Excel: Creating a Chart from Noncontiguous Data

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q61426

SUMMARY

A chart can be created in Microsoft Excel from noncontiguous data. To create a chart from noncontiguous data, do the following:

  1. Select the first block of cells that contains data to be charted.

  2. Hold down the COMMAND key and select the next block of cells that contains data to be charted.

  3. Repeat step 2 until all noncontiguous data has been selected.

  4. From the File menu, choose New, and select Chart.

To create a chart in Microsoft Excel from noncontiguous data by using the Copy and Paste or Paste Special commands, do the following:

  1. Select the first block of cells that contains data to be charted.

  2. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

  3. Select a cell in a remote area of the worksheet; for example, $AA$1.

  4. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Link. This creates a link to the original data.

  5. Select the next block of data to be charted.

  6. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

  7. Select the cell to the right of the Paste Link information. For example, if you chose $AA$1 in step 3, select $AB$1.

  8. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Link. This creates a link to the original data.

  9. Repeat steps 5-8 for all remaining blocks of data.

    Note: It is important to Paste Link the information into a single, continuous block of data.

  10. Create a chart with this continuous block of data.

Since the values in the continuous block of data are linked to the original values, any changes made to the original values will be reflected on the chart.

MORE INFORMATION

Excel stores information in the Clipboard in the format "nR x nC," where "nR" is the number of rows and "nC" is the number of columns. This information must be organized in a continuous block of data.

To control the way information is charted in Excel, you must use the Copy command in conjunction with the Paste Special command. Because a noncontiguous block of data cannot be copied or cut, the data must be relocated into a continuous block.

It is possible to create a scatter (X-Y) chart using discontinuous data in Excel version 2.2. Query on "Excel Scatter Discontinuous" for more information.

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
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