Learn how to build your own Xcelsius dashboards, with this practical book. It explains how to use all the features and functionality in Xcelsius, while highlighting typical scenarios where each feature can be used to solve business problems. You’ll also learn how to customize the Xcelsius components, themes, and data connections so you can use Xcelsius to the fullest extent.

Familiarize Yourself with Xcelsius
Become acquainted with the features and options, including the menus, toolbar, and canvas, understand the purpose of each command in Xcelsius, and know how to adjust the settings of your dashboard.

User Interface (UI) Components
Explore the available UI components, including charts, menus, and selectors, and learn what component to use for certain scenarios.

Design Process
Learn the typical steps to design a powerful dashboard that will empower your users and enable them to make smarter business decisions.

Data Connectivity with Xcelsius
Understand the data connectivity options, including local Excel files and remote web services.

Comprehensive Hands-On Tutorial
Put into action what you’ve learned, and create a sample dashboard that contains charts, selectors, single value components, texts, arts, backgrounds, and data connection.

Highlights

· Menu
· Toolbar
· Components
· Canvas
· Object Browser
· Properties
· UI Components
· Bind Data
· Preview & Export
· Trend Analysis
· Built-in Excel Spreadsheet
· XML Data
· External Interface Connection
· Drill Down
· Dynamic Visibility

The Authors

Ray Li is a business intelligence professional currently working as a consultant.
Evan DeLodder has extensive experience creating engaging, innovative business solutions.

Table of Contents

• ... Acknowledgments ... 15
• 1 ... Introduction to Xcelsius 2008 ... 17
• 1.1 ... What’s Xcelsius? ... 17
• 1.1.1 ... Installation ... 18
• 1.1.2 ... Relationship with Excel ... 19
• 1.1.3 ... History ... 19
• 1.2 ... What Can Xcelsius 2008 Do? ... 19
• 1.2.1 ... Data Visualization Capabilities ... 20
• 1.2.2 ... Data Connectivity Capabilities ... 26
• 1.2.3 ... Distribution ... 27
• 1.3 ... Reasons to Choose Xcelsius ... 27
• 1.4 ... Xcelsius in the SAP BusinessObjects Portfolio ... 28
• 1.5 ... Summary ... 29
• 2 ... Get Familiar with Xcelsius 2008 ... 31
• 2.1 ... Menu ... 31
• 2.1.1 ... File ... 31
• 2.1.2 ... Edit ... 50
• 2.1.3 ... View ... 51
• 2.1.4 ... Format ... 56
• 2.1.5 ... Data ... 59
• 2.1.6 ... Help ... 62
• 2.2 ... Toolbar ... 64
• 2.2.1 ... Standard ... 64
• 2.2.2 ... Export ... 65
• 2.2.3 ... Themes ... 65
• 2.2.4 ... Format ... 66
• 2.2.5 ... Quick Start ... 66
• 2.2.6 ... Summary ... 66
• 2.3 ... Components Browser ... 68
• 2.3.1 ... Category ... 68
• 2.3.2 ... Tree ... 69
• 2.3.3 ... List ... 70
• 2.4 ... Canvas ... 71
• 2.5 ... Embedded Excel Spreadsheet ... 71
• 2.6 ... Property Sheet ... 72
• 2.7 ... Object Browser ... 74
• 2.8 ... Summary ... 75
• 3 ... Get Started ... 77
• 3.1 ... Introduction ... 77
• 3.2 ... Choose the Right UI Components ... 78
• 3.3 ... Bind Data ... 79
• 3.3.1 ... Bind Data for Pie Chart ... 80
• 3.3.2 ... Enable Drill-Down for the Pie Chart ... 82
• 3.3.3 ... Bind Data for Label ... 84
• 3.4 ... Connect to External Data ... 85
• 3.5 ... Formatting ... 85
• 3.6 ... Distribute the Output ... 88
• 3.7 ... Summary ... 89
• 4 ... UI Component Basics ... 91
• 4.1 ... Working with Charts ... 92
• 4.1.1 ... Pie Chart ... 92
• 4.1.2 ... Column Chart ... 110
• 4.1.3 ... Line Chart ... 128
• 4.1.4 ... Bar Chart ... 136
• 4.1.5 ... XY Chart ... 137
• 4.1.6 ... Bubble Chart ... 141
• 4.1.7 ... Area Chart ... 144
• 4.2 ... Selectors ... 147
• 4.2.1 ... Introduction to Xcelsius Selectors ... 147
• 4.2.2 ... Select a Single Item ... 147
• 4.2.3 ... Filter ... 153
• 4.2.4 ... Checkbox ... 157
• 4.2.5 ... Toggle Button ... 158
• 4.2.6 ... Ticker ... 158
• 4.2.7 ... Picture Menus ... 160
• 4.2.8 ... List Builder ... 165
• 4.3 ... Represent a Single Value ... 166
• 4.3.1 ... Introduction to Single-Value Components ... 166
• 4.3.2 ... Slider ... 167
• 4.3.3 ... Progress Bar ... 171
• 4.3.4 ... Dial and Gauge ... 172
• 4.4 ... Use Containers to Wrap Several Components ... 176
• 4.4.1 ... When to Use a Container ... 176
• 4.4.2 ... How to Use a Container ... 177
• 4.5 ... Build Backgrounds to Assist Layout ... 180
• 4.5.1 ... When to Use Backgrounds ... 180
• 4.5.2 ... How to Use Backgrounds ... 181
• 4.6 ... Summary ... 184
• 5 ... UI Components – Advanced ... 185
• 5.1 ... Advanced Charts ... 185
• 5.1.1 ... Stacked Column Chart ... 186
• 5.1.2 ... Stacked Bar and Area Chart ... 189
• 5.1.3 ... Combination Chart ... 189
• 5.1.4 ... OHLC Chart ... 191
• 5.1.5 ... Candlestick Chart ... 202
• 5.1.6 ... Radar Chart ... 203
• 5.1.7 ... Filled Radar Chart ... 206
• 5.1.8 ... Tree Map ... 208
• 5.2 ... Advanced Selectors ... 210
• 5.2.1 ... Accordion Menu ... 210
• 5.2.2 ... Icon ... 217
• 5.2.3 ... Play Selector ... 219
• 5.2.4 ... Calendar ... 225
• 5.3 ... Advanced Single-Value Components ... 228
• 5.3.1 ... Dual Slider ... 229
• 5.3.2 ... Spinner ... 230
• 5.3.3 ... Play Control ... 231
• 5.3.4 ... Value ... 233
• 5.4 ... Displaying Data in a Table ... 235
• 5.4.1 ... List View ... 235
• 5.4.2 ... Spreadsheet Table ... 239
• 5.4.3 ... Grid ... 243
• 5.5 ... Using Art ... 246
• 5.5.1 ... Image Component ... 246
• 5.5.2 ... Shapes ... 248
• 5.5.3 ... Lines ... 252
• 5.6 ... Use Maps for Geographical Representation ... 253
• 5.6.1 ... Map Components ... 253
• 5.7 ... Web Connectivity ... 262
• 5.7.1 ... Connection Refresh Button ... 262
• 5.7.2 ... URL Button ... 264
• 5.7.3 ... Reporting Services Button ... 268
• 5.7.4 ... Slide Show ... 271
• 5.8 ... Others ... 273
• 5.8.1 ... Local Scenario Button ... 273
• 5.8.2 ... Trend Icon ... 275
• 5.8.3 ... Trend Analyzer ... 277
• 5.8.4 ... History ... 279
• 5.8.5 ... Print Button ... 282
• 5.8.6 ... Reset Button ... 283
• 5.8.7 ... Source Data ... 284
• 5.8.8 ... Panel Set ... 287
• 5.9 ... Summary ... 291
• 6 ... Data Connectivity Basics ... 293
• 6.1 ... Embedded Excel Spreadsheet ... 294
• 6.1.1 ... How to Use Excel ... 295
• 6.2 ... Import Data from an Excel File ... 298
• 6.2.1 ... When to Use ... 298
• 6.2.2 ... How to Use ... 298
• 6.3 ... Security Issues Related to Accessing External Data ... 299
• 6.4 ... XML Data ... 301
• 6.4.1 ... When to Use XML Data ... 304
• 6.4.2 ... How to Use XML Date ... 305
• 6.4.3 ... Practice ... 314
• 6.5 ... Web Service Connection ... 322
• 6.5.1 ... When to Use a Web Service Connection ... 322
• 6.5.2 ... How to Use a Web Service Connection ... 323
• 6.6 ... Excel XML Map ... 326
• 6.6.1 ... When to Use an Excel XML Map ... 327
• 6.6.2 ... How to Use an Excel XML Map ... 328
• 6.7 ... Summary ... 330
• 7 ... Advanced Data Connectivity ... 331
• 7.1 ... Query as a Web Service ... 331
• 7.1.1 ... When to Use Query as a Web Service ... 333
• 7.1.2 ... How to Use Query as a Web Service ... 334
• 7.2 ... Live Office Connection ... 339
• 7.2.1 ... When to Use SAP BusinessObjects Live Office Connection ... 340
• 7.2.2 ... How to Insert SAP BusinessObjects Reports to Excel ... 342
• 7.2.3 ... How to Use SAP BusinessObjects Live Office Connection ... 343
• 7.2.4 ... Practice ... 348
• 7.3 ... Crystal Reports Data Consumer ... 351
• 7.3.1 ... When to Use the Crystal Reports Data Consumer Connection ... 352
• 7.3.2 ... How to Use the Crystal Reports Data Consumer Connection ... 352
• 7.3.3 ... Practice ... 359
• 7.4 ... Flash Variables ... 362
• 7.4.1 ... When to Use Flash Variables ... 364
• 7.4.2 ... How to Use Flash Variables ... 364
• 7.5 ... FS Command ... 368
• 7.5.1 ... When to Use FS Command ... 369
• 7.5.2 ... How to Use FS Command ... 369
• 7.5.3 ... Practice ... 372
• 7.6 ... External Interface Connection ... 375
• 7.6.1 ... When to Use an External Interface Connection ... 376
• 7.6.2 ... How to Use and External Interface Connection ... 376
• 7.6.3 ... Practice ... 378
• 7.7 ... LCDS Connection ... 382
• 7.7.1 ... When to Use an LCDS Connection ... 384
• 7.7.2 ... How to Use an LCDS Connection ... 384
• 7.8 ... Portal Data ... 387
• 7.8.1 ... When to Use Portal Data ... 387
• 7.8.2 ... How to Use Portal Data ... 388
• 7.9 ... Summary ... 391
• 8 ... Special Features ... 393
• 8.1 ... Drill-Down ... 393
• 8.1.1 ... When to Use Drill-Down ... 394
• 8.1.2 ... How to Use Drill-Down ... 395
• 8.1.3 ... Drill Down from One Chart to Another ... 396
• 8.1.4 ... Drill-Down on the Same Chart ... 399
• 8.2 ... Make Smart Use of Dynamic Visibility ... 405
• 8.2.1 ... When to Use Dynamic Visibility ... 406
• 8.2.2 ... How to Use Dynamic Visibility ... 408
• 8.2.3 ... Practice ... 411
• 8.3 ... Alerts ... 416
• 8.3.1 ... How to Use Alerts ... 417
• 8.3.2 ... Practice ... 418
• 8.4 ... Export ... 424
• 8.4.1 ... How to Use the Export Functionality ... 425
• 8.5 ... Themes and Colors ... 430
• 8.5.1 ... How to Use Themes and Color ... 430
• 8.6 ... Summary ... 438
• 9 ... A Comprehensive Hands-On Example ... 439
• 9.1 ... Planning the Dashboard ... 441
• 9.1.1 ... Plan the Workflow ... 441
• 9.1.2 ... Plan the UI ... 442
• 9.2 ... Preparing Data ... 443
• 9.2.1 ... The U.S. Map ... 444
• 9.2.2 ... The Gauge ... 445
• 9.2.3 ... The Column Chart ... 445
• 9.2.4 ... The Line Chart ... 447
• 9.2.5 ... The Radio Button ... 450
• 9.2.6 ... The Pie Chart ... 450
• 9.3 ... Organizing Data in Excel ... 451
• 9.4 ... Designing the Dashboard ... 455
• 9.4.1 ... Position the UI Components ... 456
• 9.4.2 ... Import the Excel File ... 456
• 9.4.3 ... Connect to External Data ... 458
• 9.4.4 ... Adjust the Appearance ... 459
• 9.5 ... Summary ... 460
• 10 ... Introduction to the Xcelsius SDK ... 461
• 10.1 ... About the Xcelsius SDK ... 461
• 10.2 ... About Flex ... 462
• 10.3 ... When to Use the SDK ... 463
• 10.4 ... How to Use the SDK ... 464
• 10.5 ... What Can be Done with the SDK? ... 468
• 10.6 ... SDK Best Practices ... 471
• 10.7 ... Summary ... 473
• 11 ... Get Started with Custom Component Basics ... 475
• 11.1 ... Developing Basic Add-On Property Sheets ... 475
• 11.1.1 ... Property Sheet Data Binding ... 476
• 11.1.2 ... Explicitly Setting Property Values ... 479
• 11.1.3 ... Explicitly Getting Property Values ... 480
• 11.1.4 ... Property Sheet Styling ... 480
• 11.1.5 ... Basic Property Sheet Overview ... 480
• 11.1.6 ... Proxy.Bind Explained ... 490
• 11.2 ... Developing Basic Add-On Components ... 491
• 11.2.1 ... Custom Component Code Walkthrough ... 491
• 11.3 ... Creating Basic Component Packages ... 500
• 11.4 ... Summary ... 503
• 12 ... Implement Advanced Custom Add-On Component Features ... 505
• 12.1 ... Implementing Advanced Property Sheet Features ... 505
• 12.1.1 ... Sub-Element Binding ... 505
• 12.1.2 ... Persisting Property Sheet Values ... 508
• 12.1.3 ... Retrieving Persisted Property Sheet Values ... 509
• 12.1.4 ... Setting Custom Component Property Values ... 510
• 12.1.5 ... Retrieving Custom Component Property Values ... 510
• 12.1.6 ... Generating Reusable Property Sheet Patterns ... 510
• 12.1.7 ... Communicating with External Data Services ... 513
• 12.1.8 ... Implementing Advanced Component Features ... 513
• 12.1.9 ... Additional Packaging Features ... 524
• 12.2 ... Summary ... 526
• 13 ... Hands-On: Develop Your Custom Add-On Component ... 527
• 13.1 ... Custom Properties Explained ... 527
• 13.2 ... Creating the Flex Component and Property Sheet Project ... 528
• 13.3 ... Creating the Flex Property Sheet ... 534
• 13.4 ... Creating the Flex Component ... 540
• 13.5 ... Creating the Flex Test Container ... 543
• 13.6 ... Creating the Packager and Xcelsius XLX Add-On ... 543
• 13.7 ... Summary ... 544
• ... Appendices ... 545
• A ... Tips for Using Xcelsius in SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise or other SAP Environment ... 545
• A.1 ... Use Xcelsius in an SAP BusinessObjects Environment ... 545
• A.2 ... Use Xcelsius in an SAP Environment ... 554
• A.3 ... Supported Excel Functions ... 557
• A.4 ... Xcelsius Editions ... 568
• A.5 ... Tips for Creating a Good Dashboard ... 573
• A.6 ... Summary ... 580
• B ... The Authors ... 581
• ... Index ... 583