Anyone switching to a new PowerPoint chart add-in will eventually face the same question: What happens to the charts that already exist?
Over the years, companies create presentations, reporting templates, project plans, and analysis slides that all contain charts built in the previous environment. Without a reliable way to convert those existing charts, switching solutions becomes extremely difficult in practice.
This article explains what matters during that process, both for charts created with specialized add-ins and for charts created with native PowerPoint tools. It also explains why even the best conversion capability is not enough on its own to make the switch successful.
Charts created with specialized chart add-ins are technically more complex than they appear on the slide. In addition to the data stored in an embedded Excel worksheet, they often use their own data structures for elements such as arrows, connector lines, and other added components.
A professional conversion therefore needs to go deeper than the visual layer. It must analyze the underlying data structure and transfer both the Excel data and the additional chart-specific data into a new chart architecture. Two things must be handled separately and correctly: the data transfer and the formatting. Only then is the result fully editable.
In practical terms, the following details must be preserved:
The goal is not to create a chart that merely looks similar. The goal is to create a chart that works reliably and can be edited immediately.
Waterfall charts are among the most common formats in professional presentations, and they are also among the most technically demanding to convert. This is not only because of the data points themselves, but also because these charts are often adjusted manually on the slide after they are created. Users may move or modify elements with the mouse, while those changes are not reflected in the underlying Excel data sheet. The data remains unchanged, but the visual display changes.
Common examples include:
When converting charts, empower® follows a clear principle: the data in the embedded Excel worksheet should match the chart shown on the slide exactly. A chart is meant to visualize data. To remain understandable and usable over time, the visible chart must be explainable through the underlying data. If that is not the case in the original chart, the data structure is adjusted during conversion. The chart looks the same, but the display and the data are made consistent again.
Complex project and timeline charts are also difficult to convert because they include many connected elements. Common components include:
During conversion, empower® transfers the many individual elements and their relationships with a high degree of precision. This ensures that the chart remains editable and that the underlying project logic is preserved.
Excel links are retained during conversion with empower®, provided the relevant Excel file is accessible at the time of conversion. This applies to locally stored files as well as Excel files stored in SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive. When access is available, the link remains intact and users can continue working with the data immediately.
More information about converting charts from specific charting software is available in our Help Center.
Even when a company uses a specialized chart add-in, not every employee has access to it. Many employees continue to work with standard PowerPoint charts. When a company-wide solution is introduced, such as through an enterprise license, those charts also need to be convertible.
The goal is not simply to make the chart look similar. The goal is to fully integrate it into the new technical environment:
This allows everyone on the team to work from a shared technical foundation.
Even the best conversion capability does not solve user adoption challenges by itself. Switching tools is also a change management process, especially for experienced users who have worked with the same charting software for years.
What works in practice is a combination of technology and structured adoption support: a planned rollout instead of an all-at-once launch, targeted support for experienced users, and specific guidance directly on the converted chart, such as notes about scaling or number formats that may have changed. empower® has implemented this approach in many enterprise projects, including projects with Bayer, DHL Post & Paket, Brose, and Evonik.
Converting existing charts is not a minor detail. It is a prerequisite for making a software switch viable. Without it, companies face friction, extra work, and user adoption challenges. With reliable conversion and professional support throughout the transition, companies can create a practical path to a successful switch.