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rmmcmenz
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Survey Software/Creating Charts

Feb 14, 2011 1:35 PM

We're currently using Illustrator to create charts for publication based on data collected through SnapSurveys software.

 

Basically, we export the survey data into an Excel file and then copy and paste into the table function to create the charts, which are then manipulated to, well, look pretty and display the information as clearly as we'd like it to.

 

This works, but it's relatively time intensive (especially for some issues of our publication where we're running several hundred charts), and does allow some room for error in the copying and pasting, so the question is:

 

Is anyone out there aware of/had any good experience with any survey software that can export more directly into a format that works within Illustrator?

 

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 
Replies
  • Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 15, 2011 2:33 AM   in reply to rmmcmenz

    There are two ways of working with chart data from Excel I have used. One is the approach that you are using, copying the data from Excel into the Illustrator chart builder. The other option is to build the charts the way you want them in Excel and then place these into Illustrator, either by cutting and pasting or by printing the chart to a PDF. It partly depends on what version of Excel you are using - Excel 2007/2010 can make fairly good looking charts which can be tweaked in Excel.

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 15, 2011 9:40 AM   in reply to rmmcmenz

    Is anyone out there aware of/had any good experience with any survey software that can export more directly into a format that works within Illustrator?

     

    You might have more luck reversing the question: What other software can render pretty charts from lots of data? EasyStat, Matlab and otehrs can and they all export vector files that can be imported in AI for further treatment...

     

    Mylenium

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 22, 2011 5:49 AM   in reply to rmmcmenz

    Full Disclosure: I work for a survey technology provider: Cvent.

     

    Probably not shockingly after the previous statement, but I recommend you test out Cvent. We recently upgraded our Presentations module which allows survey authors to create over twenty-four chart types, change the color themes, toggle 3D view on and off, as well as edit other aspects of the chart. I really think the presentations module could help take some of the manual work you're doing now out of the equation. But, of course, if the presentations module doesn't work, our Professional Services team may have some other ideas for how we could help you streamline the creation of the reports that are critical to your business process.

     

    Besides having a business-grade reporting engine, Cvent has over twenty question types (including drag and drop and sliding scales for more interactive surveys); several types of question logic to help you drill deeper into the things that matter to you while keeping the survey relevent to the participant; and outstanding customer support to help you along the way if you have any questions. Clients who have switched from other tools always talk about how easy it is to use, so that certainly wouldn't be a hold up as you get ramped up on a new system. In the past, we've even helped clients migrate their data so all the reporitng can stay in one place if you ever want to run cross survey reports (like if you compare quarter over quarter or annual reports to look for trends).

     

    If you're interested, I would recommend one of these three options:

    1. Sign up for a demo that is convient for you (we do them daily!) - http://www.cvent.com/en/solutions/survey-webinars.shtml

    2. Sign up for a free trial - http://www.cvent.com/en/sem/web-survey-free-trial.shtml

    3. Talk to one of our reps who would be more than happy to learn more about your use case and recommend a solution tailored exactly to your needs - you can do that by calling or chatting with a Survey Expert on our website!

     

    Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all!


    Thanks,

    Sherrie M

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 18, 2012 10:53 PM   in reply to rmmcmenz

    Here is a video!!

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3CJfBlZuW0

     

    Adobe illustrator CS3, M/S Excel 2003, HWP 2002(Korean Wordprocess),

     

    Macro Keyboard, script, Action ...

     
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