command | Toolbar button | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Map > Import >Generate Maps from Excel Files* |  |
Create a new map from an Excel file. |
| Multi-Map > Export >Multiple Microsoft Office Excel Files |  |
Create individual Microsoft Excel files for each selected process map. |
| Multi-Map > Export >Single Microsoft Office Excel File |  |
Create a single Microsoft Office Excel file from all the data in the selected maps. |
*Import commands are only available in Advanced (Business Analyst) Mode. If you have not enabled this mode, the toolbar buttons will appear grey and are disabled.
You can also start a new Process map in Excel, using Triaster’s sample template, by choosing File > New Excel Process Map.