Web Analytics India

- contributed by Gunjan Aggarwal
We have already learnt how to create an interactive chart using Check Boxes in our last blog.

The check box allows the user to view different sources of data in a better manner. But it’s limited to a particular metric, the user can view only one metric for the data source, like visitors or visits or page views. This is a limitation of the Check Box option.

This limitation can be overcome easily, using the COMBO BOX.

A Combo Box is a value addition to a check box, that helps in projecting the graph in a better and more meaningful manner. Combo box can deal with multiple metrics for multiple data sources. COMBO BOX together with CHECK BOX will add magic to your dashboard!

Now let’s learn how to use COMBO BOX

1. Before inserting a Combo Box, one has to enable the related tab first. Select the ‘Excel Options’ in the main Windows button on the top left of your Excel window.
2. Enable the “Show Developer Tab in the Ribbon” option.


Excel options in Windows button



3. In the Developer tab, Insert option, click on Combo Box (Form Control). You just have to take mouse over the different options to see their names.



4. Drag and draw the Combo Box at the required place in the sheet.
5. To insert a Combo Box, we have to allocate a particular cell and also select the input range for the Combo Box (input range refers to the range that is to be controlled and displayed by the Combo Box). In order to do this, you have to right click on the Combo Box and select Format Control.





6. In the data source of the chart , write an ‘IF’ Condition as follows
   Formula = IF (Combo box control cell is ‘X’, cell which contains its actual value, If (Combo box control cell is ‘Y’, cell which contains its actual value NA ()))
7. The Above formula is for the Combo Box data, which again has to be connected to the actual data source for the Check Box for which the
   Formula = IF (Checkbox control cell is true, then give cell which contains the Combo Box formula (value for the selected combo box) NA ())
8. Then link the data source to the Graph.
9. Dashboard with the Combo Box and Check box is ready.

What next?

If you need a sample report on using combo boxes and checkboxes, please leave your email id in a comment. And we will mail it over to you.