ValueSet SmartColumn

A ValueSet SmartColumn totals and displays the values from specific ValueSets for each task row.  A ValueSet SmartColumn will total only Type 2 and Type 4 ValueSets because they are specific to task rows. Type 2 values are entered by time period for each task, and Type 4 values reside in symbols on task rows. Optionally, indicator symbols can be displayed based on the values in the ValueSet SmartColumn.

Add and format a ValueSet SmartColumn

1. Choose Insert | Rows, Columns | New Column | ValueSet.

2. The ValueSet Options dialog box appears.

3. Under ValueSet to Use, choose an existing ValueSet.

   • If the ValueSet that needed under ValueSet to Use does not exist, the ValueSet SmartColumn can not be created. First, create the ValueSet, then create the ValueSet SmartColumn.

Optional Indicators

1. Do not display indicator symbols to display values only, then OK to exit.

2. OR, choose Pick the indicator symbology based upon the following conditions to display symbols, text, and/or color based on the column values.

3. Click the drop-down arrow to view 10 active/ignored indicators and their conditions. All indicators are Ignored until you create a condition for them to appear, becoming Active.  You can also choose to use one of three pre-selects to create Predefined Indicators.

4. Choose one of the ten settings. The Indicator Condition Settings dialog box opens, as shown below:

5. Choose an Indicator Symbol. These are the same symbols found in the toolbox. OR, choose to Fill the cell with the symbol color, not the symbol itself.

6. Optionally, enter any Indicator Text to appear with the symbol or color fill.

7. Choose the Symbol Color for the symbol or color fill.

8. Condition is based upon the value in a cell and enter numbers to establish a value range.

• The indicator will appear when a cell's value is greater than the first value and less than/equal to the second value.
• Use neither commas nor $ signs when entering values.
• Tips on entering a value range.

6. Choose OK to return to the list.

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 to display other indicators based on other conditions.

8. Choose a Symbol size for the indicator symbols.

9. Display numerical value also to display the ValueSet values.

10. Display numerical value also to display only the indicators.

11. Align the indicator symbols as a left, center, or right position in the column cell.

12. Choose OK return to the Column Properties dialog box to add a column heading title and format the column data for currency, alignment, and other selections.

Example 1: ValueSet SmartColumn

ValueSet SmartColumns can display indicator symbols, color-fills, and text based on values which fall within user-defined ranges of values.

As shown below, symbols automatically appear based on values which appear in the column cells. For values up to 300, the green triangle appears; for values from 301 to 700, the yellow square appears; for values above 700, the red arrow appears.

Example 2: ValueSet SmartColumn

The example below has two Type 2 ValueSets, "Budget" and "Costs."  Monthly budget values and cost values are entered for each task. The values are totalled for each month, then displayed and graphed below the schedule.

The "Budget per Task" and "Costs per Task" columns are ValueSet SmartColumns. The "Budget per Task" ValueSet SmartColumn totals the "Budget" Type 2 ValueSet values for each task row. The "Costs per Task" ValueSet SmartColumn totals the "Costs" Type 2 ValueSet values for each task row.

Thus, ValueSet SmartColumns can total values from selected Type 2 or Type 4 ValueSets.

The "Budget per Task" column also displays indicator symbols based on the column cell values.

Example 3: ValueSet SmartColumn

This example shows two Type 4 ValueSets, "Budget" and "Costs."  Budget values and cost values are entered within each symbol. The values are totalled for each month, then displayed and graphed below the schedule. If the symbols move, then the values move with them.

The "Budget per Task" and "Costs per Task" columns are ValueSet SmartColumns. The "Budget per Task" ValueSet SmartColumn totals the "Budget" Type 4 ValueSet values attached to symbols on each task row. The "Costs per Task" ValueSet SmartColumn totals the "Costs" Type 4 ValueSet values attached to symbols on each task row.

Thus, ValueSet SmartColumns can total values from selected Type 2 or Type 4 ValueSets.

The "Budget per Task" column also displays indicator symbols based on the column cell values.

 Note that a Values SmartColumn is different from a ValueSet SmartColumn.  Only Type 2 and Type 4 ValueSets can be used for a ValueSet SmartColumn. These are the only two ValueSets that have values specific to task rows.