SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVELY LINKING DATA TO SHAPES IN DIAGRAM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for linking data from an external data source to shapes in a diagram.SOLUTION: A mechanism is implemented as a component of a graphical visualization program and a modeless data window is provided which is operable to display data from a data source through a two-dimensional table. Users can use the mechanism to import data from a data source and display the imported data in the modeless data window. Users can then use the modeless data window to select and drag rows displayed in the modeless data window onto shapes on a drawing surface of the graphical visualization program to link the dragged rows to the shapes. Users can also drag rows displayed in the modeless data window onto a blank section of the drawing surface to create shapes on the drawing surface and link the rows to the created shapes.