Graphs

Facts

Start the Tax Planner and open the plan you saved for A Couple, Basic and Average (A Couple.pl5). Open the Graph Setup and add a new graph for this plan. Base this graph on the Income template. Use the Graph Editor to setup the graph as follows:

Preview the graph on-screen, then save the graph as a plan graph, then as a template. Use "Tutorial" for the name of each. Delete each of these items in the Graph Setup at the conclusion of this exercise if you like.

Program Considerations

The Graph Editor is used to set up a graph to print with the plan report or a template that you can use for all plans. As you make changes, the Graph Editor will continuously show an updated preview of the graph. The following describes the functions available at each tab:

Chart tab

• Type: Sets up a line, bar, or pie graph.
• Visual Guides: Turns on/off the color, 3D effects, and the legend. The Show Points option is only available for line graphs.
• Chart Text: Allows you to type a title for the graph, and apply a font set to the text in the graph.
• Charts Per Page: Indicates how many graphs will be printed on a page in the plan report.

Data tab

• Charted Items: Lists the amounts included in the graph.
• Included Scenarios: Allows you to select which cases/scenarios to include.

Layout tab

• Chart Perspective: Sets up the graph by year or case. This feature does not apply to pie graphs.
• Reverse Axis: Switches the axis from the amount to the case or year. This feature does not apply to pie graphs.
• One chart for all cases/years: Includes all cases and years in one graph. This feature does not apply to pie graphs.
• Color: Allows you to select a color for each amount in the graph.
• Fill: Allows you to select a fill type for each amount in the graph.
• Line: Allows you to select a line type to use in the graph. This feature is only active for line graphs.

How?

To add a new graph or graph template:

1. Start the 2005 Tax Planner program and open the sample plan (A Couple.pl5).
2. Click Graph Setup on the Reports menu.
   

   Note: If there are no saved graphs for this plan, the New Graph window opens.

3. Click Create based on template and click Income in the template list.
   
4. Click OK.
5. The Graph Editor opens the Income graph.

To adjust Graph Settings:

1. Click the appropriate tab at the top of the Graph Editor window.
2. Use the settings from the table above to make the necessary changes.

To preview a graph in the Graph Editor:

1. Click Print Preview on the File menu.
   
2. The program displays the graph(s).
3. Click Exit on the File menu to close the preview.

To save as a Plan Graph:

1. Click Save As Plan Graph on the File menu.
   
2. Enter Tutorial as the name of the graph.
   
3. Click OK.

To save as a template:

1. Click Save As Template on the File menu.
   
2. Enter Tutorial as the name of the Template.
   
3. Click OK.

Tips & Shortcuts

• You can preview all graphs (when there are more than one) in the Graph Editor by clicking the Next button.
  
• You can close the Print Preview by clicking the Close viewer icon in the toolbar.
  

Review

You should have been able to create a new graph and graph template.

Troubleshooting

Problem: When I preview the graph I created, I can't see the entire graph on my screen.

Solution: You can control the appearance of the previewed graph by using the Zoom toolbar at the top of the viewer.

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