Smartart drilldown functionality ?

Question

Hi!

I’m using the Windows Smartart organisation horisontal tree templates to build family trees. They are soon growing big when numbers of branches increase. Is there a possibility to implement +/- drilldown functionality to hide/ unhide branches in this software, as f.ex. in file explorer folder systems, to enable focus/visualizing separate parts/ branches of the overall tree?

Thanks,

Torgeir

Answer 1

Hello, Torgme

Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Community. My name is Kevin and I'm happy to help you. I totally understand your concern regarding the Windows Smartart drilldown functionality. Apparently, Microsoft PowerPoint's SmartArt organization chart feature does not natively support a drill-down functionality like the one you're describing. SmartArt in PowerPoint is primarily designed for creating simple diagrams and charts, and it lacks advanced interactive features like drill-down capabilities.

However, you can achieve a similar effect by manually expanding and collapsing branches of your family tree within the SmartArt graphic. Here's a workaround you can try:

Organize your family tree:

Create your family tree using the SmartArt organization chart feature in PowerPoint. Ensure that you structure it in a way that makes it easy to identify branches and sub-branches.

Group elements:

Group related elements of your family tree together using shapes or connectors. This will make it easier to collapse or hide entire sections of the tree.

You can use PowerPoint's animation features to simulate a drill-down effect. For example, you can apply an animation effect to a group of shapes or connectors to make them appear or disappear when clicked. Here's how you can do it:

1. Select the group of shapes or connectors you want to animate.
2. Go to the "Animations" tab and choose an animation effect from the Animation gallery.
3. Customize the animation options as needed.
4. Test the animation in slideshow mode to ensure it behaves as expected.

You can also use hyperlinks to navigate between different parts of your family tree. For example, you can create hyperlinks that jump to specific slides or sections within your presentation, allowing users to navigate between different branches of the family tree.

While these methods may not offer the same level of interactivity as a dedicated drill-down feature, they can help you organize and present your family tree in a more manageable way within PowerPoint.

Please let me know if these information helped us to answer the concern. Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below.

Kind regards, Kevin

Answer 2

Great! It seems that you fully understand the alternative resolution and you provided a better workaround on your end. You are very much welcome, Torgme.

Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below.

Kind regards, Kevin

Answer 3

Thanks a lot, Kevin, for quick response and suggestions !

On my main question, you’re telling me that SmartArt organisation charts do not include direct drilldown functionality – ok, useful clarification. However, I’m not sure your alternative proposals will work for me here. My family tree makings are/ will probably be «work in progress», evolving/ changing over time. Whereas your proposal suggest methods for fixed/ finished trees, as I understand it. My own idea here, would thus rather be to apply simple zooming/ selection functions for ongoing screen work and print outs.

But, again thanks a lot !

Torgeir