OFF: Converting Graph Charts to Percentage Format

ID: Q143025

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Graph 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Graph 97 for Windows
Microsoft Graph for the Macintosh, version 5.0
Microsoft Graph for Windows 95, version 5.0
Microsoft Graph for Windows, version 5.0
Microsoft PowerPoint 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, version 4.0
Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 4.0c
Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, versions 4.2, 4.2.1
Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.2, 4.2c, 4.3,4.3c

SYMPTOMS

When you convert numbers to percentages in an existing Graph 5.0 chart, the resulting percentages may be much too large. For example, the number 45 will be converted to 4500%.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because of the way Graph 5.0 deals with numbers: when you type in the number 25, Graph interprets the number as 2500%; however, when you type the number .25, graph interprets the number as 25%, or one quarter.

RESOLUTION

To convert an existing column chart from the number format to the percentage format, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: To Convert the Entire Chart to the Percentage Format

 1. Double-click the numbers in the value axis (the y axis on a 2D chart or
    the z axis on a 3D chart).

 2. In the Format Axis dialog box, click the Scale tab and type "%"
    (without the quotation marks) after each of the values in the Minimum
    box, the Maximum box, the Major Unit box, the Minor Unit box, and the
    Floor Crosses At values box.

 3. Click the Number tab.

 4. In the Category list, select Percentage.

 5. Click 0% in the list of Format Codes.

 6. Click OK.

 7. On the View menu, click Datasheet.

 8. Click once in the first cell whose value you want to represent as a
    percentage.

 9. Re-enter the value in the proper format. For example, the number 20.4
    should be re-entered as .204 or as 20.4%.

10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 to change the values in all of the remaining

    cells.

The chart should now be displayed as expected.

Method 2: Append a Percent Sign

To append a percent sign to the numbers on the value axis:

1. Double-click the numbers in the value axis (the y axis on a 2D chart or

   the z axis on a 3D chart).

2. In the Format Axis dialog box, click the Number tab.

3. In the Category list, click Custom.

4. In the Code box, type the following four characters, and click OK:

      #"%"

      -or-

      0\%

   The Value Axis numbers will now appear with a percent sign next to them.

Additional query words: 4.00 powerpt powerpnt crossprod w_powerpt m_powerpt w_ppt m_ppt office 4.0a 4.0c msoffice msoff95

Keywords          : kbusage
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Hardware          : MAC x86
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 3, 1998