TeeChart Office 1.0
February 27, 2002
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It is a Beta program, but anyone who uses charts and graphs
either on the web, in print, or for presentations, would be
well advised to look at a program called TeeChart Office.
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The program can provide about 17 different types of charts,
with a number of variations available for most of those.
Additionally, the program allows such extensive customization
that the total number of charts possible seems endless.
However, the part that makes this a keeper is the fact that
in addition to being highly versatile, it is lightning quick,
produces good looking output, and it is free.
Further, there is no need to save the chart in one format
and then convert it for the web because the program allows
users to export charts in the internet-familiar .jpg and
.gif formats.
The program takes in data like most all charting programs,
using the standard columns and lines in which to introduce
information. Then, the user need only to click on the type
of chart desired, and the options in the submenu, if needed,
and the chart is produced instantly.
For example, should the user wish to create a bar chart,
simply enter the data and click on the bar chart icon
(as seen in the left image). Within that icon will appear
a tiny arrow. Click on that, and a partial screen as seen
here on the right opens to offer several built-in
alternatives. Click on the one of choice, and it is
instantly created. Once a chart is created, altering the
spread-sheet type data sheet will instantly alter the chart.
Other types of charts are just as easy to create, and
virtually every element is customizeable by going into
the properties of those elements.
Making a chart three-dimensional is as easy as checking
the "3D" selection and watching it change before your eyes.
Adding a shadow is done the same way. In fact,
all alterations are made just as simply. Should the user
wish to "explode" a piece of the chart out of the main
chart, it is as simple as clicking on the desired section
and dragging it away.
In addition to .jpg and .gif formats, pictures can be
exported as .bmp, .wmf, .emf, .pcx, and .vml formats.
Among the many charting features are zoom, scroll, panning,
rotation, elevation, perspective, adding annotations and
drawing lines, tooltip hints, legends, axis titles,
headers, footers, colors, and gradients.
The only real complaint with the program is that it does
not have an "undo" feature, which means if you mess a
chart up you may have start over. Fortunately, it is a
known fact that WDVL readers rarely make mistakes.
TeeChart Office is available for Windows and Linux
operating systems, and it only takes a short time to
download the 1.0 MB .zip file.
With its ease of use, versatility, quality output,
and price, it makes no sense not to have it in your
web designing arsenal, whether your business is
large or small.
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