XL97: Chart Data Labels Linked to Formulas Are Not Updated

ID: Q182999

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 97, a chart data label may not be updated when it is linked to a worksheet cell.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

A chart data label is linked to a worksheet cell.
```
    -and-
```
The worksheet cell that the data label is linked to contains a formula.
```
    -and-
```
The cell value is changed because it is recalculated.

For an example of this problem, please see the "More Information" section in this article.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, do one of the following:

1. To correct this problem, obtain and install Microsoft Office 97,

   Service Release 2 (SR-2).

   For additional information about SR-2, please see the following article
   in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

      ARTICLE-ID: Q151261
      TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-2

2. If you are unable to obtain SR-2, obtain and install the Microsoft Excel

   97 Auto recalculation Patch.

   For information about downloading and installing this patch, please see
   the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

      ARTICLE-ID: Q174868
      TITLE     : XL97: How to Obtain and the Excel 97 Auto Recalculation
                  Patch

   Or visit the following Microsoft World Wide Web site:

      http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/downloadDetails/xl8patch.htm

3. To work around this problem temporarily, press CTRL+ALT+F9.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, Service Release 2 (SR-2).

MORE INFORMATION

Example

To see an example of the problem that is described in this article, follow these steps:

 1. Start Microsoft Excel 97 and create a new workbook.

 2. Type the following data:

       A1: =RAND()   B1: =ROUND(A1+A2,2)
       A2: =RAND()   B2: =ROUND(AVERAGE(A1:A2),2)

 3. Select cells A1:A2 and start the Chart Wizard by clicking the
    Chart Wizard tool on the toolbar.

 4. In step 1 of the Chart Wizard, click the XY (Scatter) chart type
    and click Next.

 5. Click Next in step 2 of the Chart Wizard.

 6. In step 3, click the Data Labels tab, click Show Value, and then
    click Finish.

    NOTE: Pressing F9 to recalculate the sheet updates the data labels.
    This feature is called "Automatic text" and is not a formula link.

 7. Click the data label for point 1. Click the data label a second time.

    This step places the label in edit mode.

 8. Type an equal sign (=), click cell B1, and then press ENTER.

 9. Click the data label for point 2. Click the data label a second time.

    This step places the label in edit mode.

10. Type an equal sign, click cell B2, and then Press ENTER.

11. Press F9 to calculate the sheet.

    Note that the data labels have not been updated.

12. Press CTRL+ALT+F9.

    Note that the data labels have been updated.

NOTE: This example is not the only case in which this problem occurs.

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbdta kbchart xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: November 6, 1998