GETTING STARTED WITH MEKKO GRAPHICS A GUIDE FOR MS OFFICE 2007, 2010, AND 2013 USERS. 10/21/2014 MG6.9 Of07/10/13

Transcription

1 GETTING STARTED WITH MEKKO GRAPHICS A GUIDE FOR MS OFFICE 2007, 2010, AND 2013 USERS 10/21/2014 MG6.9 Of07/10/13

2 CONTENTS Chapter 1 Getting Started... 3 What is Mekko Graphics?...3 Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics...4 System Requirements... 4 Upgrading Your Software... 5 Installing Mekko Graphics...6 Chapter 3 Using the Trial Version...11 Chapter 4 Activation and Registration...12 Chapter 5 Using Mekko Graphics...22 Chapter 6 Support...25 Technical Support Appendix: What s New in Mekko Graphics?...26 Ability to Apply Cell Formatting to Chart...26 Import from Microsoft (MS) Graph...26 Ability to Create Mekko Graphics Charts from Excel...26

3 CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED WHAT IS MEKKO GRAPHICS? Mekko Graphics is a professional tool designed to provide powerful business charting capabilities in one simple package that works seamlessly with Microsoft PowerPoint. Mekko Graphics offers powerful features and flexibility that make outstanding, eye-catching charts more quickly and efficiently, and can be individually customized to adhere to corporate standards and design. With Mekko Graphics, your charts will leverage your data and present it clearly and effectively. Mekko Graphics is the result of years of development incorporating new features suggested by you, our users. Mekko Graphics utilizes the latest in Microsoft technologies and features task panes and context menus for an even more streamlined experience. Please see the Appendix at the end of this document for details on all the newly added features in our latest version of Mekko Graphics. Chapter 1 Welcome to Mekko Graphics 3

4 CHAPTER 2 INSTALLING MEKKO GRAPHICS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS To use Mekko Graphics, your computer system should include the hardware and software listed below. Microsoft Windows Compatibility: MS Windows Vista or MS Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit) or MS Windows 8 (32- or 64-bit) or MS Windows 8.1 (32- or 64-bit) Microsoft Office Compatibility: MS Office 2007 MS Office 2010 SP1 (32- or 64-bit) MS Office 2013 (32- or 64-bit) System Requirements MS.NET Framework 4.0 is required. Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office system (VSTO 4.0) Minimum Hardware Requirements Computer and processor 1.0 GHz or higher CPU Memory and Video 2 GB of RAM recommended, 1024x768 high-color 32-bit display Hard disk 150 MB of available hard-disk space; optional installation files cache (recommended) requires additional 200 MB of available hard-disk space Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 4

5 UPGRADING YOUR SOFTWARE If you currently have a licensed subscription for Mekko Graphics 5 or later installed on your machine and wish to upgrade to our latest version, there is no need to uninstall. Simply follow the Installation instructions described below in this document. Our installation process will update your machine with the latest version of the software and your activation (license) will be retained in the new version. If you are installing on a new machine, or if you already uninstalled on your current machine, then you may need to activate the software again with the new version. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 5

6 INSTALLING MEKKO GRAPHICS 1. Close all programs. 2. Go to our website ( and download the installation file MekkoGraphics.exe to your computer. 3. Double click MekkoGraphics.exe to begin installation 4. At the Welcome screen, click to begin installation. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 6

7 5. Read and click to accept the License Agreement and continue. You must accept this Agreement to continue. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 7

8 6. Select a destination folder for the installation. It is recommended that you install in the default location C:\Program Files\Knowledge Management\Mekko Graphics 6 or C:\Program Files(x86)\Knowledge Management\Mekko Graphics 6. You may however, choose any location on your computer. You may not install the software on the network. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 8

9 7. Review your settings and click before continuing. Click to make changes. The installation process will begin. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 9

10 8. Congratulations. The installation is complete. Click Finish. Chapter 2 Installing Mekko Graphics 10

11 CHAPTER 3 USING THE TRIAL VERSION Once installation is complete, you can simply launch PowerPoint to start Mekko Graphics. You will see the Mekko Graphics Welcome Screen upon launching PowerPoint. Go to the Start menu and launch PowerPoint When you install Mekko Graphics, the product is a 30-day trial version until you activate the software. It is very important to activate the software within 30 days of installing. Once the 30 days have passed, you will be unable to use the software unless you activate it. To use the trial version, select the second radio button and click Continue. Please feel free to us at support@mekkographics.com should you have any questions during your trial period. Chapter 3 Using the Trial Version 11

12 CHAPTER 4 ACTIVATION AND REGISTRATION Activation The activation process verifies your product serial number and license. You have two methods of activation: Automatic and Manual (browser-based) activation. Activation of our software is good for one year from date of purchase. If your subscription has expired, Mekko Graphics will be deactivated on your machine and you will no longer be able to edit Mekko Graphics charts. Once you have installed Mekko Graphics, launching PowerPoint will bring up the Activation screen. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 12

13 Automatic Activation 1. Choose the first radio button and click Continue to activate your software. 2. Choose the first radio button for Automatic Activation and enter your serial number. (The product serial number is provided to you in your purchase confirmation ). Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 13

14 To avoid typos in entering, we recommend copying and pasting from your purchase confirmation ). Click Continue. 3. The activation process begins. When the process is complete, a message appears stating that the software was successfully activated. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 14

15 See the Registration Section to learn how to register your software. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 15

16 Manual (Browser-Based) Activation 1. If you are unable to activate using automatic activation, enter your serial number (located in your purchase confirmation ), select the Manual (Browserbased) Activation radio button and click Continue. 2. The Mekko Graphics Manual Activation screen will appear. (Your Serial Number and Activation Number will be pre-filled in the appropriate fields of the Manual Activation Screen). Click on the link specified in Step 1a) of the next screen in order to obtain an authorization code. Note: You can print this screen if necessary. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 16

17 Mekko Graphics Manual Activation Screen 3. Once you navigate to the web page (below), copy both your Serial Number and Activation Number from Step 1b) of the Mekko Graphics Manual Activation page and paste to their respective fields on the activation screen. Also fill out the bottom fields to register your software. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 17

18 4. Click. An Authorization Code is generated Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 18

19 5. Copy the Authorization Code from the webpage, and paste it into Step 2 of the Mekko Graphics Activation screen and click Continue. MEKKO GRAPHICS MANUAL ACTIVATION SCREEN Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 19

20 6. Your software will be successfully activated. Registration If you have not yet registered, please register your copy of Mekko Graphics. Go to the Mekko Graphics tab, and from the Help drop down menu, select Register. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 20

21 Type in your name and address and click Register. Fields in red are required. A web page appears and confirms your registration. Registration is required and needs to be accurate in order to receive technical support. We do not sell or use this information in any way except for support purposes and to send you updates and news about Mekko Graphics. Chapter 4 Activation and Registration 21

22 CHAPTER 5 USING MEKKO GRAPHICS Once you have installed, activated and registered your software, you are ready to begin creating charts! Mekko Graphics uses the Quick Launch method for inserting a single chart on a slide. You can also create Mekko Graphics charts directly from your Excel data via a Mekko Graphics Add-In in MS Excel. From Microsoft PowerPoint, go to the Mekko Graphics menu, and choose from the seven drop down menus for your desired chart type. (For more information on the chart types and subtypes, hovering your mouse over the chart type will display a brief description of the chart). Your chart will automatically appear in PowerPoint with prepopulated data, which you can easily replace with your own data. The "dummy data" that populates the chart allows you to quickly see how the chart utilizes the data. Replace the data in the spreadsheet with your own. Once you have entered your data, close the Data View screen. Formatting your chart is likely where you will spend the majority of your time. You have several chart, series, segment, bar, axis, and label formatting options, accessible through toolbars, task panes, and menus right in PowerPoint. Chapter 5 Using Mekko Graphics 22

23 Various functions are available via right click options and task panes. Right clicking anywhere in the chart area will display the right click chart formatting menu. Right click on a segment or label in your chart, and a context-sensitive menu will appear, allowing you to format the selected series, segment or label. Chapter 5 Using Mekko Graphics 23

24 Right clicking on the axis will display a context-sensitive menu, allowing you to format your axis. Format your series, segments, labels, and axes until you are satisfied with the look of your chart. Then simply click off the chart to save all your changes. For more detailed training on creating charts, visit our website for the latest webinar information or contact us at support@mekkographics.com. Chapter 5 Using Mekko Graphics 24

25 CHAPTER 6 SUPPORT Mekko Graphics includes a variety of resources to help you learn the program quickly and become proficient in creating your own charts. Click Support to communicate with our highly knowledgeable support engineers. Or, if you are stuck on how to create a chart, Ask an Expert for advice. The Mekko Graphics Support Center at is updated regularly with the latest information on Mekko Graphics, including videos, updates, sample presentations, FAQs, and information on advanced topics. TECHNICAL SUPPORT Contact our Mekko Graphics Support department to get answers to questions not found on our web site. Installation and activation support is free. Please see our website for information about other support options. Mekko Graphics Online Help Mekko Graphics Webinar Mekko Blog Chapter 6 Support 25

26 APPENDIX: WHAT S NEW IN MEKKO GRAPHICS? ABILITY TO APPLY CELL FORMATTING TO CHART In Mekko Graphics, you can choose to use your Mekko Graphics spreadsheet cell background colors and apply those colors to your chart. These cell background colors can be obtained by copying data ranges from Excel that have colored cells, either by Excel conditional formatting or by manual application of cell colors. You can also link to Excel ranges containing cell colors. IMPORT FROM MICROSOFT (MS) GRAPH The latest version of Mekko Graphics software includes the ability to import Mekko Graphics-supported chart types from Microsoft Graph and create a comparable Mekko Graphics chart. Mekko Graphics imports all data, axis information, and series definition (i.e. that data is defined as a line, a bar, a bubble, etc.). ABILITY TO CREATE MEKKO GRAPHICS CHARTS FROM EXCEL Mekko Graphics now includes an Add-In to Microsoft Excel, providing the ability to create Mekko Graphics charts directly from selected Excel ranges. Just select your linked range in Excel and then choose a chart type from the Quick Launch menu in Excel. Once you have selected your chart type, select Appendix What s New in Mekko Graphics

27 the slide in PowerPoint and simply click the mouse to insert the desired type. Your chart will insert with your selected data. Appendix What s New in Mekko Graphics