The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0
- Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 4.0
SYMPTOMS
If you create a chart with values from nonadjacent ranges of cells, and you
then modify the chart using the ChartWizard, the series formula reference
for the resulting chart will be modified to include cells not in the
original ranges.
For example, when you create a chart from two distinct ranges of cells
separated by a third range, and you then use the ChartWizard to modify the
chart, the cells in the third range will be included in the series formula
for the resulting chart.
WORKAROUND
To modify the range used by the ChartWizard, make the necessary changes in
the Range box in the ChartWizard Step 1 dialog box 1.
To modify your chart, do the following:
- Select the embedded chart clicking it once.
- Select the ChartWizard tool.
- The ChartWizard will display a dialog box titled "Step 1 of 2."
You can modify the reference on this dialog box to reflect the
correct reference for your chart either by selecting the ranges
you want or by changing the reference in the Range box.
Example
To Create the Chart:
- Type any information into cells A1 through C4.
- Select cells A1:A4 by dragging with the mouse, then hold down the CTRL
key and select cells C1:C4. You will have two nonadjacent selections.
- Select the ChartWizard tool (it's the button with the chart and magic
wand on it). Starting at cell A5, hold down the left mouse button, drag
down and to the right, then release the mouse button to start the
ChartWizard.
- Notice the reference in the Range box on the dialog box that is
displayed. It will read $A$1:$A$4,$C$1:$C$4. This is two range
references separated by a comma.
- Step through the ChartWizard by choosing Next in each of the subsequent
dialog boxes. In the last dialog box, choose OK.
The ChartWizard will place an embedded chart on your worksheet.
To change the chart
- Choose the ChartWizard tool.
Note that the displayed Reference is $A$1:$C$4 (a single range that
contains both of the originally selected ranges, but also includes the
cells in between).
- To restore the original reference, replace $A$1:C$4 with the following:
$A$1:$A$4,$C$1:$C$4.
- Choose Next to cycle through the rest of the ChartWizard dialog boxes.
STATUS
This behavior by design of Microsoft Excel.