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Step 1 - How to change the Source Data ?

There are five ways you can change the source data of a chart.

1) Overwriting the cells with different values.

2) Using the (Chart > Source Data) dialog box.

3) Using the Automatic Range Finders.

4) Editing the Series Formula.

5) Dragging individual Data Points.

Step 2 - Overwriting the Cells

When a chart is created the source data is linked to the chart object meaning that any changes to the data are reflected on the chart automatically.

Lets change the values in cells "C4" and "D7" to 0.85 and 0.92 respectively.

Step 3 - Using the (Chart > Source Data) dialog box

Displaying the (Chart > Source Data) dialog box gives you much greater control over the indidiual series on your chart.

You can modify the range reference on the Data Range tab to adjust the data range for the whole chart.

The Data range textbox displays the range of cells which is being used for the source data.

If you originally selected a single cell, then this will have been automatically expanded to the current region.

Data range - You can edit the cell range manually or you can use the mouse to highlight a different range. Using the arrow keys while in this box will actually select cells instead of moving your position within the box.

Rows - Plots the data series of the chart using each row as a separate series.

Columns - Plots the data series of the chart using each column as a separate series.

You can modify the range references for the individual series using the Series tab of this dialog box.

Series - The series list displays the names of all the data series on the chart. Selecting a particular series will display the corresponding Name and Values.

Add - Adds a new data series to the active chart.

Remove - Removes the currently selected series from the active chart.

Name - This is used in the Legend to identify the series.

Values - These are the data series values.

Category (X) axis labels - These are chart specifc and not series specific. If there is no category axis labels provided then a list of sequential numbers will be used.

Step 4 - Using the Automatic Range Finder

It is also possible to use the Automatic Range Finders to adjust the data ranges.

Marching ants border around the cell range(s).

This method is often the quickest and easiest.

It is possible to adjust the whole range or just an individual series by dragging the broder or the square in the bottom right corner.

You can even drag one of the sides to move the whole data block in one go.

For more information about the automatic range finders, please refer to the previous page.

Step 5 - Editing the Series Formula

You can edit the formula using the usual techniques.

When the source data is changed you will see that the series formula is changed automatically.

All the other methods actually are shortcuts to editing this formula manually.

For more information about editing the series formula, please refer to the next page.

Step 6 - Dragging individual Data Points

You can also drag the chart data point to change the value on the worksheet.

Step 7 - Things to Remember

It can sometimes be easier to overwrite the series name which will typically be a cell reference just to a hard types string constant contained in double quotes.

If a whole chart is selected then the "Data Range" tab will be displayed by default when you display the Source Data dialog box.

If an individual series is selected then the "Series" tab will be displayed by default when you display the Source Data dialog box.