XL: Series Data Orientation Not Saved in Custom Chart Type

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

When you save a custom chart type and apply it to a new chart, the data series and the x-axis labels revert to the defaults in Microsoft Excel.

CAUSE

Saving a custom chart type does not store whether the data series is oriented on the chart in rows or columns, or whether the x-axis labels are in the first row or first column. Therefore, if you apply the custom chart type to new data, the x-axis labels and orientation of the data series use the defaults in Microsoft Excel.

This behavior is by design in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article.

WORKAROUND

To adjust the orientation of the series after creating a custom chart, follow these steps:

1. Select the custom chart, and click the Chart Wizard button on the Standard toolbar.



2. In step 1 of the Chart Wizard, click Next.



3. If you are using Microsoft Excel 97, click the appropriate option under Series In, and then click the Series tab to specify series and x-axis label information.
   
   -or-
   
   If you are using Microsoft Excel 7.0 or 5.0, click the appropriate options in step 2 of ChartWizard.



4. Click Finish.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel only stores the layout, existence of chart components and formatting information of user-defined chart types, for example:

• Legend



• Gridlines



• Data labels



• A secondary axis



• Colors



• Patterns



• Fills



• Placement choices for various chart items



• Fonts

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbdta kbchart 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0; WINDOWS:5.0,7.0,97
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: April 18, 1999