Excel: Controlling Category/Series Orientation for Charts

ID: Q83814

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 2.21 3.0

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel makes certain assumptions when it creates a chart from data on a worksheet.

If there are more rows than columns selected, the values are assumed to be in columns (each column is a data series). If text or dates are located in the first row, they are interpreted as series names. If there are text or dates in the first column, they are interpreted as categories.

If there are more columns than rows selected, values are assumed to be in rows. If text or dates are located in the first column, they are interpreted as series names. If there are text or dates in the first row, they are interpreted as categories.

To control the way that Excel interprets worksheet data when you create a chart, use the following procedure:

Select the worksheet data to be charted.

From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

From the File menu, choose New, and select Chart. A blank chart will appear on the screen.

From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special.

Select the options desired (for example, "Values in Rows or Columns", "Series Names in First Column or First Row", "Categories in First Row or First Column").

Choose the OK button.

In Microsoft Excel 3.0, you can embed charts within worksheets by using the chart tool in the toolbar or by copying and pasting a chart into a worksheet. Use the following procedure to control category/series orientation for an embedded chart:

Select a blank cell.

Select the chart tool and create an embedded chart (it will appear blank).

Select the worksheet data to be charted and choose Copy from the Edit menu.

Double-click the blank embedded chart to bring the chart up in a window.

Choose Paste Special from the Edit menu.

Select the options desired (for example, "Values in Rows or Columns", "Series Names in First Column or First Row", "Categories in First Row or First Column") and choose OK.

Close the chart window to update the embedded the chart.

An alternative workaround would be to create the chart in its own window first with the first procedure and then copy and paste it onto a worksheet.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide" for the Macintosh, version 3.0, pages 406-407

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide" for Windows, version 3.0, pages 406-407

Additional query words: 1.00 2.00 4.00a


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Last Reviewed: March 24, 1999