Survey Graphing Magic
I've used graphing plug-ins with FileMaker. I've also used the Google Chart Tools at http://code.google.com/apis/charttools/. But, for some reason, having the charting integrated into FileMaker directly... well, it's become a new obsession.
It's like having your toothbrush right next to your sink, versus downstairs in the kitchen. You don't have to "go get it" in order to use it. Whereas, with a plug-in or service based api, you're adding a level of complexity. "Does the client have the plug-in?", although easily solved with Auto-update or "Will the Internet go down?" when using a service.
So my latest and most exciting use of FileMaker 11 graphing, is one where I use a free service to collect survey responses, easily export them import into FileMaker and I have my survey responses within a super short period of time - it's all about leverage these days.
Add on some visual appeal, print to PDF and you've got some happy people. Because everyone likes looking at a graph instead of hard numbers. It creates relevancy and meaning where the numbers alone are just plain boring.
In this video, I present some VERY valuable information with regards to working with the graphing tool in FileMaker 11. Add to this, my secret information about how I easily collect the information for free and you've got one heck of a solution!
Comments
Graphing FMP with forms
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the video (I subscribed for this) and have enjoyed various other contributions you've provided via podcasts, etc..
I realize the focal point of the video was graphing within FMP, but the integration of the form service was especially of interest.
In this video, I was hoping you'd discuss an automated way of importing the survey data vs. manually pulling in the survey data into csv and then manually uploading. For example, a way to leverage web 2.0 form data collection tools (ie Google forms OR other services like JotForm). I want to use this type of process to not only collect survey info but incorporate it for various other data collection that need to be aggregated and reported on daily.
Is there more info on the above you can point me to?
thanks,
Andrew
Combo Chart
Whats wrong here with my Combo Chart code?
"data:text/html," & "<html>
¶ <head>
¶ <script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"https://www.google.com/jsapi\"></script>
<script type=\"text/javascript\">
google.charts.load('current', {'packages':['corechart']});
google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawVisualization);
function drawVisualization() {
// Some raw data (not necessarily accurate)
var data = google.visualization.arrayToDataTable([
['Month', 'Bolivia', 'Ecuador', 'Madagascar', 'Papua New Guinea', 'Rwanda', 'Average'],
['2004/05', 165, 938, 522, 998, 450, 614.6],
['2005/06', 135, 1120, 599, 1268, 288, 682],
['2006/07', 157, 1167, 587, 807, 397, 623],
['2007/08', 139, 1110, 615, 968, 215, 609.4],
['2008/09', 136, 691, 629, 1026, 366, 569.6]
]);
var options = {
title : 'Monthly Coffee Production by Country',
vAxis: {title: 'Cups'},
hAxis: {title: 'Month'},
seriesType: 'bars',
series: {5: {type: 'line'}}
};
var chart = new google.visualization.ComboChart(document.getElementById('chart_div'));
chart.draw(data, options);
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<div id=\"chart_div\" style=\"width: 900px; height: 500px;\"></div>
</body>
</html>"