The Picking Optimization file using heatmaps has be re-uploaded too.
Same thing for the Cycle Plot example that had Excel crashing ... don't know why though :(
Ooops !
I just made some changes on the v3.3 for XL 2003, in order to propose Transparency parameters to Heatmaps.
Optimize warehouse picking efficiency with heatmap
Lets take a warehouse where goods are stored on shelves or pallets.
To prepare orders, you need to walk between the shelves and pick small items that are on your picking list and put them in a box.
Obviously, the shorter distance you need to walk to prepare an order, the more efficient you will be : less distance per order = more orders per hours.
One measure to implement is to setup 2 circuits :
- The short circuit, on which all fast movers products can be found. Ideally those products should cover 80% of your orders.
- The long circuits, on which all products, including slow movers can be picked
Heatmaps can help to quickly identify the slow movers and most ordered products.
A very optimized warehouse layout should look like this :
Fast movers (red) on the short circuit. (blue) Slow movers (green) on the long circuit (orange).
In this Excel file, I have :
a 2 columns table, with the picking place ID and the picking frequency.
The simple layout of the warehouse in 2 versions :
Finally, 2 cells containing the Heatmaps formulas.
The transparent heatmap is layed over the layout showing the picking IDs.
With the data set I used, you can clearly see that the product on location A20 shouldn't be there.
Fast movers (red) on the short circuit. (blue) Slow movers (green) on the long circuit (orange).In this Excel file, I have :
a 2 columns table, with the picking place ID and the picking frequency.
The simple layout of the warehouse in 2 versions :
- One with cells containing a VLookup formula in order to retrieve the picking frequency of each location
- One with the picking locations ID
Finally, 2 cells containing the Heatmaps formulas.
The transparent heatmap is layed over the layout showing the picking IDs.
With the data set I used, you can clearly see that the product on location A20 shouldn't be there.
It should be at the very beginnig of the circuit, replacing the product located in B1. Same thing for D15, D12 and the orange location on the left of the blue dashed line.
I implemented this is a fruit and veg. warehouse some time ago.
Productivity increase was spectacular and workers happy to reduce their mileage ...
Now... why bother with heatmaps when this can be done with simple conditionnal formatting ?
Well, you might want to regroup products according to another criteria, that requires more than 3 colors.
I implemented this is a fruit and veg. warehouse some time ago.
Productivity increase was spectacular and workers happy to reduce their mileage ...
Now... why bother with heatmaps when this can be done with simple conditionnal formatting ?
Well, you might want to regroup products according to another criteria, that requires more than 3 colors.
Cycle plots with sparklines... in no time !
In January 2008, Naomi Robbins wrote an excellent article on how to display the evolution of seasonal data.
Finally, Charley Kyd proposed a very good tutorial on how to create cycle plots with Excel ... a rather long way, especially in the formatting process.
My turn to propose the Sparklines alternative. It took me less than a minute to create this chart.
It consits in 12 line charts, one per month, displayed in a narrow cell.
All cells obviously share the same vertical scale.
The red and blue points represent the minimum and maximum over 12 years.
It consits in 12 line charts, one per month, displayed in a narrow cell.
All cells obviously share the same vertical scale.
The red and blue points represent the minimum and maximum over 12 years.
Product sales analysis
Alessandro B. has been using Sparklines for Excel almost since the first version.
He is kindly sharing one of his sales dashboard, : Here
Note : not all cells contain Sparklines formulas
He is kindly sharing one of his sales dashboard, : Here
Note : not all cells contain Sparklines formulas
Clearly and Simply... great templates for dashboards.
For the Excel user looking for serious dashboard templates and and first class tips, I strongly recommand to visit Robert's new blog : Clearly and Simply.
My favorite posts so far :
The best of all ? Almost NO VBA involved...
A site to bookmark ... NOW !
Keep the posts coming Robert.
My favorite posts so far :
- Take care of customers : provides a superb, minimalist template of dynamic customer satisfaction dashboard.
- Lithuania at a glance : another brilliant example of clean and complete layout.
The best of all ? Almost NO VBA involved...
A site to bookmark ... NOW !
Keep the posts coming Robert.
Variance analysis example
Here is an example file of a variance analysis I had to do recently, including raw data.
It works pretty well, although I would prefer to have separate reports for sales and margin, and not split in 2 consecutive lines like here.
The file is available here.
Note : this file does not contain any code. The Sparklines add-in must be installed before using it.
I modified the code on my machine in order to identify bars that have in this case more than 100% variance (white triangle in the screenshot).
It works pretty well, although I would prefer to have separate reports for sales and margin, and not split in 2 consecutive lines like here.
The file is available here.
Note : this file does not contain any code. The Sparklines add-in must be installed before using it.
I modified the code on my machine in order to identify bars that have in this case more than 100% variance (white triangle in the screenshot).
Excel, Palo and Sparklines
Cuboo is promoting openBI : Business Intelligence based on open source software.
His last post gives an example of how Palo, Excel and Sparklines for Excel can be used to create dashboards.
Not only Palo is a powerfull open-source database and Olap server, it also provides a great add-in, that allows users to easily embed pivot-table in Excel... very powerfull indeed.
The last step is to integrate sparklines for quick and efficient visualization.
Here is his article : “Pimp my spreadsheet” with Palo, and a screenshot of a dashboard using Sparklines for Excel.
His last post gives an example of how Palo, Excel and Sparklines for Excel can be used to create dashboards.
Not only Palo is a powerfull open-source database and Olap server, it also provides a great add-in, that allows users to easily embed pivot-table in Excel... very powerfull indeed.
The last step is to integrate sparklines for quick and efficient visualization.
Here is his article : “Pimp my spreadsheet” with Palo, and a screenshot of a dashboard using Sparklines for Excel.
Stick to the classics ?
I could not resist to post the VariChart version of the previous infographic.
It looks more readable to me...
File here.
It looks more readable to me...
File here.
Yes we can !
Robert just sent me an excellent example of heatmap use, based on a NY Times infographic and a recent post on Juice Analytics.
Juice Analytics gave up trying with Excel, but Robert said "Yes we can" et voilà !
The NY Times chart.
Robert's replica with Sparklines for XL heatMap function.
The file is available for download here.
Note : Robert added one line in the code to make the circles transparent, so the text behind could be seen.
Robert is also contribuiting to Chandoo's excellent blog Pointy Haired Dilbert.
Juice Analytics gave up trying with Excel, but Robert said "Yes we can" et voilà !
The NY Times chart.
Robert's replica with Sparklines for XL heatMap function.
The file is available for download here.
Note : Robert added one line in the code to make the circles transparent, so the text behind could be seen.
Robert is also contribuiting to Chandoo's excellent blog Pointy Haired Dilbert.
6.795 m = 22.293 ft
Yes, we did it !!
On December 11th at 1 PM, after 3 days on the mountain, we reached the summit of Mount Pissis (6.795m), the 3rd highest mountain of Americas and second highest volcano on earth.
As Aconcagua's -6992m- season had not started and distant Ojos del Salado - 6880m- was under strong winds.. we probably were the highest men on earth that day...
Great moments indeed, but certainly one he hardest thing I've ever done.
More pictures here and here.
Back to work... and to Sparklines.
On December 11th at 1 PM, after 3 days on the mountain, we reached the summit of Mount Pissis (6.795m), the 3rd highest mountain of Americas and second highest volcano on earth.
As Aconcagua's -6992m- season had not started and distant Ojos del Salado - 6880m- was under strong winds.. we probably were the highest men on earth that day...
Great moments indeed, but certainly one he hardest thing I've ever done.
More pictures here and here.
Back to work... and to Sparklines.
UDF, add-ins and sharing files
Here is one comment posted recently :
"I am having some trouble with sharing files.
If I pass my file to a co-worker who has installed the add-in,all the formulas fail to work and checking them , cell formula changed to :
='C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\ApplicationData\Microsoft\AddIns\Sparklines_3.2.2.RNO.xla'!linechart('PI Data2'!I11:I299,,0,150,G13/24)"
Annoying indeed...
The first versions of sparklines were Excel files that could be used as templates, with the advantage that the VBA code was embedded into the file, so no problem to share those files.
This no longer the case with add-ins.
The *.xla file, containing the code is saved in your add-in library, which location changes for each different user :C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\ApplicationData\Microsoft\AddIns\
To solve this, the add-in release I just posted (3.2.3 for XL2003 + 3.2.6 for XL2000) will now be installed in C:\Program files\Sparklines... and nowhere else !
This should satisfy many users, but I already can hear "I am working wit Citrix", "I have not admin rights, I cannot install anything on C:"... one step at a time, we'll address that later.
PS : Remember to uninstall the previous versions of the add-in (last option of the Sparklines menu) before installing this new release.
PS2 : I'll be off-line for 2 weeks... absolutely unreachable (yes, it is still possible !), mountain climbing in Argentina between Mount Incahuasi (6.610m) and Pissis (6.795m)... see ya!
"I am having some trouble with sharing files.
If I pass my file to a co-worker who has installed the add-in,all the formulas fail to work and checking them , cell formula changed to :
='C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\ApplicationData\Microsoft\AddIns\Sparklines_3.2.2.RNO.xla'!linechart('PI Data2'!I11:I299,,0,150,G13/24)"
Annoying indeed...
The first versions of sparklines were Excel files that could be used as templates, with the advantage that the VBA code was embedded into the file, so no problem to share those files.
This no longer the case with add-ins.
The *.xla file, containing the code is saved in your add-in library, which location changes for each different user :C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\ApplicationData\Microsoft\AddIns\
To solve this, the add-in release I just posted (3.2.3 for XL2003 + 3.2.6 for XL2000) will now be installed in C:\Program files\Sparklines... and nowhere else !
This should satisfy many users, but I already can hear "I am working wit Citrix", "I have not admin rights, I cannot install anything on C:"... one step at a time, we'll address that later.
PS : Remember to uninstall the previous versions of the add-in (last option of the Sparklines menu) before installing this new release.
PS2 : I'll be off-line for 2 weeks... absolutely unreachable (yes, it is still possible !), mountain climbing in Argentina between Mount Incahuasi (6.610m) and Pissis (6.795m)... see ya!
First example file
Nixnut posted an example workbook on how to use Sparklines for Excel functions in dashboards.
This file mimics the winning dashboard of the 2006 Data Visualization Contest.
You can read Stephen Few's analysis of the original dashboards here.
This file mimics the winning dashboard of the 2006 Data Visualization Contest.
You can read Stephen Few's analysis of the original dashboards here.
Release 3.2.3 for Excel 2003
I just posted a new release for Excel 2003 here.
This version includes logarithmic horizontal scales (required for the OECD file of my previous post).
It also brings some changes on Nixnut last statistical functions : StripeChart and SpreadChart used to analyze a population distribution.
It solves a clipboard issue (the clipboard was erased whenever the "Sparklines" menu was re-created).
I hope you will find those improvement helpful.
In the future I will post some samples on how to use the function, individually or organized within a dashboard.
This version includes logarithmic horizontal scales (required for the OECD file of my previous post).
It also brings some changes on Nixnut last statistical functions : StripeChart and SpreadChart used to analyze a population distribution.
It solves a clipboard issue (the clipboard was erased whenever the "Sparklines" menu was re-created).
I hope you will find those improvement helpful.
In the future I will post some samples on how to use the function, individually or organized within a dashboard.
How to use BoxPlot charts
Jon Peltier wrote a post on his blog regarding a chart from The Economist on “Income distribution by decile in selected OECD countries”.
Here is a simple interpretation of this chart using "boxplot" charts with standard and logarithmic scale :
You can download the excel data file here and use it once the Sparklines for Excel add-in is installed on your computer.
Here is a simple interpretation of this chart using "boxplot" charts with standard and logarithmic scale :
Release 3.2.5 for Excel 2000.
I have had a great deal of help from Holland during the last weeks.
Nixnut is using XL-2000. He is very knowledgeable about statistics, and rewrote some (big) parts of the code.
Here is Nixnut last XL-2000 version of Sparklines for Excel.
This release bring some new charts :
StripeChart :
It shows a vertical marker line for each value in the range and optionally a taller red line for the average mean. The result is a graph with the distribution of the values in the range.
SpreadChart :
A lot like the StripeChart except it shows the frequency distribution of the values in the range in one of three styles: stacked (default), spread or jittered.
It uses dots for the data points.
XBoxPlot (Extended Boxplots). A bit experimental. These boxplots take a range as input and calculate values for whiskers, hatch marks, boxes and outliers as necessary.
There are different classes of boxplots: Tukey (default), 5NS (five number summary), 7NS (seven number summary), and Bowley.
There are also two styles: Classic (default) and Neo. The Neo style shows bars instead of whiskers.
Visible enhancements of existing functions :
A great deal of very useful Sparklines, dense, self explanatory and easy to embed in dashboards.
This new version is not documented yet...
Well, it seems that I will have to catch up with the XL2003 version... any volunteer for XL2007 ?
Nixnut is using XL-2000. He is very knowledgeable about statistics, and rewrote some (big) parts of the code.
Here is Nixnut last XL-2000 version of Sparklines for Excel.
This release bring some new charts :
StripeChart :
It shows a vertical marker line for each value in the range and optionally a taller red line for the average mean. The result is a graph with the distribution of the values in the range. SpreadChart :
A lot like the StripeChart except it shows the frequency distribution of the values in the range in one of three styles: stacked (default), spread or jittered.It uses dots for the data points.
XBoxPlot (Extended Boxplots). A bit experimental. These boxplots take a range as input and calculate values for whiskers, hatch marks, boxes and outliers as necessary.
There are different classes of boxplots: Tukey (default), 5NS (five number summary), 7NS (seven number summary), and Bowley.
There are also two styles: Classic (default) and Neo. The Neo style shows bars instead of whiskers.
Visible enhancements of existing functions :
- Forecast marker for Bulletchart and RevBulletChart
- Improved "Redraw" and "Delete" routines.
- Version number not included in file name, for easier upgrade.
A great deal of very useful Sparklines, dense, self explanatory and easy to embed in dashboards.
This new version is not documented yet...
Well, it seems that I will have to catch up with the XL2003 version... any volunteer for XL2007 ?
New set of Sparklines UDF
Sparklines v3.2.2 is available on Sourceforge.
This new version can be used as a stand alone workbook(*.xls) or as a permanent Excel add-in (*.xla).
Creation of sparklines is made available through a menu and a toolbar, or by typing the function directly in a cell.
Get a copy of the file here .
last Version 3.2 for Excel 2003 - October 24th 2008
To insert a Sparkline, use the Sparkline Menu or Toolbar.
Fill the function argumentsin the Function Wizard.
Some Sparklines do not display properly when first created with the Function Wizard.
Just update them with the "Redraw Sparklines" option of the menu or toolbar.
Please give me some feedback, share your ideas and I will do my best to improve the functions.
This new version can be used as a stand alone workbook(*.xls) or as a permanent Excel add-in (*.xla).
Creation of sparklines is made available through a menu and a toolbar, or by typing the function directly in a cell.
Get a copy of the file here .
last Version 3.2 for Excel 2003 - October 24th 2008Several versions are available for download :
- Version 3.2.2 the last one for XL 2003 only . CAN BE INSTALLED AS AN ADD-IN.
- For Excel 2007 users, use the Template file (no interactive examples)
- Version 2.3.1 Mac, tested on Excel 2004 for Apple Mac.
To insert a Sparkline, use the Sparkline Menu or Toolbar.
Fill the function argumentsin the Function Wizard.
Some Sparklines do not display properly when first created with the Function Wizard.
Just update them with the "Redraw Sparklines" option of the menu or toolbar.
Please give me some feedback, share your ideas and I will do my best to improve the functions.
Heatmaps
It is now possible to create arrays of PieCharts, of variable sizes and colors, through the Heatmap() function.
In addition to the disc position in the array, 3 variables are displayed :
In addition to the disc position in the array, 3 variables are displayed :
- Color scale
- Size variation
- Size of the slice
Obviously I do not recommend using it for large arrays, but I believe that it works pretty well up to 5 x 5 arrays and 4 colors.
Versions log
Sparklines v 3.2
New Features
Minor Changes
Sparklines v 3.0
New Features
- Possibility to install as an add-in for Excel. Take care if you want to distribute files created with the add-in, the Sparklines function will not work on other users' PC.
- Menu and Toolbar - All functions can be accessed via those 2 means
- Vertical ScaleLine - Display a a vertical measure scale next to Linecharts, BarCharts or Heatmaps. Choose left or right size.
Minor Changes
- Heatmap - now includes the possibility to create arrays of piecharts, with variable size and colors
- LineChart - Corrected error handling of min and max values
- StackedChart - Reviewed the display of legend, in order to fit in segments
- Pareto- Reviewed the display of legend
Sparklines v 3.0
- All charts - added possibility to embed intermediary formulas inside the UDFs)
- All charts - Each Sparklines is properly renamed (Type, active sheet and position)
- PieChart - New type of chart Heatmap - New type of chart, suitable for 2D and 3D heatmaps (Size + Color)
- Boxplot - New type of chart
- BarChart Added one new parameter (color) to choose the color of the bars
- LineChart - Added parameters for colors of lines
- BulletChart - Added possibility to choose a color scheme
- ScaleLine - Added 3 text zone (Left ; center ; right) and choice of font size
- VariChart - Added possibility to choose a color scheme
- Color Scales pdf file- 2 separate sheets with well balanced color scales.
- Macro to delete Sparklines on the active sheet, but Sparklines only.
Scaleline() specifications
BulletChart() and RevBulletChart() specifications
BulletCharts colors can be modified via additional parameter "ColorScheme"
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