Charts and Graphs

The sample charts below were created in Microsoft Excel and use Excel's Web query feature to pull data directly from the Strategic Asia database. Use the links below to view a screenshot of a chart or to download a sample Excel workbook. Below you will also find detailed, step-by-step instructions for creating Excel Web queries, pivot tables, and charts with Strategic Asia data. 

Sample Charts and Workbooks

Creating Excel Tables and Charts with Strategic Asia Data

One of the most powerful features of the Strategic Asia web database is the ability to use Microsoft Excel 2000 or XP to dynamically link to user-defined datasets.  The following step-by-step instructions explain how to define a custom dataset, link to the dataset using a Web query, and create a pivot table and chart based on downloaded data.  

BEFORE USING STRATEGIC ASIA'S EXCEL WEB QUERY FEATURE, PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTICES.     

Step 1:  Define Dataset

From the Datasheet View on the Strategic Asia website, select the criteria you wish to display.  (Note that to access the Datasheet View, users will first need to complete the free registration process.)   For this example, we will compare the US estimate for defense spending as a percentage of GDP for the years 1993-97 for the following countries:  China, India, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan.  Using the "tree view" selection tool, select the countries, indicators, and years.  Click here for screenshot. 

Step 2:  Display Dataset

Click on the  button to display the selected criteria.  Note that in this example you can highlight a country listed in the left-hand column to view data for that country.  Click here for screenshot.  

Step 3:  Generate Web Query 

Now that you have defined your dataset, you can link the dataset to Excel by clicking the Excel button in the Datasheet toolbar.

Excel should now launch, create a new workbook, and retrieve your dataset using Excel's web query function.  Note that depending on your Internet connection this process could take a few moments.   When the Web query has finished, you should have a populated Excel datasheet. Click here for screenshot.  

You can  refresh linked data by choosing the "Refresh Data" option from the "Data" menu in Excel.  Click here for screenshot.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you wish to add to or edit the data retrieved with a Web query, we urge you to NOT make additions or changes directly to the system-generated datasheet.  Refreshing the Web query will DELETE all of your edits and repopulate the sheet with current Strategic Asia data matching your original query.  If you wish to combine data obtained from a Strategic Asia Web query with other data, we URGE you to create a new datasheet and reference cells from the Web query source.  

Step 4:  Creating a Pivot Table and Chart

Now that you have the data in Excel, you can proceed with creating a pivot table and chart.  To do this, highlight the cells that contain the data you wish to display.  Click here for screenshot.  

Next, from the Data menu in Excel, choose "Pivot Table and Pivot Chart Report" to launch the wizard.  In the first step, answer choose "Microsoft Excel list or database" for the first question, and "PivotChart (with PivotTable) for the second question.  Click "Next." Click here for screenshot.  

If you already highlighted the cells you wanted to display, the correct cell range should appear in the next screen.  In this example, we selected cells B1 through E26. Click "Next".  Click here for screenshot.   

In step 3 of the wizard, you will be asked where you want to put the PivotTable.  The default selection should be "New worksheet."  Click here for screenshot.  

This step also allows you to select PivotTable options.  For the data selected in this example, we can uncheck the "Grand total for rows" and "Grand total for columns" options.  Click OK to accept option changes.   Click here for screenshot.  

Now click "Finish" to create the PivotTable and PivotChart.

Step 5:  "Dropping" Data Items into the Pivot Chart

Now drag and drop the data items into the desired areas of the PivotChart.  For this example, you can place "Country" into the "Series" box, "Year" into the "More Category Fields" box, "Indicator" into the "Page Fields" box, and "Value" into the middle "Data items" box.  Click here for screenshot. 

If necessary, select the the "chart type" button to change the chart from the default bar chart to a line chart.  Click here for screenshot.  Now click "Finish"  to view the chart.