Excel Services: Charting and Visual Analysis

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I have been extremely busy lately and haven't been able to update this blog as much as I would like. However, I have been speaking with many of you frequently over the email. I'm glad I was able to help most of you out. Please keep the questions coming, I love hearing from customers.

Excel Services Charting vs Excel Charting: What's the Diff?

Excel Services Charting work very differently from Excel Charts. Excel Services Charts:

  • Load as PNGs (Pictures) rather than objects
  • Cannot be selected, moved, or created
  • Do not support pictures, or Objects on top of them
  • Do not support gradients
  • Most importantly, all 3D charts are down-converted to 2D charts

However, they do update based on the cell reference that was updated (via Parameters)

Example of a 3D to 2D chart conversion

 

What type of charts are Unsupported?

Surface Charts and Grouped Charts