Sometime back I had to figure out a way to change the data range for a chart in excel dynamically at run-time based on certain conditions being met. This post covers provides a simplified version of the code with essential items and logic in it to help you put with the process.

The following function runs when the excel file is opened. It runs through a loop for all the charts in ”Sheet1″ and then finds a specific chart using the chart name (.Name). It reassigns a revised range for the various series of data in the chart.

Code:

Sub Auto_Open()
Dim chartCount As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim colName As String
Dim rangeStr As String
Dim chartOnSheet As Chart  

chartCount = ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects.Count
For i = 1 To chartCount
  With ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects(i).Chart
   If .Name = "Sheet1 Chart 103" Then
      colName = "D"
      rangeStr = "A84:" & colName & "84"
      .SeriesCollection(2).Values = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range(rangeStr)
      rangeStr = "A91:" & colName & "91"
      .SeriesCollection(3).Values = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range(rangeStr)
      rangeStr = "A85:" & colName & "85"
      .SeriesCollection(4).Values = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range(rangeStr)
   End If
  End With
Next i
End Sub

Popularity: 5% [?]

Google maps is providing another level of interaction between local businesses and consumers. Not only can you list businesses on Google maps but now you can even connect to those businesses from anywhere.

Google map users can send a business listing on Google Maps Deutschland directly to cars equipped with BMW Assist. This saves the driver the pain of writing down the address and re-entering it. The driver can set the address received as the destination for the in-car navigation system.

The users can also call the businesses from within the car. You click the “call” link next to the phone number of the local business you found on Google maps, enter your phone number and click “Connect For Free”. Google calls your phone number and connects you automatically to that local business. After you have entered your phone number once, it can store it so you do not have to enter it again.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Recently I wrote about Google Summer of Code 2007 (GoSC) and how it is giving students a chance to contribute to remarkable open source projects and make money as well.

Today Google announced that the Summer of Code is accepting applications from mentoring organizations.

What is the deadline for applications?

The deadline is March 12, 2007

Who can apply?

Currently, GSoC is accepting applications from open source organizations.

Where can I find details on applying?

• GSoC Mentor Organization Application Instructions
• FAQ
• Google Summer of Code Discussion group
• Project Wiki

By what time will I know who got approved?

March 14, 2007. List of organizations approved will be listed on the GSoC site.

Students can start submitting applications March 15, 2007.

Source:(here)

Popularity: 4% [?]

Acrobat 6.0 onwards Acrobat Reader has a built in feature where it can read out loud (in a machine voice) any PDF document.

All you need to do is to open a PDF document in the freely available Acrobat Reader (preferable 7.0) and go to View -> Read out loud -> Read to end of document. The machine voice will start reading it out to you and you can sit back and listen as if it were an audio book. You can choose to ask it to read the whole document or just the current page. With whole document option, the pages automatically flip to new page as the voice reads on.

I have tried this on number of occasions and it works very well. Of course for images and certain words you might have to peak at the document.

Do you know of any other tool which does this?

Happy listening!

Popularity: 5% [?]

I use Windows Notepad to open most text files including source code files to have a quick look at them. It is good software but sometimes you need a tool which has more functionality. If you have felt the same then try Notepad++, a tool which I have been using for sometime as notepad replacement.

Right out of the box (without any plugin installs) Notepad++ supports and array of features lacking in basic Windows notepad. It is very light and opens up almost as fast as Notepad. Some of the features are:

• Syntax Highlighting and Syntax Folding : with support for many programming languages
• WYSIWYG
• User Defined Syntax Highlighting
• Auto-completion
• Multi-Document
• Multi-View
• Regular Expression Search/Replace supported
• Full Drag ‘N’ Drop supported
• Dynamic position of Views
• File Status Auto-detection
• Zoom in and zoom out
• Multi-Language environment supported
• Bookmark
• Brace and Indent guideline Highlighting
• Macro recording and playback

It is a very stable product at version 4.0. You can have a peak at the screenshots here.

Some other Notepad replacement tools are:

• DocPad
• NoteTab Light

Download Notepad++

Popularity: 3% [?]

There is a Windows key on most of the modern keyboards.

(image courtesy: cisp)

This key can be used to perform lot of shortcut operations. Some popular ones are:

1. Windows: Opens the Start menu
2. Windows + E: Open the Windows Explorer.
3. Windows + D: Minimizes/Restore all the Windows
4. Windows + F: Display Search for files
5. Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer
6. Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center
7. Windows + R: Display Run dialog box
8. Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box
9. Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows
10. Windows + L: Lock the workstation
11. Windows + U: Open Utility Manager
12. Windows +TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons

These shortcuts for regular operations will help you save lot of time.

Source: (Microsoft)

Popularity: 3% [?]

What is an IP address?

Every machine which is connected to an Internet has a unique address associated with it, which is used to identify and communicate over the network (Internet). This address is called the IP address (Internet Protocol address).

How do I know the IP address of my Windows machine?

Start->Run-> type “cmd” and hit “OK”

command prompt comes up.

Type “ipconfig” at the command prompt and hit return to see the IP address of your Windows PC.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I am relatively new to blogging but it is something which I always wanted to do and just wasn’t ready for the commitment.

I am glad that I started. The best part about blogging is not only the fact that you get to share your knowledge, opinion and viewpoint but also that you begin to acknowledge fellow bloggers more. I am not heavy into leaving comments but more of a read and appreciate kind of person (even though I feel I should express more through comments).

Ilker who writes The Thinking Blog is one of the few bloggers whom I have developed respect for in a very short amount of time. That name caught my attention first on MyBlogLog not because of the pretty icon but because one of my friends whose name was Ilke. Although I must say the icon is nice!

You get a vibe when a person is trying to write genuine articles and likes doing what he/she is doing and I get the same feeling when I read The Thinking Blog. The posts are informative, original and have the intention of helping you learn new things. The creative designer aspect of Ilker’s personality is reflective in her posts as well. The broad range of topics covered without a compromise on quality by a single individual is applaudable.

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Popularity: 3% [?]