Excel: Breaking Link Between Chart and Worksheet

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.x, 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, a chart can be "unlinked" from its corresponding worksheet by converting the references in the series formula to values.

To convert all the references in the series formula to values, do the following:

1. Make sure both documents are open.

2. Click on the series to convert.

3. Activate the formula bar by clicking in it.

4. Hold down the COMMAND key (in Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh) or the CTRL key (in Microsoft Excel for Windows or OS/2), and press the EQUAL SIGN key (=).

   Note that pressing F9 is equivalent to using these key combinations.

5. Press RETURN to enter the new unlinked formula.

To convert only some of the references to their values, select only those references in the series formula and press COMMAND+= or CONTROL+= (as in step 4 above).

NOTE: Replacing the references in the series formula with actual values may cause the length of the series formula to increase dramatically. If the length overflows the formula limit in Microsoft Excel, you will receive the "Error in formula" error message.

MORE INFORMATION

Converting references to values prevents the message "Update references to unopened documents?" from appearing when you reopen a chart without the worksheet open. It will also enable the information on the worksheet to be edited without changing previously created graphs.

For more information about using series formulas, see "Reference(s)" below for the version you are using.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 4.0, pages 445-450 "User's Guide," version 3.0 for the Macintosh, pages 441-448 "User's Guide," version 3.0 for Windows, page 441-449 "Reference," version 2.2 for the Macintosh, pages 575-580