XL: Data Labels on Chart Appear Outside the Plot Area

ID: Q187757

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

When you display data labels on a chart, some of the data labels appear outside the plot area.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

You display the data values for the data points on a chart.
```
    -and-
```
You adjust the scale of the y axis on the chart so that the maximum value of the scale is smaller than a data value in the chart.
```
    -or-
```
You adjust the scale of the y axis on the chart so that the minimum value of the scale is larger than a data value in the chart.

When this problem occurs, the data point is not displayed, but the data value label is displayed at the top of the chart outside the plot area.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Manually Delete the Excess Data Value Labels

To work around this problem, delete the data value labels independently. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click any one of the data value labels.

   This step selects the entire data series.

2. Click any one of the data value labels that you want to delete.

   By doing this you select a single data label.

3. On the Edit menu, point to clear and click All.

   One data value label is deleted.

You must repeat this process for each data value label that you want to delete.

Method 2: Use a Macro to Delete the Excess Data Value Labels

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This method uses a macro to delete all of the data value labels that appear outside of the plot area. To use this method, you must insert a module and then type the code that follows these steps:

1. Save and close any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.

2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).

3. On the Insert menu, click Module.

Then, type the following code:

   Sub Del_Label()

       ' Detect and store the top location of plot area.
       y = ActiveChart.PlotArea.Top

       ' Loop through all labels in series one.
       For Each y_label In ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(1).DataLabels

          ' Test if label is above top of the plot area.
          If y_label.Top < y Then

             ' Select and delete a label.
             y_label.Select
             y_label.Delete
          End If
       Next y_label

   End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: XL97 XL7 XL5 wrap appear

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode kbchart 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbnofix

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999