XL97: Error Editing Chart Linked to Closed Workbook

ID: Q161474

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to edit a series on a chart that is linked to a closed workbook, the following error message may appear:

   Reference is not valid. Reference must be to an open worksheet.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

On the Chart menu, you click Source Data.
```
    -or-
```
You proceed to step 2 of the Chart Wizard.
```
    -and-
```
You click the Series tab and attempt to select an option.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, follow these steps to open the source workbook:

1. On the Edit menu, click Links.

2. Select the appropriate source file, and then click Open Source.

You can update the data series using either the Source Data command or the Chart Wizard.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

When you close the workbook and use the Chart Wizard, some functionality, such as changing the chart type, is not available. Note that you cannot use the Source Data command on the Chart menu. If you do so, the error message described in this article repeatedly appears.

REFERENCES

For more information about charting, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   charts, creating

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Create a chart (Microsoft Excel)" topic.

Additional query words: XL97 8.00

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbtool kbualink97 kbchart
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: October 31, 1998